A.M.D.G.
Welcome to
LIVING THEOLOGY 2009
At Ampleforth - Edinburgh - Liverpool- London (Heythrop College)
This is Living Theology 2009 |
|---|
| (Participants can choose TWO courses to follow for the week, ONE course from Series A, and ONE course from Series B) |
|
|---|---|
Ampleforth - Series A Course Options |
|
A1. Unveiling the Heavenly Liturgy of the Apocalypse How can we attune ourselves to appreciate more fully the rich symbolism and poetry of the visions of heavenly worship in the Apocalypse? How might the Apocalypse’s original audience have comprehended its heavenly-temple liturgy (Rev 4-5)? What influence has this vision had on subsequent Christian liturgy, art and music? We will begin our sessions by contextualizing the Apocalypse’s description of the heavenly-temple liturgy by probing the symbolism of the wilderness tabernacle/Jerusalem temple as well as considering influential ancient Jewish visions of the heavenly temple/throne. The heart of the course will consist of a close reading of the symbolic imagery and poetic language of the visions of the heavenly liturgy in the Apocalypse, principally focusing on chapters 4 and 5. We will conclude by reflecting on some aspects of the extensive influence that the Apocalypse’s visions of the heavenly liturgy has had on Christian liturgy, art and music, from the earliest centuries to the present day. The course will consist principally of structured lectures (including power-point presentations of art images) but with an opportunity for questions and discussion in each session. Short Bibliography:
|
Sean Ryan is a Visiting Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Heythrop College, London. |
A2.The Ecological Crisis: a triple cry of Earth, the poor and the gods
The course will present the environmental crisis as a triple cry of the Earth, of the poor and of the gods. First of all, an attempt will be made to offer a comprehensive understanding of the present day ecological crisis that ravages the planet Earth and threatens its capacity to be a ‘home’ (oikos) any longer for all living creatures. Secondly, the ecological crisis is also the cry of the poor as they are the ones who, in spite of having contributed least to causing it, will have to shoulder in a hugely disproportionate manner the short and long terms effects of the crisis. In this sense, the ecological crisis raises some important questions regarding justice and human solidarity. Thirdly, the ecological crisis may also be termed as the cry of the gods as the crisis has its spiritual roots in the incapacity of humans to look at nature as a ‘symbol’ of God’s presence and to care for God’s creation as its responsible stewards. Course Methodology: Hand-outs will be offered during the course, besides employing audio-visual aids. Time will also be provided for personal reflection on the issues dealt with and for group discussion. Suggested Bibliography:
|
Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam (Josh) is a Salesian of Don Bosco who teaches philosophy of science and environmental philosophy at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome. He is also engaged in the formation process of the young seminarians of his order who study theology in Rome and lives with them. |
A3 The Parish and Canon Law Parish structures as we have known them are coming under considerable increasing pressure today because of resource implications. Aligned with that is the desire of lay people to take their place in contributing ‘to the building up of the Body of Christ’ (canon 208). This course will consider the parish as it is today, along with other pastoral options that are available, and consider issues such as merging/clustering, lay leadership, rights and obligations, the process of consultation, and appropriate formation of lay leaders. No previous knowledge presumed. Lectures with opportunities for questions and some discussion. Suggested Bibliography:
|
Helen Costigane teaches Canon Law, Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology at Heythrop College, University of London |
A4 Restoring the Big Picture of the Bible For over 150 years, the Bible has been critically analysed and reduced to smaller and smaller parts for closer scrutiny. Much has been gleaned about the Bible as literature and, to a lesser extent, as history in this time. The downside of this analysis has been the loss of the ‘Grand Scheme’ of the Bible as it pertains to revelation. The purpose of this course is an attempt at beginning a re-synthesis of Scripture in a way that makes the Bible relevant to today. Utilising three themes, Incarnation, Mission and Sacrifice as illustrated by four persons of the Bible, Abraham, Jonah, Jesus and Paul, we will look for a unified picture of the world, humankind and the Church that is still viable and vibrant for our lives today. As this requires some basic definitions and a setting aside of many prejudices about Scripture, this course is available to all, requiring no prior preparation. All are welcome. Suggested Bibliography:
|
Fr. Peter Burrows is a biblical scholar trained at a Jewish seminary and at Harvard in the USA; he is also a psychotherapist. He teaches at Allen Hall Seminary in London and has done lay education in the Church for over 50 years. He has taught widely at universities, seminaries and institutes in the US and in the UK. |
A5 Living Catholic Social Teaching in our everyday lives This course will be an exploration of some of the main principles of Catholic Social teaching and how we can embody them in our every day lives. A creative, participatory workshop approach will be used to look at themes such as solidarity, option for the poor and environmental justice. Each session will involve input, reflection and sharing – very much workshop style with audio visual as well. The course does not presume any previous knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching. The five sessions will include: 1. An introduction to Catholic Social Teaching 2. Living solidarity and the common good 3. Living environmental justice 4. Living the option for the poor 5. Living as Church community (stewardship) Short Bibliography:
|
Susy Brouard is CAFOD’s justice spirituality facilitator based in London and she will be working in conjunction with the CAFOD Middlesbrough office |
Click here to download and print a BOOKING FORM
|
(Participants can choose TWO courses to follow for the week , ONE course from Series A, and ONE course from Series B) |
Living Theology is under the auspices of the Trustees for Roman Catholic Purposes Reg. No. 230165
All material (c) copyright 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Terms and conditions for use of this web site apply