the Master of arts in BiBlical theology at JOHN PAUL c a t h o l i c u n i v e r s i t y

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1 the Master of Arts in Biblical Theology at JOHN PAUL c a t h o l i c u n i v e r s i t y

2 Impact Culture for Christ Our Vision To impact our culture for Christ by graduating future teachers, scholars, catechists and clergy formed by prayerful and rigorous study of the Word of God, in faithful service to the Church.

3 Table of Contents Why Biblical Theology? Fidelity to the Catholic Tradition Biblical Languages St. Thomas Aquinas Academic Rigor Curriculum Formation for Evangelization Prayerful Study Featured Faculty Technology and elearning Saint Paul Preaching in Athens Raphael 1515

4 Why Biblical Theology? King David Peter Paul Rubens c What s unique about the Biblical Theology program at JP Catholic? Many degree programs in Catholic theology offer few courses in Sacred Scripture, while programs focusing on in-depth Biblical studies rarely offer courses in Catholic theology. At JP Catholic, we rigorously integrate both disciplines. The M.A. Program in Biblical Theology at JP Catholic seeks to faithfully implement the vision for theological formation articulated by the Second Vatican Council: The study of the sacred page is... the soul of theology (Dei Verbum 24). More recently, this aspect of the Council s teaching has been further emphasized by Pope Benedict XVI, who has further emphasized both the central role the study of Scripture should have in theology as well as the need for theological interpretation of the Bible. [W]here exegesis is not theology, Scripture cannot be the soul of theology, and conversely, where theology is not essentially the interpretation of the Church s Scripture, such a theology no longer has a foundation. Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini 35 (September 30, 2010) 2

5 Fidelity to the Catholic Tradition Christ Pantocrator: Initial Detail Codex Bruchsal c Our program approaches Scripture and Theology in a way that is faithful to Catholic tradition and the magisterial documents of the Church. In his apostolic exhortation Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI urges Scripture scholars to pay attention to the theological dimensions of the Biblical texts, in addition to historical-critical methodology. Our program attends to the three criteria of interpretation described by the Second Vatican Council: (1) the content and unity of Scripture, (2) the Church s living tradition, and (3) the analogy of faith (cf. Dei Verbum 12). At JP Catholic we are enthusiastic about engaging contemporary scholarship in a way that is fully formed by Catholic teaching and interpretive principles. John Paul the Great Catholic University, in conformity with the norms of Ex Corde Ecclesiae (II, 4, 3) set out by Blessed Pope John Paul II, requires all theology faculty to be faithful to the Magisterium of the Church as the authentic interpreter of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. 3

6 Biblical Languages Beginning of the Gospel of Matthew Codex Harleianus c Any serious attempt at rigorous and thorough study of Sacred Scripture must involve learning how to read it in its original languages. In our program, you ll develop a basic facility in Classical Hebrew and New Testament (Κοινή or Koine), thus gaining the ability to read the biblical texts as they were originally written, bypassing the filter of centuries of translations. This will help you discover literary devices such as word-plays and rhyming schemes necessary to fully understand the meaning intended by the sacred writers. Knowledge of these ancient languages will also lead to greater familiarity with the cultures and civilizations of biblical times. Hence it is most proper that Professors of Sacred Scripture and theologians should master those tongues in which the sacred Books were originally written; and it would be well that Church students also should cultivate them, more especially those who aspire to academic degrees. Pope Leo XIII, Providentissimus Deus 17 (November 18, 1893) 4

7 St. Thomas Aquinas St. Thomas Aquinas Carlo Crivelli 15th century In approaching the study of Scripture and Theology, you will be trained in the writings of the fathers and doctors of the Church. In particular, students graduate with a thorough formation in the philosophy and theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, the saint whom the Church calls its Common Doctor. In his landmark encyclical, Fides et Ratio, Blessed John Paul II said, In his thinking the demands of reason and the power of faith found the most elevated synthesis ever attained by human thought... (no. 78). Given that our school is named after this pope, it should be no surprise we take this endorsement of St. Thomas seriously. In your courses you will be guided through works of St. Thomas, such as his Summa Theologica and his commentaries on Scripture. Theological training is to be... imparted in the light of the faith and under the guidance of the magisterium.... There are to be classes in dogmatic theology which are always to be based upon the written word of God along with sacred tradition... with St. Thomas as their teacher in a special way. Code of Canon Law 252, 1, 3 5

8 Academic Rigor Saint Paul Writing His Epistles Valentin de Boulogne c Our program offers a unique integration of the various branches of theology with a heavy concentration in the study of Sacred Scripture. Whereas most theology programs offer little more than basic introductory classes in the Old and New Testaments, our program involves courses in all of the major categories of biblical literature. Students gradually move through the various books of the Bible, carefully examining the historical, literary, and theological issues involved in understanding them and applying their lessons today. Likewise, whereas most graduate biblical studies programs offer their students little in terms of theological formation, you will take courses in the major branches of Catholic systematic and moral theology. Our curriculum is rigorous and thorough, including formation in Biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek). Throughout it all, emphasis is put on academic excellence. [T]he Holy Spirit has, with admirable wisdom and care for our welfare, so arranged the Holy Scriptures as by the plainer passages to satisfy our hunger, and by the more obscure to stimulate our appetite. St. Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, 2, 6, 8 6

9 Curriculum Supper at Emmaus (Milan) Caravaggio 1606 Scripture Courses Biblical Hermeneutics Pentateuch Historical Books of the Old Testament Prophets Psalms and Wisdom Literature Synoptic Gospels and Acts of the Apostles Johannine Literature Pauline Epistles Catholic Epistles and Hebrews Apocalyptic Literature Biblical Hebrew I & II New Testament Greek I & II Theology Courses Fundamental Theology Trinity and the Divine Economy Christology and Soteriology Ecclesiology and Eschatology Liturgical Theology Moral Theology and Ethics Contemporary Theological Debates Practicum I & II 7

10 Formation for Evangelization The Sermon of the Beatitudes James Tissot Most students who enroll in theology programs have teaching as part of their long term goal. Unfortunately, many programs fail to offer students comprehensive training in how to teach theology. At JP Catholic we take forming teachers seriously. To that end, students not only prepare presentations of their own for courses and extracurricular events, they are also immersed in the experience of teaching through practicum courses. In these courses students develop and advance their abilities by teaching complete classes themselves, organizing their presentations, managing a curriculum, and improving their communication skills. The practicum experience is not simply for students taking courses on campus but is also a requirement for distance students. While being directed by a professor and following other requirements, you can teach a class or lead a Bible study at a parish or location in your own area. [A]n exploration and exposition of the divine writings... should be so done that as many ministers of the divine word as possible will be able effectively to provide the nourishment of the Scriptures for the people of God, to enlighten their minds, strengthen their wills, and set men s hearts on fire with the love of God. Second Vatican Council, Dei Verbum 25 (November 18, 1965) 8

11 Prayerful Study The Last Supper Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret 1896 Students at John Paul the Great Catholic University aim to integrate academic research and study with prayer. The celebration of the Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Eucharistic adoration are all part of daily life on campus. Numerous priests are available for personal spiritual direction and formation if so desired. You can be involved within the dynamic Catholic community on campus as well as a robust young adult Catholic community in the Diocese of San Diego. For all students, whether you study on campus or online, knowing that your classmates and professors recognize the importance of deepening the interior life will affirm and enhance your personal spiritual growth. As well as learning the original languages in which the Bible was written and suitable methods of interpretation, students need to have a deep spiritual life, in order to appreciate that the Scripture can only be understood if it is lived. Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini 47 (September 30, 2010) 9

12 Featured Faculty Dr. Michael Barber Michael Barber received his Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary, writing a doctoral dissertation, entitled The Historical Jesus and Cultic Restoration Eschatology: The New Temple, the New Priesthood and the New Cult. This study focused on bridging the fields of biblical studies, especially Gospel studies, and systematic theology, particularly sacramental theology and eschatology. He earned his M.A. in Theology from Franciscan University and his B.A. in Theology and Philosophy from Azusa Pacific University, where he minored in New Testament Greek. Dr. Barber is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and is a Senior Fellow for the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. In addition to his scholarly work, Dr. Barber has written a number of popular theology books on biblical topics, hosts a weekly radio show, and writes at TheSacredPage.com. 10 Dr. Christine Wood Christine Wood received her Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Marquette University, Milwaukee. Her dissertation was titled The Metaphysics and Intellective Psychology in the Natural Desire for Seeing God: Henri de Lubac and Neo-Scholasticism. She earned her M.A. in Theology, as well as a Certification in Catechetics, from Franciscan University of Steuben ville. She teaches courses in Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology including Introduction to Scripture, Fundamental Theology, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, and Moral Theology, amongst others. Christine has also delivered guest lectures on topics such as The Gospel of Mark Through the Eyes of a Catechumen, The Transcendentals of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, and the Mystery of Christ, The New Evangelization and Catechesis and Post-modernism and the New Evangelization.

13 Father Andrew Younan Father Andrew Younan received his B.A. in Philosophy from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit in 2001, and then went on to the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology to receive M. A. Degrees in Philosophy and Theology in 2004, with honors for his thesis The Mesopotamian School and Theodore of Mopsuestia. Since his ordination to the priesthood in the Chaldean Catholic Church, Fr. Younan has published his thesis as well as two translations of Chaldean prayers, New Babylon Prayer Book and The Book of Before & After. In addition to teaching at JP Catholic, Fr. Andrew serves as Rector of the Seminary of Mar Abba the Great, the seminary of the Catholic Diocese of St. Peter the Apostle for Chaldeans & Assyrians, and is the Parochial Vicar of St. Peter Chaldean Cathedral. Distinguished Visiting Faculty In addition to the regular faculty, students also benefit from learning from visiting distinguished faculty. In 2012, Dr. Scott Hahn taught here. Scott Hahn is an internationally recognized biblical theologian. His academic works include Kinship by Covenant (Yale University Press) and Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI (Brazos). In addition, he has published numerous scholarly papers, which have appeared in such publications as Catholic Biblical Quarterly and Journal of Biblical Literature. A professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Hahn also holds the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His best-selling popular-level books and accessible style have made him one of the most well known teachers of Scripture and Theology in the Church today. 11

14 Technology and elearning Christ the Savior (Pantokrator) Saint Catherine s Monastery, Sinai c. 6 th century Every course in the graduate program is delivered through an extremely powerful elearning open source program. You don t need to be computer savvy to use the many features it offers the resources are extremely user-friendly. All class materials, including professors notes and presentations, are available to you for review and study at your leisure. Whether you are taking a course on campus or online, you have access to video recordings of every lecture, which incorporate all of the visual aids used by the professor. You can connect with your professors and fellow students through message boards and online office hours, creating the opportunity for thoughtful interaction and in-depth discussion that fosters greater reflection upon and refinement of your understanding of the material you are studying. Among the new forms of mass communication, nowadays we need to recognize the increased role of the internet, which represents a new forum for making the Gospel heard. Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini 35 (September 30, 2010) 12

15 How elearning Works: And More: u u A website is set up for each course Whether you are taking the class on our campus or studying online, all students are given access to the same website. You ll have a video recording of every class session. These recordings incorporate presentations, visual aids, and more, so that all content presented by the professor to the students in the classroom is available to off-campus students. The course website hosts all relevant course documents: the syllabus, lecture outlines, study guide, required texts such as articles and any supplemental resources. Discuss classes, thoughts, and ideas with your fellow students and faculty members via elearning message boards Online resources include access to our library and the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) database of journal articles Rigorous Study Adaptable Scheduling Our program involves careful formation in numerous areas of biblical studies and Catholic theology, with uncompromising academic quality. However, the reality of work schedules and other commitments demands flexibility in class scheduling. Our program is ideal for students unable to commit to a full-time load and those with busy schedules. As a student, you can work at your own pace. Additionally, certain courses are offered on Saturdays, for online learners who wish to be part of the classroom experience. 13

16 JOHN PAUL THE GREAT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SAN DIEGO 2003 JOHN PAUL c a t h o l i c u n i v e r s i t y Old Grove Road San Diego, CA (858) MA in Biblical Theology Online Program Pending WASC Approval