Fundamental Theology: Revelation & Faith

Course Description:

General Goals and Objectives:

      To introduce the students to the specificity and tasks of Fundamental Theology and to the basic foundation of all Christian theology - God’s self-communication to human beings in Jesus Christ (Revelation), it’s transmission through Scripture and Tradition and the role of the Magisterium as an indispensable servant of the revealed-Word.

      To gain a sound understanding of how we respond to that revelation through both faith and reason, and a better grasp of the nature of faith, its qualities and necessity for our salvation

Course Syllabus

After looking at the nature and task of Fundamental Theology today, the course will look at some of the issues related to the structures and dynamics of revelation. The course then also will give an overview and quality of “revelation outside of Christianity,” in particular in African Traditional Religions. Then it will offer an introduction to contemporary theologies of revelation, beginning with revelation in Hebrew Scriptures, in the New Testament, and revelation in the history of theology up to the present day. The heart of the course will be the study of Vatican II’s Dei Verbum giving special attention to the relationship between Revelation, Scripture and Tradition, as well as examining the role of the Magisterium in safeguarding and transmitting revelation.

Then the course will look at the response to divine revelation, namely faith. It shall study the relationship between faith and reason, the act of faith, the qualities of faith and the necessity of faith for salvation.

Specific Goals:

1.      To introduce the student to the basic foundations of Christian Theology: Revelation & Faith

2.      To help the student to grasp the importance and components of Tradition in the Church

3.      To give the student sufficient grounding to begin the study of theology: faith seeking understanding

Specific Learning Outcomes:

After completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Understand the uniqueness of Christian Revelation and how this revelation is transmitted today
2. Grasp better the mystery of faith and the importance of faith for doing theology
3.  Be better equipped to “give answer to the hope that they have in them” (cf. 1 Pet 3:15)