THEO 301: DE PECCATO ORIGINAL
The doctrine of original sin will be studied here: it will treat of the causes of evil in the world, human freedom according to the doctrine found in Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Church. Attention will be paid to the heresies such as Pelagianism and an attempt will be made to refute them.
THEO 302: THE INCARNATE WORD
This course treats of the essence and constitution of the Word Incarnate following the definitions of the earliest Councils. Contemporary Christologies especially discussions of the historical (i.e. Christ in his being) and functional Christology (Christ in his life and ministry).
THEO 303: DE MARIA VIRGINE
About the Blessed Virgin Mary, as she is the mother of God and Mother of the Church. This section of the course in Dogmatic Theology seeks to expose the Church’s teaching on the B.V.M according to the definition of Council and the most recent documents and pronouncements of the Magisterium.
THEO 304: SACRAMENTAL THEOLOGY
SACRAMENTS OF ORDERS AND MATRIMONY
This course deals with the two sacraments of vocation, namely Orders and Matrimony. First, attention will be paid to the priesthood. Exposition of ministries in the Church, development of orders and hierarchy, and the theology of the priesthood will be the major points studied. Here the significance of Holy Orders in the economy of salvation and the three grades of orders must be considered. The Church’s teaching on ordination of women will not be left out of mention. Second, the sacrament of matrimony will be considered. It should be demonstrated how Christ raised this secular reality to a grace-giving event. Its nature and theological basis of its institution are to be studied.
THEO 305: ECCLESIOLOGY
THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH
The fundamental meaning of the term “Church as Mystery”: priority of the MYSTERY; the Church as Mystery and the Theology of communion; the perspective of the history of salvation; Trinitarian nature of the church; the church and the kingdom of God; different biblical images of the Bible; the Church-Mystical Body of Christ; the Church visible and invisible: A unique complex reality; the only Church Christ founded subsists in the Catholic Church; the Church and poverty; the church is holy and she is the Church of sinners.
THEO 306: MORAL THEOLOGY
HONOUR, TRUTH AND FIDELITY
COURSE OBJECTIVE: To understand these Values (Honour, Truth &Fidelity) as values which are primarily of an ideal and spiritual nature. Like all genuine values, they too claim our respect and protection.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
THE MORAL GOOD OF HONOUR
a) The Nature and Foundation of Honour
b) Principal duties of Honour
c) Offenses against the Honour of Others
TRUTHFULNESS
a) Truthfulness in Holy Scripture
b) The Virtue of Truthfulness and its Duties
c) Lies and Lawful concealment of the Truth
OATHS
FIDELITY
a) Nature and Foundation of Fidelity
b) Promises
SECRETS
a) Nature and Foundation of Secrets
b) Revelation of Secrets
c) Probing into Secrets
ETHICS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
a) Role in Social Communication
b) Right to be informed and to inform
c) Obligations in Social Communication
d) Mass Media and the Churches
THEO 307: MORAL THEOLOGY
HOLY ORDERS
COURSE OBJECTIVE: To lead students into a deeper understanding of the sacrament of Holy Order, Emphasis will be on the divine institution, the priestly character and mission, minister of Holy Order, requirements for the reception of Holy Order, the priestly celibacy and the irregularities and impediments.
Topics to be covered include;
Holy order as a sacrament; grades of holy order; common priesthood and ministerial priesthood; priestly character and mission; priest holiness; deaconate; matter and form or ordination of women; requirements for the reception of holy order; priestly celibacy; and irregularities and other impediments.
THEO 308: MORAL THEOLOGY
VIRTUE OF RELIGION AND THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
To acquaint the students with fact of the important Virtue of religion and theological Virtues. they are also made aware of the course of sin. Emphasis is on the religious life manifested in the acts of worship, such as prayer, sacrifice, sacramental rites, cultic celebrations. Since the soul of all worship is the theological Virtues which open our hearts to God and unites us with God, they form the basis of this course.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
Theological virtues in general Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Divine Love/Charity. Offenses against them – Faith: Infidelity, heresy schism and apostasy; hope: Presumption, despair, faint-heartedness and resignation; Divine Love: Indifference and hatred.
Virtue of Religion in general Nature of divine worship and offenses against it – False worship of true God,
Worship of false gods, superstition and dishonoring God.
Specific manifestations and duties of worship.
THEO 309: CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
THE NATURE OF THE SOCIAL TEACHING OF THE CHURCH COURSE OBJECTIVE:
This course is aimed at promoting the student’s understanding of the origin, importance, development and application of the principles of the social teaching of the Church.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
Introduction: why we study the social teaching of the Church Constitutive elements of social teaching.
Autonomy of social teaching .
Theological nature of social teaching .
Three fold dimension of social teaching.
Methodology of social teaching.
Evolution of social teaching.
Continuity and development.
Fundamental principles and history of the social teaching of the Church.
Permanent principles and fundamental values.
Human person-his dignity, rights relationship between persons in the society.
The common good
Solidarity and Subsidiarity,
Organic concept of social life and participation.
Human structure and communities of persons.
The universal purpose of created goods.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Brief Description and Aim
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor … liberty to captive and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (4:18; Is. 61:1-2). Catholic social teaching is not a new mission of the Church. More than two thousand years ago Jesus as the quotation above make obvious, not only read the words of Isaiah (61 : 1-2), but used these to marshal out his mission on earth as well as the mission of his Church through the centuries. In this same vein, the Church which is the “sign of history of God’s love for mankind” identities herself with the “joys and the hopes, the grieves and the anxieties of the men … especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted.”
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Through her Social teaching, the Church intends to “propose to all men and women a humanism that is up to the standings of God’s plan of love in history, an integral and solidiary humanism capable of creating” a genuine social, economic, political and cultural order based on the dignity and freedom of every human person, to be brought about in peace, justice and solidarity. The Church therefore seeks through her social teaching to “lead pe0ple to respond, with the aid also of rational reflection and of the human sciences, to their Vocation as responsible builders of society” (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, par 1); to offer moral principles and coherent Values that every society of human beings needs.
Aim
In the course therefore effort will be made to inculcate into the consciousness of the students the sound Christian anthropology: Every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ and therefore is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. This is the bedrock of Catholic social teaching. Every person–regardless of race, sex age, national origin, sexual orientation, employment or economic status, health, intelligence, achievement or any other differentiating characteristic is worthy of respect. It is not what you have that gives you a claim on respect; it is simply being human that establishes your dignity. Given that dignity, the human person is, in the Catholic View, never a means, always an end.
The body of Catholic social teaching opens with the human person, but it does not close there. Though the human person is unique he is an individual in dialogue since God created him not for life in isolation but formation of social unity. Because he is embedded in a social unity whatever decision he takes effects his person and that of others. As such the Catholic social teaching concerns itself with the basic question of how political, socio-economic order or decision and other spheres of culture can tally adequately with the dignity of the human person. The Christian View of the human person in relation to every spheres of human culture necessitates or reveals three more principles, which revolve around and serve the human person. Then effort will be geared towards the translation of these teachings in the society of Ni geria where ‘preferential option of the poor’ needs a special and serious attention.
THEO 310: GOSPEL OF JOHN AND THE BOOK OF REVELATION
The theology of signs in the Gospel of John, The theology of the “Hour” in the Gospel of John, The Gospel of John’s relationship with Judaism, with the Qumran Documents, with the Old Testament and with Greek thought.
THEO 311: BIBLICAL EXEGESIS
PENTATEUCH: The course treats of The Creation story: Gen 1-2; The Abraham Saga: Gen 11,10-25, 26; The Isaac: Gen 25, 19-37, 2; Joseph Story: Gen 37,39-45; Passover and Exodus: Exodus 12,1-13, 6; The Decalogue: Exodus 20,117; The sealing of the covenant: Exodus 24,1-18 and the renewal of the covenant: Exodus 34,1-35; Israel in the desert: Num 11,1-20. 13; and The Holiness Code: Lev 17 ,1 – 26,46.
THEO 312: BIBLICAL EXEGESIS
COURSE II:
Course Content: The narrative of the conquest of the promised land Josh 1-12,24; Sam 8-2, Sam 7; and l kings 12, The Hebrew Empire: l kings 1-11, The reign of Hezekiah: 2 Kings 18-25 and The reign and reformation of Josiah: 2Kings 22,1-22,30.
THEO 313: NT EXEGESIS 2 THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: THIRD YEAR AND FOURTH YEAR THEOLOGY
In order to have a comprehensive overview of this course, the term “Synoptic” will be defined. The “Synoptic Problem” will be studied in detail. This course will also study the authors of the Synoptic Gospels and Acts of the Apostles. The date, content, purpose and destination of each of the books will also be studied. This course endeavours to study the Infancy Narrative according to Luke: 1-2 Sermon on the Mount: Matt 5-7, The Last Activities of Jesus in Jerusalem: Mark 11 – 13 , and Pentecost, Act 2.
THEO 314: NT EXEGESIS
JOHN AND REVELATION
The exegetical presentation in this course endeavours to study the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation. The course will be divided in Two Parts: 1. The Gospel according
to John: A general introduction to the Fourth Gospel, the author; addresses; time and place of composition, structure and characteristics of the Gospel according to John. Here the following will be our area of concern: the Prologue of John’s Gospel (1, 1-18); Jesus’ Eucharistic discussion (6, 17); the Passion narrative (18-19). In the Second Part, Apocalypse, the course will take care of: Introduction to the Apocalypse: author and time of composition; literary genre of the book. The Letters of the Churches of Asia (1,4-4,22) and the Seven seats, Trumpets and Plagues (6, 1-6,21) will be examined.
The approach taken is literary and theological.
Text to be read: Gospel of John 1, 1-18; 1-71; 18-19; Rev 1, 43 : 22; 6,1-16,21.
Gospel of John
The lecture aims at interpreting the Prologue (Jn 1,1-18), the Bread Discourse (Jn 6,1-71) and the Passion Narrative (Jn 22-23) or other selected passages of the Gospel according to John by considering their wider contexts and theological foci as well as their place and function in the gospel narrative as a whole. It also serves the paradigmatic aim of mediating methodological competence in the exegesis of key NT texts. It is hoped that the lecture will animate the students to a personal reading, study and encounter with the Gospel and to a reflection on the central themes of the Gospel and the theology of the author. With these goals in mind, we shall examine the nature and structure of the Gospel as a whole and the limits of each of the passages to be treated, attempt to establish the texts and their provenance, look at their lifesetting (Sitz-im-Leben) as well as their historical-cultural backgrounds, reception and impact history as well as usage in theology and liturgy.
The Book of Revelation
On its part, the Book of Revelation is an enigmatic piece of literature that is extremely rich in fascinating imageries and mysterious scenery that impacts (almost inevitably and intuitively) on the senses and imaginative mind of the reader. There is hardly any other book of the Bible whether Old or New Testament – that has so much impacted on the religious image-world of Christianity than this last book of the Bible. In line with OT-Early Jewish apocalyptic traditions, we read oracular speeches and of Visions of what is to come, of beasts and animals with mythic features, of events of cosmic dimension. With focus on selected passages such as the Prologue of the Book of Revelation (1,1-8), Letters to the Churches in Asia (Rev l,4-3,22), the Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Plagues (Rev 6,1-16,21), and the Epilogue (22,1-20[21]), the lecture shall attempt to explore the nature and literary structure of the Book of Revelation, its historical provenance and theological relevance, as well as its usage of imageries. The goal is to illuminate the historical, social and cultural context in which the text originated and in which there is communication link between author and audience. Particularly with reference to the Letters to the Churches in Asia, the question is whether it reflects “what is known of Christianity in Asia Minor towards the end of the first century and beginning of the second century AD.” (Aune, Revelation, WBC, xlix)
The three Johannine Letters are traditionally believed to have been written by the Evangelist John. The language, style and content show a close affinity with John’s Gospel. Underlying the Letters is the Johannine tradition – a tradition that reflects and seeks to deepen and propagate the theology of the Fourth Gospel. The addressee is the Johnannine community a community founded by or that owes its emergence and existence directly or indirectly to the Evangelist. However, in the words of Pheme Perkins: “The Fourth Gospel addresses itself to the challenges posed by Judaism and others outside Johannine circles who have rejected the community’s Vision of Jesus as preexistent Son, sent by the Father. The epistles describe the fracturing of the Johannine community itself” (in: The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, 987). We are faced in the Letters with internal conflicts within the Johannine community. Thus, the author addresses the problems facing or rather threatening the existence the faith and life of the nascent christian community. Who the community is, the problems facing the community and the solutions offered by the author will be the focus of attention. In doing so, we shall consider the composition, content and theology of the Letters as well as attempt to interpret some chosen passages.
THEO 315: OT BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
God and Creation
a). The Universal God and Creation: Genesis accounts, creation in other parts of the Bible, Theology of Creation; God; Names, Nature, Oneness , Major Divine Attributes, Presence and Theophanies of Anthropomorphisms, etc.
b). Lord of History: Divine Plan and Providence, Mercy and Patience, Anger, Threats and Justice, Day of Yahweh, Wisdom, Theocracy in Israel.
THEO 316: THE EXODUS EVENT
a). The Exodus Event: The God of Israel, the Egyptian Bondage and Deliverance from, Grace and the Giving of the Law, Theology of the Exodus, Exodus as Paradigm, Passover Celebration.
b). Comprehensive Study of the T h e o l o g y o f Salvation History: The course will study the most important among the leading Biblical Texts on the Divine History of Salvation.
THEO 317: LITURGY
THE SACRAMENTS (OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION; OF HEALING; OF ORDERS) AND SACRAMENTALS; THE LITURGICALYEAR; THE DIVINE OFFICE
The goal of this course is to draw out the doctrine contained in the celebration of individual rites of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation, the Sacraments of Healing, the Sacraments of Holy Orders and various ministries; the Sacrament of Matrimony vis-a-vis Virginity, Liturgy of Religious Consecration; Liturgy of the Sick; the Liturgy of the Dead and other Sacramentals.
This course also dwells on the Liturgical Year highlighting the various Liturgical Seasons of the Church’s Year and their celebrative aspects and implications. It also dwells on the Divine Office by which the students are prepared for the pious and fruitful celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours. Care is therefore, taken to introduce the students to the General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, much attention will be paid in enabling the students appreciate them in the Christian way.
THEO 318: LITURGY
THE LITURGY OF HOURS
The aim here would be to prepare the students for the pious and fruitful celebration of the Hours through the prayer of the Church in the Divine Office. In the first place, the doctrines orchestrated in the General Instructions on the Liturgy of Hours are explained. For this, much help will be found in teachings of the Fathers on the symbolism of the hours of prayer. Form such teaching and other sources, it will be demonstrated that the Morning and Evening Prayers really constitute the hinges of the Liturgy of Hours. Since the Psalms constitute the bulk of the Liturgy of Hours, much attention will be paid to enable the students appreciate them in the Christian way.
PSY 301: PASTORAL PSYCHOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL COUNSELING:
An introductory study of the respective roles of the pastoral counselor and spiritual director in the helping process and the distinction and complementarily of the two roles. An overview of the shifted helper model of counseling. Basic communication skills; attending, listening, observation and exploration. An awareness of counselor related issues such as transference and counter transference, reactance and resistance and how to deal with them.
PSY 302: PASTORAL PSYCHOLOGY
Issues in Religion and psychology Eg. Neurotic guilt vs moral guilt; mental illness vs demonic possession; depression vs spiritual desolation etc. mental illness and mental health signs and symptoms of mental illness, specific mental illnesses and pastoral care of the mentally ill.
CL 301: CANON LAW
MARRIAGE
This is a brief introduction to the sacraments with stress on the early development of the sacrament of marriage. There is then an in-depth study of marriage as found in the Code. Topics to be studied include: The fundamental nature of marriage; pastoral care; diriment impediment in general; diriment impediment in particular; matrimonial consent; the form of the celebration of marriage; mixed marriage; marriage secretly celebrated; separation of the spouses; and convalidation.
CYCLE THREE
The study is on the teaching Office, canons 746 – 833; and Sanctifying Office, canons 834 – 1253; much emphasis on the sacrament of marriage. The course considers as well the matrimonial procedure, canons 1671 – 1716, Sanctions in the Church, canons 1311-1399, and Penal procedure, canons 1717-1713.
PTH 301: PASTORAL THEOLOGY
This course will introduce the student to the general notion and the growth of pastoral theology, its fundamental law and the necessary formation for those to engage in the pastoral ministry. Topics to be covered include: Definitions of pastoral theology; history of pastoral theology; fundamental law and criterion of evangelization; understanding the human person in his needs, attitudes and values; understanding the self and relating to others; the spiritual life of the pastoral agent; sexuality; celibacy and pastoral formation.
PTH 302: PASTORAL THEOLOGY
Here, attention is directed to the people of God in the parish, as the object of the Church’s evangelization ministry, with emphasis on their formation in Christian faith and living and their growth into evangelizing communities. Topics to be covered include: The parish as the contact and operation base for the Church; evangelization process for the major age grades; operation of caring fellowship (or small Christian) communities; laity formation for catholic action and civic responsibilities execution; family apostolate: (i) preparations for marriage (ii) care of the newly wed. (iii) ROM (iv) marriage encounter weekends; youth apostolate (i) bible class (ii) community prayer sessions (iii) leadership courses, (iv) professional training facilities.
SPTH 301: SPIRITUAL THEOLOGY
BIBLICAL SPIRITUALITY:
The objective of this topic is to introduce the student to the mystery of the Bible which reveals the mystery of the God man Jesus Christ, in whom Christianity takes its origin. In preparation for the coming of Christ, God broke into human history, chose a people out of fallen humanity, made a covenant with them, and communicated his plan to save humanity. The people broke the covenant, but God fulfilled his promise in the coming of Christ. Topics to be studied include: Why study biblical spirituality; principles of biblical spirituality; can biblical spirituality be called Christian spirituality? And God’s intervention in the course of human history.
SPTH 302: SPIRITUAL THEOLOGY
LITURGICAL AND PRIESTLY SPIRITUALITY
The object of this course is to help the participants understand, assimilate and personalize the spiritual values I the Church’s Liturgical Celebrations. The course Will also examine the spirituality of the priesthood as embodied in the Rite of Ordination itself. Rather than focusing on the more theoretical understandings of the spirituality of the priesthood, the course will prepare the participants for the promises that will inform their future lives, first as deacons and then as priests.
ACT 301: AFRICAN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY 2
Introduction to Theological Reflections in Africa
The meaning of theology and the root of African Christian theology; brief history of theology in Africa, especially in the patristic period and down to the contemporary times; the re-emergence of Christian theology in Africa; origin, method, scope and trends in contemporary African Christian theology; African theology of liberation; black theology; theology of inculturation; the place of Christology in theology and in African theology; Christological models in African theology: ancestor Christology (B. Bujo and C, Nyamiti); Christ as master of initiation; Christ as healer; Christ as Okpala Chineke (Nkwoka); Christ as the African King (U Manus); merits and demerits of the different Christological models.
CAT 301: CATECHESIS
The objective of this course is to expose the student to the general theories of learning in Education so as to enable him come to terms with the factors that affect the teaching – learning situation and to generate in the student a consciousness of modern catechetical orientation.
Topics to be covered include:
Education in general; philosophical foundation of education; on the teacher; the teaching method; the art of teaching; practical: microteaching.