Theology
Modus Operandi
In Theology, the primary focus is upon the text. We spend the majority of our time reading the scriptures, catechism, or other texts, pausing for discussion, further context, and apologetic and moral insights. Theology also has a strong writing component, writing essays on he apologetics thread that always exists in Theology, and encomiums on the various parts of scripture.
Catechesis
Students will read the Baltimore Catechism, cover to cover. The teacher will make frequent use of the current, universal Catechism of the Church to develop the shorter answers the Baltimore Catechism gives to questions. While not the primary focus of the course, the teacher will occasionally challenge certain assertions of the Catechism and ask students to use the “tools” previously acquired in the Catechism to answer the objections or resolve the difficulties given by the teacher. This aspect of the course will be students’ brief introduction to apologetics.
Old Testament
Students will begin reading the story of Salvation History, and the teacher will help the students see the story of Scripture through the eyes of God’s faithful at the time in which that aspect of the story was given. While the course will focus on the Pentateuch and the subsequent historical Old Testament books, selections from the major and minor prophets will also be read. Certain persons, sacred edifices/objects, etc. will be noted as being of recurring importance.
New Testament
Having completed the Old Testament, students will discover the significance of the Incarnation, the Ministry, the Death, and Resurrection of the God-man, Jesus Christ through the Synoptic Gospels, the Book of Acts, and the Pauline Epistles. Recurring themes will be highlighted so that students will better understand the salvific message Christ gives to the disciples, not just in antiquity, but also today.
Prophets
In the Prophets semester we return to the Old Testament where we encounter the major and minor Prophets, as well as the books of Tobit, Judith, and Esther. The Prophets prompt us to consider the Covenant and how we are living it as a community and as individuals. The Prophets illuminate the life and ministry of Christ while also aiding us in gaining a deeper understanding of right relationship with ourselves, others, and God.
Wisdom
In the Wisdom semester we prayerfully study the Psalms and Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament, the Catholic Epistles, John’s Gospel and Letters, and the Book of Revelation. Here we will be diving into the deepest parts of scripture, planning to read and appreciate these texts as guides for right living, for prayer, and for Christological reflection. A special focus will be on the Church Father’s interpretation of these works , providing students with paradigms and resources by which they can faithfully and accurately interpret these writings and other biblical texts.
The Devout Life
In this part of the Theology track, students move beyond the Scriptures, focusing on the spiritual writings of the saints and doctors of the church. There is a great depth to the spiritual life, and through these works the boys can reflect on that depth. Special attention will be paid to the writings of St. Francis De Sales, St. Benedict, and the Carmelite mystics (e.g. St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, etc.).
Theology
There is a great difficulty in “doing” Theology instead of merely reading Theology. The Science of Theology is a difficult one but essential to understand so we do not get trapped into confusing theological inquiry with catechetical truth. In this course the boys learn how Theology is done (and not done) by considering various Theological issues through the writings of various theologians from Church Fathers to ancient heretics. By the end of the course they will understand the legitimate diversity of thought that exists in the doctors of the church and understand how one should approach a Theological question.
Theology is a science. To study any science well, one must know its principles, and one must have meaningful, direct encounters with its subject matter. Before one can reach the heights of theology, one must begin with the Church's catechisms, which present the basic principles of theology to students, and the Sacred Scriptures, which, together with Sacred Tradition, provide the subject matter.
Our Theology track starts with a catechetical semester utilizing both the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Baltimore Catechism, and then it moves into (venerable translations of) the Old and New Testaments. Taking the Church Fathers as our model, students learn to read Scripture according to the manner in which the Church intends for her members. In the last portions of the track, we move beyond the Scriptures, focusing on the saints' recommendations for how one can grow in the spiritual life, and then finally reflect on the theological discipline itself, looking at the contributions of the Church Fathers, Doctors, Pontiffs, and Councils (along with their enemies') to see how theology has been and can be "done" well or poorly.
If the Son of God had to descend from the bosom of His Father to initiate us into this teaching, could we expect anything else than the revelation of the deepest mysteries locked up in God’s heart?