Full course description
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The Vatican II Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium proposes to “set forth” the “mystery” of the Church (LG 39; cf. 1-8). This way of speaking raises the question: in what sense is the Church a “mystery”? Ecclesiology seeks to facilitate a deeper appreciation of the Church as a “mystery” from several points of view. Most basically, what is the “mystery” of the Church? How is this mystery reflected in the way Scripture speaks of the people of God? How is it related to the central mysteries of Christian faith? How is it nurtured and expressed by the Church’s worship? How might an understanding of the Church as a mystery inform how we think about the Church as a community, about the Church’s mission, and about the Church’s ultimate destiny?
What is the “mystery” of the Church? How is this mystery reflected in the Scriptures? How is it nurtured and expressed by the Church’s worship? How does this form our understanding of the Church’s mission?
Course Content
Unit 1: What Is the Church?
Unit 2: The Church and Worship
Unit 3: The Church as Community
Unit 4: The Church in and for the World
Unit 5: The End of the Church
Course Format
- Six weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
- Up to 20 students in each course.
- Text based lectures.
- Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration, internet links provided for all readings.
- Written assignments (200-250) required.
- Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.
Participation Requirements
- Read the lecture for each unit.
- Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
- Answer weekly discussion question.
- Respond to weekly unit assignment.
- Attend weekly Zoom for each unit. If you cannot attend, you can still meet the participation requirements.
- Complete the course evaluation.
Time Expectations
3 to 5 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.
Course Certificate
An electronic certificate of completion awarding 30 contact hours will be available in course when completing all course requirements.
Area: Catholic Doctrine