Foundations of Catholic Belief
Next Session: Jan 08, 2024
Unit 1: The Creed- Jessica Keating
- Scriptural Meditation
- What is belief? (CCC 28)
- The Reasonableness of Belief (CCC 32-35)
- Belief in the person of Jesus Christ (CCC 1, 34, 203)
*** This unit is designed to address the particular challenges to faith in at a time when the prevailing worldview is characterized by skepticism, materialism, and scientism.
Unit 2: Creation-Christopher Baglow
- Scriptural Meditation
- Setting the Stage for Understanding the Doctrine of Creation (CCC, 268-278)
- The First Creation Account (CCC, 105-119)
- The Widest Wisdom: The Christian Doctrine of Creation (CCC, 279-324)
*** This unit addresses some of the challenges believers sometimes face when attempting to understand how the Catholic religion approaches the relationship of faith and science.
Unit 3: Jesus Christ- Joshua McManaway
- Scriptural Meditation
- How does Catholic Doctrine help us to know Christ? (CCC 80-82, 85-90)
- Jesus, Son of God
- Jesus, Son of Mary
*** Lecture 1 in this unit emphasizes how doctrine develops how scripture and tradition work together and why it is important. Church history about the Council of Chalcedon is shared.
Unit 4: Salvation in Jesus Christ- Leonard DeLorenzo
- Scriptural Meditation
- Sin and Its Effects (CCC, 355–421 and 2331–2347)
- Christ, Savior in Truth (CCC, 456–460 and 606–61)
- By His Death and Resurrection (CCC, 1, 456–460, and 606–611)
*** In addition to gaining a new understanding of salvation, participants gain a new appreciation for how scripture is read when the unit professor guides them through a proper reading of Genesis 2 & 3.
Unit 5: The Church and Sacrament- Timothy P. O’Malley
- Scriptural Meditation
- I Believe in the Holy Spirit (CCC, 232-267, 683-747)
- The Nature of the Church (CCC 748-810, 963-975, 1113-1199)
- The Marks of the Church (CCC 811-873)
*** This unit emphasizes the mystery of the Church and how it is distinguished from a sociological entity.
Unit 6: The Last Things- Margaret B. Freddoso
- Scriptural Meditation
- The Mysteries of Death and Judgment (CCC, 1021-1022, 1041)
- The Mysteries of Hell and Purgatory (CCC, 1033-1037, 1030-1032)
- The Mystery of Eternal Life (CCC, 1024- 1029)
*** This unit addresses the most often-held questions and misconceptions about the mysteries of life after death.
Course Format
- Seven weeks in duration, with one week for orientation.
- Typically 15-20 students in each course.
- All lecture text available online in text format.
- Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links provided for all readings.
- Written assignments (200-250 words) required.
- Facilitator-moderated Zoom sessions with students in the course.
Participation Requirements
- View or read the lecture for each unit.
- Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussion.
- Participate in the class discussion using the Forums area: post at least 2 comments, questions, or responses per unit.
- Respond to the assignment in each unit.
- Participate in at least 4 scheduled Zoom sessions throughout the course.
- Complete the course evaluation.
Time Expectations
4 to 6 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.
Course Certificate
A certificate of completion awarding 35 contact hours will be sent upon completion of all course requirements.