1. And, while we’re at it, what is it?
Why Theology?
And, while we’re at it, what is it?
Started this on Monday, after the quiz on procedures/disclosure. Did not have much time to discuss, so we just discussed what we believed theology to be, in general.

2. My Faith Journey
On a piece of loose-leaf paper, please answer the following questions honestly and meaningfully. Don’t put what you think I want to hear - put what you actually believe.
What faith tradition were you raised in? What is your faith background?
Name 3-5 of your central beliefs, and why they are so important to you. What spiritual perspective or set of beliefs do you bring to this class?
Describe God! Who or what is God to you?

3. Religious Studies -
The academic study of the history, development, and current state of religion
What different religions believe, how they pray with and celebrate those beliefs, and the structures that form around those beliefs
How different religions interact, share, and differ in their beliefs
WarmUp: What (if any) is the difference between theology and religious studies?

4. Theology - Literally, the study of God Theos Logoi
“God” “Words” or “Study of”
Definition #1: the simplest.

5. “Faith Seeking Understanding”
Definition #2
Faith = encounter with the person of Jesus Christ; revelation - God revealing himself to us (through Word of God [JC, Scripture, Ecclesia]
Seeking = desire to know more
Understanding = using REASON to analyze what has been revealed, with the goal of deepining a RELATIONSHIP with God (personal knowledge vs. factual knowledge)

6. Theology Vs. Religion Class/Religious Studies
Did not use - could be useful if time

7. Wrap-Up: (put this under your daily warm-up)
So, what is the difference between theology and religious studies?
After notes, I believe we did the Faith Journey short reflection (at Slide 2) instead of at the beginning of class.

8. “A Map of Experience” (C.S.Lewis)
On a sheet of paper, answer the following questions with 2-3 well-thought- out and complete sentences for full points:
How is a map of the ocean similar to the study of theology, according to Lewis?
What is more real, the ocean or the map of the ocean?
What is more true, the ocean or the map of the ocean?
What, according to Lewis, is the most important thing the map of the ocean allows us to do? Why?
Assigned for HW!
Used this as our third definition of theology - really useful, and the students did well

9. Fr. Hesburgh
Started here on Wednesday/Thursday (block days) - Come Holy Spirit

10. Come, Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

11. “A Map of Experience” (C.S.Lewis)
On a sheet of paper, answer the following questions with 2-3 well-thought- out and complete sentences for full points:
How is a map of the ocean similar to the study of theology, according to Lewis?
What is more real, the ocean or the map of the ocean?
What is more true, the ocean or the map of the ocean?
What, according to Lewis, is the most important thing the map of the ocean allows us to do? Why?
Reviewed Homework Assignment from Tuesday - reading CS Lewis and answering Qs
Used this as our third definition of theology - really useful, and the students did well

12. “Science of Revelation”
Theology is kinda like math…
Math’s data is numbers; theology’s data is revelation
Once we have our data, we apply it to real-world situations and try to figure out how it works in the context of reality
Math example: Pi (π)
Theo example: Incarnation
Just as you don’t stick with addition and subtraction to understand complex equations, you don’t stick with basic theology to understand the complexities of revelation
Fourth definition of theology - useful analogy to consider how we grapple with and grow into revelation, not just taking it at surface-value

13. “Science of Revelation”
Science is founded on asking, again and again, ‘Is this information reliable?’
Theology is founded on asking, again and again, ‘Is this information reliable?’
Even better, ‘How is this true in light of everything else I know to be true about the world?’
Theology makes a claim about what is true, about the structure of reality. Therefore, theologians must incorporate all other fields or forms of knowledge
Faith and reason cannot be at odds - if they are, then we have failed

14. Check-Up: (put this under your daily warm-up)
“Faith Seeking Understanding”
“A Map of Experiences”
“Science of Revelation”
Which “definition” or image of theology makes the most sense to you? Why?
Which “definition” or image of theology do you struggle with the most? Why?

15. Why Study Theology?
Gives us a framework or a lens through which we give meaning to the rest that we do
NOT “I’m going to believe this even though I know it’s not true because I’m afraid to face the cold and endless void of my meaningless existence”
Rather, if this is true, it must shape the way we understand everything else
Theology (and religion, for that matter) always makes a claim about what creation and the human person is for
AKA a claim about the truth and the good

16. Short Essay #2: The Good
In one well-written and deeply thought-out paragraph, please answer the following prompt: (due Friday)
Since theology addresses questions of meaning, we must acknowledge that each of us already comes in with a view of the world and meaning within it. In this assignment, defend the good that you plan to do with your life (or at least with your time at Judge Memorial). Go beyond playing a sport well, learning an instrument, or taking as many AP classes as you can so you can get into a good college. When you ponder what your main goal/plan is, ask yourself, “Why do this? What is the good involved here?” For example, if you answer: Be a good friend to those who have no friends. Okay - that’s great - but go further. If that is your plan and aim to live by, defend what is good about it.
[HINT: Keep asking yourself “Why?” over and over again to get to the core of the good.]
Ended here on Wednesday/Thursday. Make sure to explain what the essay is, and what depth I’m looking for - emphasize to ask Why? At least 5 times.

17. The Good

18. What is the good?
Please work with a partner. Discuss the following questions, and take notes on your discussion by writing down your answers in your notes.
Identify five things that are most necessary for human good or flourishing (social contact, success, etc.)?
If you had to isolate just one thing that defines the absolute human good, what would that one thing be?

19. Why is it so hard to define the “good”?
All accounts of the good (secular or religious) come from some basic narrative or account of who the human person is and what the human person is for
These narratives are often unspoken or even unconscious (like habits!)
BUT they shape the way in which we act and interact with the world around us
Theology offers us a narrative of who the human person is and what the human person is for
And like all other narratives, if it is true, it must shape the way in which we live and interact with the world around us.
So far, did not use