C205 – Sacramental Theology David A. Stosur, Ph.D.
St. Bernard’s School of Theology & Ministry 271-3657 x299
Spring 2007 (Thursdays 6:30-9:30pm) dstosur@stbernards.edu
Course Description and Objectives:
The Christian sacraments in relation to their anthropological roots, foundation in Christ, church history and developing theology.
Course Requirements:
Readings:
Louis-Marie Chauvet, The Sacraments: The Word of God at the Mercy of the Body (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2001).
Susan A. Ross, Extravagant Affections: A Feminist Sacramental Theology (New York: Continuum, 1998).
Mark Searle, Called to Participate: Theological, Ritual, and Social Perspectives (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2006)
Herbert Vorgrimler, Sacramental Theology (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1992).
Students should obtain the required readings above. Other required and recommended readings are listed in the course schedule below, including Regis Duffy, ed., Alternative Futures for Worship, Volume 1: General Introduction (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1987) [=AFW, out of print—chapters available in online and shelf reserve]; sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church [=CCC, online at http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm] and World Council of Churches, Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry Faith and Order Paper No. 111 (1982)[=BEM online at: http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/bem1.html].
Class Participation: Students will have read the assigned materials, and will come to class prepared to answer the following questions:
· What new information did you learn from the material?
· What are the themes/issues emphasized?
· What aspects of/context for the reading were unclear or require further explanation? To what sources did you turn for clarification?
· Did the author present anything from a point of view new to you (consider cultural, racial/ethnic, religious, and gender diversity)?
· Do you disagree with any of the author's arguments? Why?
· What implications does the reading have for sacramental practice and theology and for Christian life?
The class time will be spent with material presented by the instructor and in dialogue over these questions and others that emerge in the course of reading and discussing the material. Since significant class time will be dedicated to discussion of the readings, it is essential that the assigned material be read before each class. Attendance at every class meeting is expected. Each unexcused absence and any absence from more than two class meetings will adversely affect the class participation grade.
Written Assignments:
Discussion Papers (2): Two-pages each, first half-page consisting of three to five bulleted items highlighting significant points from the reading, remainder consisting of a double-spaced theological/pastoral reflection on one of the issues highlighted. (See “class participation” for appropriate types of theological/pastoral reflection questions.) Copies to be distributed to all class members. Assignments/due dates will be decided the first day of class.
Book Review (10 pages double-spaced). Book review of Susan Ross’s Extravagant Affections. In addition to including a brief summary of the book (description of chapters and main points of each—no more than five pages), one or two of the points described should be developed and critiqued, demonstrating appropriation of the book’s message and of other material read for the course. Due March 22.
Final Take-Home Exam (10 pages double-spaced, plus bibliography and footnotes where appropriate). On the basis of the historical, cultural and theological principles presented through course readings, instruction and discussion, a written critique of a given definition of sacrament. With this critique in mind, students will conclude with a definition of sacrament (no more than 150 words) that they would present to a parish adult education session on sacraments.
Due Monday April 23.
Course Instructional Methods: The methods utilized to help involve the students in the learning process include: lectures to provide material supplementary to the readings; a seminar-style of class discussion and participation (see class procedure and presentations, above); and written assignments that help to integrate the course material and provide a basis for self-assessment of learning.
Course Outcomes: Successful completion of the requirements for this particular course will provide the student with the following specific competencies:
· A graduate-level familiarity with historical and contemporary principles of sacramental theology, with those of the Second Vatican Council as a standard;
· A critical appreciation of the plurality in sacramental practices and theologies through the centuries, with a primary but not exclusive focus on the Roman Catholic tradition;
· An ability to reflect theologically on the various approaches to contemporary pastoral issues concerning sacraments, with an appreciation of the contributions the social sciences can make in focusing these issues;
· A fuller appreciation of the place of sacramental theology in integrating various theological disciplines, in particular Christology, pneumatology and ecclesiology;
· An appreciation of the theological trends in the 20th Century leading to and stemming from the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and their place in the development of contemporary sacramental understanding;
· An introduction to a method for approaching the liturgical texts of the sacraments in their present form with a view to interpreting and implementing it on a firm theological and pastoral basis;
· An ability to reflect critically, theologically, ethically and spiritually on sacramental principles, texts and practices in a global, ecumenical, multi- and inter-cultural context;
· Improvement of skills in written and oral expression.
Methods of Assessment: The student's performance will be assessed on the basis of critical attentiveness to and integration of assigned readings and material presented in class, and on the quality of the student's written and oral expression. Evidence of these criteria is to be given by the student as appropriate to the various course requirements:
· reading assignments/class participation (20% of final grade)
· discussion papers (30% of final grade – 15% each)
· book review (25% of final grade)
· final examination (25% of final grade)
Course Schedule and Reading Assignments:
(All required readings, except for the purchased texts, are on reserve at St. Bernard’s and online.)
Jan 18 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Read: Searle, 1-88
Read: AFW, 63-121 (Philibert chapter)
Chauvet, ix-17
Recommended Reading:
Feb 1 Read: Chauvet, 19-42
Vorgrimler, 1-42
Recommended Reading:
Catechism of the Catholic Church [=CCC], ##1066-1209.
Feb 8 Read: Vorgrimler, 43-93
“The Sacraments,” Ch. 8 in Alister E. McGrath, ed., The Christian Theology Reader, 2nd ed. (Oxford: Blackwell, 2001) 514-570 (Excerpts from various theologians)
Recommended Reading:
Vatican Council II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
(esp. ##1-14, 21-37, 47-56, 59-82, 102-111)
Feb 15 Read: AFW, 123-174 (Kilmartin chapter)
Peter Fink, “Sacramental Theology after Vatican II,” The New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship, 1107-1114
Chauvet, 43-66
Read: Vorgrimler, 102-118
Mark Searle, “Infant Baptism Reconsidered” in Anne Y. Koester and Barbara Searle, eds., Vision: The Scholarly Contributions of Mark Searle to Liturgical Renewal (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2004) 142-180.
“Baptism” in BEM
Recommended Reading:
CCC ##1210-1284
Mar 1 Read: Vorgrimler, 122-130
Chauvet, 67-114
Recommended Reading:
Mark Searle, “Confirmation: The State of the Question” Church (Winter 1985) 15-22.
CCC ##1285-1321
Read: Vorgrimler, 132-196
Recommended Reading:
Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, “Eucharist and Community in First Corinthians," Worship 50 (1976): 370-85 (Part I) and Worship 51 (1977): 56-69 (Part II) [reprinted in R. Kevin Seasoltz, ed. Living Bread, Saving Cup, 2nd ed. (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1987), 1-30]
Mar 15 Read: David Power, “Words That Crack: The Uses of ‘Sacrifice’ in Eucharistic Discourse” in R. Kevin Seasoltz, ed. Living Bread, Saving Cup, 2nd ed. (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1987), 157-175.
“Eucharist” in BEM
Chauvet, 115-152
Recommended Reading:
CCC ##1322-1419
Mar 22 SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (RECONCILIATION)
Read: Vorgrimler, 200-222
Book Review due.
Recommended Reading:
CCC ##1420-1498
Peter Fink, “Reconciliation and Forgiveness: A Theological Reflection” and “History of the Sacrament of Reconciliation” in idem, ed., Alternative Futures for Worship, vol. 4: Reconciliation (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1987) 43-89.
Read: Vorgrimler, 226-235
Chauvet, 173-200
Recommended Reading:
CCC ##11499-1532
Jennifer Glen, “Rites of Healing: A Reflection in Pastoral Theology” in Peter Fink, ed., Alternative Futures for Worship, vol. 7: Anointing of the Sick (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1987) 33-63.
Walter Cuenin, “History of Anointing and Healing in the Church” in ibid., 65-81.
Read: Vorgrimler, 237-278
CCC ##1533-1600
“Ministry” in BEM
Chauvet, 155-169
Recommended Reading:
David Coffey, “The Common and the Ordained Priesthood,” Theological Studies 58 (1997): 209-236.
James D. Whitehead, “Christian Images of Community: Power and Leadership” in Michael Cowan, ed. Alternative Futures for Worship, vol. 6: Leadership Ministry in Community (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1987) 23-37.
Evelyn Eaton Whitehead, “Leadership and Power: A View from the Social Sciences” in ibid., 39-68.
Read: Vorgrimler, 283-319
Mark Searle and Kenneth W. Stevenson, “Marriage Rites as Documents of Faith” in Documents of the Marriage Liturgy (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1992), 252-271
Recommended Reading:
CCC ##1601-1690
Book of Blessings, “General Introduction” in The Liturgy Documents: A Parish Resource, vol. 2 (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1999) 345-362
Apr 23 (Monday) Take Home Exam due.
Selected Bibliography: (a bibliography supplemental to the readings listed in the outline will be provided in class)
Chauvet, Louis-Marie. Symbol and Sacrament: A Sacramental Reinterpretation of Christian Existence. Trans. Patrick Madigan and Madeleine Beaumont. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1995.
Cooke, Bernard. Sacraments and Sacramentality, rev. ed. Mystic, CT: Twenty-third Publications, 1994.
Duffy, Regis A. Real Presence: Worship, Sacraments, and Commitment. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1982.
----------. "Sacraments in General" in Francis Schüssler Fiorenza & John P Galvin, ed. Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives, ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1991. Pp. 183-210.
Ganoczy, Alexandre. An Introduction to Catholic Sacramental Theology. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.
Gelpi, Donald L. Committed Worship: A Sacramental Theology for Converting Christians, 2 vols. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1993.
Guzie, Tad. The Book of Sacramental Basics. New York/Ramsey: Paulist Press, 1981.
Fink, Peter E., ed. The New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 199o.
Hellwig, Monika. The Meaning of the Sacraments. Dayton, OH: Pflaum/Standard, 1972.
Hughes, Kathleen. Saying Amen: A Mystagogy of Sacrament. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1999.
Kilmartin, Edward. Christian Liturgy: Theology and Practice. Kansas City: Sheed & Ward, 1988.
Lawler, Michael G. Symbol and Sacrament: A Contemporary Sacramental Theology. New York/Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1987.
Martimort, A.G., ed. The Church at Prayer, vol.2: The Sacraments, new ed. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1988.
Martos, Joseph. Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to sacraments in the Catholic Church, expanded ed. Tarrytown, NY: Triumph Books, 1981, 1982, 1991.
Osborne, Kenan B. Christian Sacraments in a Postmodern World: A Theology for the Third Millenium. New York/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1999.
----------. Sacramental Theology: A General Introduction. New York: Paulist Press, 1988.
Power, David N. Sacrament: The Language of God’s Giving. New York: Crossroad, 1999.
----------. Unsearchable Riches: The Symbolic Nature of Liturgy. New York: Pueblo, 1984.
Rahner, Karl. The Church and the Sacraments, Quaestiones disputae 9. New York: Herder & Herder, 1963).
----------. Theological Investigations, Vol. 4: More Recent Writings (New York: Crossroad, 1966). See the essay "The Theology of the Symbol.”
Schanz, John P. Introduction to the Sacraments. New York: Pueblo, 1983.
Schillebeeckx, Edward. Christ the Sacrament of the Encounter with God. Trans. Paul Barrett. New York: Sheed & Ward, 1963.
Segundo, Juan Luis. The Sacraments Today. New York: Maryknoll, 1974.
Skelley, Michael. The Liturgy of the World: Karl Rahner’s Theology of Worship. Colllegeville: Liturgical Press, 1991.
Smolarski, Dennis. Sacred Mysteries: Sacramental Principles and Liturgical Practice. New York: Paulist Press, 1995.
Taylor, Michael J., ed. The Sacraments: Readings in Contemporary Sacramental Theology. New York: Alba House, 1981.
Vaillancourt, Raymond. Toward a Renewal of Sacramental Theology. Trans. Matthew J. O’Connell. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1979.
Worgul, George S. From Magic to Metaphor: A Validation of the Christian Sacraments. New York/Ramsey: Paulist press, 1980.