PLENARY LECTURES
Monday 26 July
P1 - ' THE ROLE OF FAITHS IN THE FUTURE OF BRITISH SOCIETY '
by Chris Hewer
Tuesday 27 July
P2 - 'TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY JUDAISM'
by Jonathan Gorsky
Wednesday 28 July
P3 - 'THEOLOGY AND LITERATURE'
by Michael Kirwan SJ
Series A Lecture Options
A1 Conscience and Film
Helen Costigane SHCJ
What do we mean by the word ‘conscience’? What does it mean to say that I must follow conscience? Why might I not always follow conscience? How is conscience formed, informed and distorted? What role does family, Church and society play in its formation? Using film clips, these and other questions will be explored during this course. Sessions will be interactive, with opportunities for discussion and questions. No knowledge presupposed.
Short Bibliography:
- Bretzke, James T, A Morally Complex World: Engaging Contemporary Moral Theology, (Michael Glazier Inc, 2004), chapter 4
- Curran, Charles, Readings in Moral Theology No. 14, (Paulist Press International, 2004)
- Fagan, Sean Does Morality Change? (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1997)
- Gula, Richard M. Reason Informed by Faith. (New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1989)
- Lobo, George V. Guide to Christian Living: A New Compendium of Moral Theology. (Westminster, Maryland: Christian Classics, 1991
- Patrick, Anne E. Liberating Conscience: Feminist Explorations in Catholic Moral Theology. (London: SCM, 1996)
Helen Costigane teaches Christian Ethics and Canon Law at Heythrop College, University of London.
This course was cancelled due to Peter Burrows' indisposition.
A3 The New Testament and First Century Judaism
Jonathan Gorsky
The course will examine key Jewish groups, concepts and practices that are essential for understanding the New Testament. These will include Torah Law, Pharisees, Sabbath, Temple and Messiah. It will seek to provide a new analusis of the Jewish background of the first Church. The course will be seminar based and includde close readings of priomary sources.
Jonathan Gorsky is Lecturer in Judaism and Christian Jewish Relations at Heythrop College, University of London.
A4 Do this in Memory of Me
Philip Jakob
A four-part consideration of the Mass
- The revised translations to be implemented some time next year
- Meeting the musical requirements of the revisions
- Do this in memory of me – are we forgetting part of the ‘this’?
- Do this in memory of me – how communal is our celebration?
This liturgical course will focus on four elements relating to the Mass and will be delivered in a variety of styles. Some elements will invite you to become apprentice angels and to sing with whatever voice God has given you! In a seminar we will consider the revised translations of the Mass which have attracted such intrigue. In a singing workshop we will look at musical settings of these texts including Philip’s own. A third workshop will look at the challenge of ensuring that the link between the Mass and action for justice in the world is established. Finally in an informal lecture Philip will propose that whatever translation we use we still need to do a lot of work on being community when we come together for liturgical celebration.
Philip Jakob is Director of Music for the Diocese of Hallam and a Member of the Iona Community.
Series B Lecture Options
B1 Understanding Islam
Chris Hewer
(Note this is a weeklong course and participants must also choose course D1)
In the course of eight sessions, comprising talk, questions and discussion, the following topics will be covered:
- Drawing a conceptual framework to understand the wider picture of Islam and creation
- The concept of Prophethood, the chain of Prophets leading to Muhammad
- A theology of revelation, the earlier Scriptures and the Qur’an
- A creed unpacked
- Vertical religion: prayer, worship, fasting and pilgrimage
- Horizontal religion: building a just society
- Islam and other faiths
- Muslims in the world today
Short Bibliography:
- CTR Hewer, The Essence of Islam, Redemptorist Publications, 2002 (available on course at remaindered cost of £1)
- CTR Hewer, Understanding Islam: the first ten steps, London: SCM, 2006 (course book: available on course at discounted price £13)
- Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Ideals and realities of Islam, various paperback editions
- Farid Esack, The Qur’an: a short introduction, Oxford: Oneworld, 2002
- Tariq Ramadan, The Messenger: the meanings of the life of Muhammad, Penguin edition, 2008
Chris Hewer is the St Ethelburga Fellow in Christian-Muslim Relations. He has a background in Christian theology, education and Islamic Studies and has worked in the field of Muslims in Britain and Christian-Muslim relations since 1986. From 1999 to 2005 worked as the Adviser on Inter-Faith Relations to the Bishop of Birmingham.
B2 Canticles & Compost: Care of Creation -
Theological Insights & Contemporary Issues
Mike Monaghan
Course cancelled - with apologies.
B3 Explorations into the Gospels I
Peter Edmonds SJ
This course is intended as an introduction to the synoptic gospels by examining particular texts from Mark, Matthew and Luke. We want to deepen our familiarity with what each evangelist actually writes, noting particularly the similarities and differences between them when they deal with parallel material. The aim is not only a closer knowledge of the gospel material but also a greater familiarity with the picture of Jesus and of discipleship which each gospel writer was presenting to the audience for which he composed his version of the ‘good news’. Hopefully, participants will grow in sensitivity to the gospel passages which they hear every time they attend the Eucharist, will learn to read the gospels with greater competence and enjoyment, and will grow in their life of the Spirit. The course will combine lecture and discussion and does not demand any specialist knowledge in biblical studies.
Short Bibliography:
The main text is a good modern translation of the gospels. Especially recommended is the New Revised Standard Version, such as is found in the Oxford Annotated Bible.
Peter Edmonds is a Jesuit priest who is a tutor in biblical studies in the University of Oxford.
B4 Seeking Jesus: explorations and approaches
Sarah Prime & Dominic Robinson SJ
'They said to him, "Everyone is searching for you"' (Mark 1:37). Which approaches might help to enrich our seeking and understanding of Jesus? This course will aim to explore Jesus' context within first century Judaism, and to reflect on approaches to understanding ancient texts from modern perspectives. We will consider Jesus' role as teacher, and healing within Jesus' ministry. We will also reflect on his death and resurrection, and explore the development in the early Church councils of the understanding of Jesus as True God and True Man. (No previous knowledge is necessary. It may be helpful to bring a Bible to this class.)
Sarah completed her MA in Biblical Studies at Heythrop College in 2009, and is a visiting lecturer at St. Mary's University College, Twickenham. She is experienced in retreat/formation facilitation, both in the UK and overseas.
Series C Lecture Options
C1 What are my Rights in the Church?
Helen Costigane SHCJ
It sometimes comes as a surprise to people when they discover that there is in the Church’s Code of Canon Law a section on ‘rights’. What are these rights? Where do they come from? How extensive are they? This course looks at the rights of Christ’s faithful (lay people and clerics), and how they might be protected and enforced. Sessions will be interactive, with opportunities for discussion and questions. No knowledge presupposed
Short Bibliography:
- J. Coriden, Canon Law as Ministry: Freedom and Good Order for the Church, New York, Paulist Press, 2000
- R. Shaw, Understanding Your Rights: Your Rights and Responsibilities in the Catholic Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Servant Publications, 1994
- Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, Directory on the Canonical Status of the Clergy: Rights, Obligations and Procedures, CTS, London, 2009.
- L. Orsy, Theology and Canon Law: New Horizons for Legislation and Interpretation, Collegeville, Minn., Liturgical Press, 1992
Helen Costigane teaches Christian Ethics and Canon Law at Heythrop College, University of London
C2 Theological and Pastoral Reflections on Inter-Faith Relations
In April 2010, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales launched a new teaching document in inter-faith relations: Meeting God in Friend and Stranger: fostering respect and mutual understanding between the religions (CTS, £5.95, ISBN 978 1 86082 663 4). Starting from this important document, which we will examine in detail, we will explore various theological approaches to inter-faith relations and pastoral responses to issues that arise.
A copy of the document will be required for the course (available from Living Theology bookshop) and ideally should be looked through in advance.
Chris Hewer is the St Ethelburga Fellow in Christian-Muslim Relations. He has a background in Christian theology, education and Islamic Studies and has worked in the field of Muslims in Britain and Christian-Muslim relations since 1986. From 1999 to 2005 worked as the Adviser on Inter-Faith Relations to the Bishop of Birmingham.
C3 Humanity and Creation: Joining up the Dots
Martin Poulsom SDB
An increased awareness of the plight of the planet on which we live has prompted many of us to make changes to the way we behave in recent years. We may have changed our shopping habits or our light bulbs, got involved in lobbying on climate change, or begun to pray in new ways. However, our efforts will be harder to sustain if they are not accompanied by a similar change in the way that we think. This course will consider the place of humanity in the midst of creation and ask how we might think and act in ways that connect our lives as human beings and as creatures. Together, we will investigate how to go about finding harmony between our solidarity with the poor and our efforts to live sustainably. All these will be seen to play their part in a way of living that is committed to a better future for our world.
The course presumes no prior knowledge (or action!) and will be presented as lectures, using audio-visual resources, with time for questions and discussion.
Suggested Bibliography:
- Kevin Treston, Walk Lightly on the Earth: Creation Spirituality for Daily Living (Wilston: Creation Enterprises, 2003)
- Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (this has been out a good while and there are lots of printings of it, though it’s probably easier to get hold of it second hand)
- Faiths in Creation (London: Heythrop Institute for Religion, Ethics and Public Life, 2008). These papers are now available online, thanks to Thinking Faith, the Jesuit’s online journal. You can find the Introduction to them at http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20081014_2.htm and links to the papers at the bottom of that page. (This is the edition of Thinking Faith for 14th October 2008, which would also allow you to find the material via a search engine
Martin Poulsom is a Salesian of Don Bosco, and lectures in theology at Heythrop College, University of London. He writes and records his own songs in his spare time.
C4 Do this in Memory of Me
Philip Jakob
(This is a repeat of A4)
Series D Lecture Options
D1 Understanding Islam
Chris Hewer
(Note this is a weeklong course and participants must also choose course B1)
In the course of eight sessions, comprising talk, questions and discussion, the following topics will be covered:
- Drawing a conceptual framework to understand the wider picture of Islam and creation
- The concept of Prophethood, the chain of Prophets leading to Muhammad
- A theology of revelation, the earlier Scriptures and the Qur’an
- A creed unpacked
- Vertical religion: prayer, worship, fasting and pilgrimage
- Horizontal religion: building a just society
- Islam and other faiths
- Muslims in the world today
Short Bibliography:
- CTR Hewer, The Essence of Islam, Redemptorist Publications, 2002 (available on course at remaindered cost of £1)
- CTR Hewer, Understanding Islam: the first ten steps, London: SCM, 2006 (course book: available on course at discounted price £13)
- Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Ideals and realities of Islam, various paperback editions
- Farid Esack, The Qur’an: a short introduction, Oxford: Oneworld, 2002
- Tariq Ramadan, The Messenger: the meanings of the life of Muhammad, Penguin edition, 2008
Chris Hewer is the St Ethelburga Fellow in Christian-Muslim Relations. He has a background in Christian theology, education and Islamic Studies and has worked in the field of Muslims in Britain and Christian-Muslim relations since 1986. From 1999 to 2005 worked as the Adviser on Inter-Faith Relations to the Bishop of Birmingham.
D2 The Jesus of the Parables
Peter Burrows
This course was cancelled due to Peter Burrows' indisposition.
D3 Explorations into the Gospels II
Peter Edmonds SJ
This course is intended as an introduction to the synoptic gospels by examining particular texts from Mark, Matthew and Luke. We want to deepen our familiarity with what each evangelist actually writes, noting particularly the similarities and differences between them when they deal with parallel material. The aim is not only a closer knowledge of the gospel material but also a greater familiarity with the picture of Jesus and of discipleship which each gospel writer was presenting to the audience for which he composed his version of the ‘good news’. Hopefully, participants will grow in sensitivity to the gospel passages which they hear every time they attend the Eucharist, will learn to read the gospels with greater competence and enjoyment, and will grow in their life of the Spirit. The course will combine lecture and discussion and does not demand any specialist knowledge in biblical studies.
Short Bibliography:
The main text is a good modern translation of the gospels. Especially recommended is the New Revised Standard Version, such as is found in the Oxford Annotated Bible.
Peter Edmonds is a Jesuit priest who is a tutor in biblical studies in the University of Oxford.
D4 'Blessed Rage, Blessed Drama': Two Contemporary Theologians
Michael Kirwan SJ
This course will explore the nature and task of theology with reference to two important Catholic theologians: David Tracy (b.1939) of the University of Chicago, and Raymund Schwager (1935-2004), a Swiss Jesuit who was based at the University of Innsbruck.
David Tracy can be described as a ‘public’ theologian. His primary concern is to ensure that theology takes seriously its responsibility towards the wider society, and not just to the academy and to the community of believers. How can Christian theology be ‘pluralistic’ without selling short the truth it must proclaim? Raymund Schwager has spearheaded a ‘dramatic’ approach to theology, which draws on the ‘theodrama’ of Hans Urs von Balthasar and the anthropology of René Girard. This approach sheds light on all aspects of Christian faith: the person of Christ, the meaning of salvation, and the problem of religious-inspired violence in the Bible and in our contemporary world.
The course will consist of a combination of lecture, reading in class and discussion. No previous knowledge of the subject is needed.
Short Bibliography:
- Gaspar Martinez, Confronting the Mystery of God: Political, Liberation and Public Theologies. Continuum, NY and London, 2001.
- Raymund Schwager, 1987, Must There be Scapegoats?: Violence and Redemption in the Bible. Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1987.
- Jesus and the Drama of Salvation. Crossroads NY. 1992.
- David Tracy, The Analogical Imagination: Christian Theology and the Culture of Pluralism. Crossroad, NY, and SCM, London, 1981.
- On Naming the Present: God, Hermeneutics, and Church. Orbis, NY, 1994.
- Blessed Rage for Order: the New Pluralism in Theology (2nd edition). University of Chicago Press, 1996.
Michael Kirwan is a Jesuit priest lecturing in Theology at Heythrop College, University of London
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