Theological Synthesis (45 points) |
CD450 |
| Terence Curtin (coordinator) | Semesters 1 & 2, 2012 |
General Theological Examination for Final Year Candidates for Ordination.
The aim of this examination is to assess whether the student has developed an integrated view of Catholic theology which can be expounded in a way suited to the Australian apostolate.
For the examination, the candidate is expected to provide and discuss with the examiners a written, personal, synoptic presentation of Christianity. This synthesis should allude, in a positive and ecumenical way, to the key themes covered in Revelation, Ecclesiology, Theology of God, Christology, Trinity, Grace and Original Sin, Eucharist and the other Sacraments, Eschatology, Mariology and Christian Moral Response. Where relevant, references should be made to significant biblical texts and major patristic and conciliar statements.
The student is free to grapple with the task according to any theologically enlightened approach. For example, the synthesis might take as its springboard a scriptural or conciliar assertion, a creed, the statement of a theologian or a liturgical text.
A supervisor will be assigned to each student to assist in his preparation.
The synthesis should run to about 25,000 words, typed, double-spaced on A4 paper. The style of footnotes and the bibliography should generally be in accord with the CTC Style Guide. Three copies are to be handed to the Academic Records Office by the designated date: one copy for each examiner and one copy to be retained by the Mannix Library for filing.
The examination, of one hour’s duration, is conducted formally and publicly by a board of two examiners. The candidate’s supervisor is also present. In the examination the candidate must be prepared to:
- elucidate allusions or obscurities
- discuss or defend a position adopted
- indicate the scriptural basis for any assertions
- comment on major magisterial pronouncements which may be relevant
- refer to important expressions from tradition, liturgy or classical controversies relevant to the themes dealt with