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Christian Doctrine Department

Christian Doctrine I (Foundations of Catholicism) takes a broad look at the fundamental doctrines that make up the foundation of our Deposit of Faith. Students will cover the basics of Christian anthropology, soteriology, ecclesiology, Trinitarian thought, Revelation, Scripture and morality. A special emphasis will be given to understanding the sacraments and the sacramental life of our Church. Prerequisite: none (1 credit)

Christian Doctrine II (Understanding the Scriptures) will cover the historical development, major themes, books, persons and events of both the Old and New Testaments. Special emphasis will include the themes of covenant, sin, redemption and salvation.. Prerequisite: none (1 credit)

Christian Doctrine III (Morality) covers the fullness of the Catholic moral theological Tradition. Key ideas of freedom, law, sin, conscience, and conversion will be developed in order to discuss and analyze what holy Christian action and moral behavior is. The Scripture, especially the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes, along with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, will be the lenses through which moral action is studied and reviewed with the goal of evaluating current moral issues in today's world. Prerequisite: none (1 credit)

Christian Doctrine IV - The senior year builds upon the foundation of the previous three years through a variety of one-semester electives. Students must choose two courses to fulfill the senior religion requirement.

Peace and Justice (semester) - offers a look at how we are called as Catholics to build the Kingdom of God through acting justly and living in peace. This course explores Catholic social teaching in depth. Topics such as racism, hunger, poverty, just wages, pollution, homelessness, capital punishment and abortion are all complex topics discussed in detail in the course. This course is designed to prepare seniors to put their faith in action as they leave St. Thomas More High School. (1/2 credit)

God, Religions and Science (semester) - will analyze the philosophical, theological, and scientific aspects of God's relation to the universe and humankind. It does so by describing the concepts of God held in three broad historical ages, the Biblical, the Medieval-classical, and the Contemporary. It will cover the concepts of deity held by the major non-Christian world religions and by modern science. It will also consider the challenges to theism from systems of atheism.(1/2 credit)

Apologetics (semester) - is designed to prepare students to defend the objective truths found in Catholicism. Issues to be explored, but not limited to would include: Scripture Alone, Church Authority, Papal Authority, Marian Doctrines, Real Presence in the Eucharist, and how to respond to typical apologetic questions such as "Have you been saved?". This course by necessity will demand independent learning skills, critical thinking, academic rigor and curiosity. (1/2 credit)

Christian Prayer and Spirituality (semester) - Responds to the spiritual hunger in people and to the need for a relationship with God. This course is designed to offer experiences of various forms of Christian prayer, and to encourage students to develop their own pattern of prayer and to grow in the spiritual life of faith, hope and love. A significant portion of this course includes an exploration of Catholic spirituality including prominent figures in the Old Testament, Jesus, Christian mystics and contemporary models of faith-filled ministry in today's Church. This course requires extensive reflection and research, a journal and portfolio, as well as participation in communal prayer and ministry experience. (1/2 credit)