Undergraduate Catalog 2021-2022 | Page 292

Course Name
Long Title
Min Credits
Description
Requisites
RS-102
Introduction to the New Testament
3
Situating New Testament books within covenantal expectations is established as a foundation . The various genres of New Testament literature are explored , such as gospel writing , letters , and apocalyptic and theological history . Religious motifs from the various genres are selected for deeper analysis , such as justification in the Pauline letters .
RS-105
Life and Meaning of Jesus
3
RS-111
History of Christianity
3
RS-112
Sacraments and Spirituality
3
RS-115
World Religions
3
RS-120
Contemporary Moral Problems
3
RS-147
Christian Faith
3
A portrait of the historical Jesus provides the foundation for the course . From this basis , various theological doctrines are studied , such as the nature of resurrection , explanations of redemption and salvation and the ecumenical implications of Christological statements . The course examines the development of Christianity from after the New Testament period until the present century . It will focus upon the major events , persons , and doctrines that have shaped this development and which also explain the current situation of separated churches within Christianity . The relationship between the Christian spiritual life and the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church is examined . The differences between Protestant and Roman Catholic understandings of sacraments are explored for ecumenical implications . The course concludes with the implications of sacramental life for moral decisionmaking . The six major religions of the world , Hinduism , Buddhism , Judaism , Christianity , Islam and the Chinese religions are examined in a comparative manner . The course focuses on the historical developments of each religion and their respective treatments of common themes , such as sacred literature , moral behavior , salvation motifs and the role of prophetic figures . The basic principles of Christian moral decision-making and their application to current issues are examined . Some contemporary moral issues discussed include sexual behavior , racism , sexism , just war theories , capital punishment , among others . This course examines the features of religious faith that are common to Protestant and Catholic Christianity . Basic Christian beliefs , characteristics of adult faith development , commitment to one ' s Christian faith in a contemporary world are treated in an ecumenically sensitive manner .