Assessment

Quizzes 40% + Oral Exam 60%

Module Aims

This module will (1) introduce learners to the theological sub-discipline of missiology and its major themes, (2) familiarize learners with the Catholic Church’s ecumenical and inter-religious engagements, and (3) develop in learners an understanding of the missionary and dialogical components of Christian service.

Indicative Syllabus

• Theological principles of soteriology, mission, and evangelization
• History of missions and evangelization
• New Evangelization
• Nostra Aetate and Inter-religious Dialogue
• Jewish-Christian and Muslim-Christian dialogues
• Christian Buddhist/Hindu dialogue
• Principles and practice of ecumenism
• The Reformation
• Eastern Christianity

Learning Outcomes

• — (Comprehension) Explain the theories, methods, and concepts pertaining to missiology, ecumenism, and inter-religious dialogue.
• — (Comprehension) Discuss some of the key differences in doctrine and praxis among those of other religions and Christian denominations .
• — (Comprehension) Explain some of the historical factors that led to Christian divisions.
• — (Know-how) Engage concretely in different kinds of dialogue, whether ecumenical or inter-religious.
• — (Competence–Insight) express the compatibility between dialogue, both ecumenical and inter-religious, and fundamental ecclesiological and soteriological principles.

Bibliography

• — Vatican Council II. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, 1964.
• — Vatican Council II. Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, 1964.
• — Vatican Council II. Decree on Missionary Activity, Ad Gentes, 1965.
• — Vatican Council II. Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, 1965.
• — Baima, Thomas A. “Understanding Nostra Aetate in Our Times: On Its Doctrinal Significance.” Josephinum Journal of Theology 22 (2015): 227-248.
• — Cassidy, Edward I. Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue: Unitatis Redintegratio, Nostra Aetate. New York: Paulist Press, 2005.
• — D’Costa, Gavin. “Interreligious Dialogue.” In The Blackwell Companion to Catholicism, edited James J Buckley et al, 449-462. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2005.
• — O’Donovan, Jo. Understanding Differently: Christianity and the World Religions. Dublin: Veritas, 2012.
• — Root, Michael. “Ecumenism.” In The Blackwell Companion to Catholicism, edited by James J Buckley et al., 432-448. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2005.