DESCRIPTION: This doctoral seminar is open to a limited number of master's
level students by special permission. The word sacrament is a term that
conjures up images of sacred objects and sacred actions. The theology of those
ecclesial rites known as sacraments has been one of the most divisive
theological topics in the history of the church. In the last century, however,
there has been a great deal of convergence between traditions using as a
starting point for discussion the concept of "sacramentality," that is, the
general question of how God is present in the world. This seminar will take up
the question of sacramentality and then explore specific expressions of God's
presence in the world commonly referred to as sacraments (or ordinances). This
seminar will explore the history of sacramental theology, as well as models of
the relationship between the doctrine of God and sacramentality.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Christian ministry at it most basic level is the
manifestation of the gospel in human relationships, inviting individuals to
encounter the promise of God's presence in one's life. The question of how one
understands the possibility of God's presence and the potential of the human
person availing him or herself to God's presence is defined by one's theology
of sacramentality. Quite simply, one's sacramentality defines one's theology of
ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The seminar will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. It will
have some lectures by the professor, but will be mostly seminar presentations
and discussions. Students will be expected--beyond assigned class readings--to
do the necessary primary and secondary research for their presentations. The
seminar will cover a broad swath of the Christian traditions: East and West,
ancient through contemporary, traditional and nontraditional.
REQUIRED READING: