Old Catholic Theology: Contexts and Calling - Track

Description

Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. The courses in the first week will offer a broad overview of main topics and themes in Old Catholic theology and spirituality which will be deepened in the courses of the second week.

The topics covered by the course include the following aspects of Old Catholic theology and tradition: the history of Old Catholicism, fundamental and liturgical theology, spirituality, ecumenism, canon law and ecclesiology, liturgy, and systematic theology.

The courses will be taught by experts in Old Catholic theology of the Old Catholic Seminary, Utrecht.

The course includes excursions to, among others, a major collection of related religious art (Museum Catharijneconvent). The beginning of the course is marked by attending the Eucharist in St. Gertrud’s Cathedral, facilitating an encounter with ‘lived Old Catholicism’.

Besides the programme of lectures and seminars, social activities will be organised to meet and get to know each other. This, we believe, is important because studying theology is also studying in practice, in relation with the other students from all different contexts.

At the end of the course, students will have a deepened knowledge of, and insight into Old Catholic theology and ecumenical Catholicity. You will be able to apply this knowledge in theological reflection and research. The course is partly at the introductory level of an M.Div. curriculum and partly at the advanced level of a MA curriculum. Good BA students may also apply, as well as others. Students may be expected to do advance reading for the course.

This track combines the two courses of Old Catholic Theology: Faith, History and Praxis and Ecumenical Catholicity: The Old Catholic Witness. For more information about the course you can read the separate course pages. It is also possible to participate in only one of the two weeks.

Lecturers

• The Rev. Dr. Mattijs Ploeger - Systematic Theology and Liturgical studies
• The Rt. Rev. Dr. Dirk Jan Schoon - Church History
• The Rev. Prof. Dr. Peter-Ben Smit - Ecumenism
• Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs - Old Catholic and Ecumenical Theology

And others, to be announced.

Target audience

• Students of theology interested in Old Catholicism and ecumenism;
• Clergy and theologians interested in Old Catholicism and ecumenism;
• Laypersons with formal or informal theological training interested in Old Catholicism and ecumenism.

The course is of specific interest to students from Anglican, Orthodox, Lutheran, Old Catholic and ecumenical backgrounds.

Aim of the course

Upon completing the course:

• The student will be familiar with central aspects of Old Catholic identity and theology;
• The student will be familiar with the key tenets of Old Catholic reflection on communion in theology and history;
• The student will be able to apply this knowledge in theological reflection and research;
• The student will be able to undertake further independent study of aspects of Old Catholic theology
• Students will be familiar with the historical emergence of Old Catholic ecumenical commitment and relationships
• Students will have gained insight into the theological dimensions of Old Catholic ecumenism
• Students will be able to relate the historical and ecumenical dimensions of the Old Catholic tradition to their own position.

Study load

Two weeks of which each week has four contact hours per day.

About 60-80 hours of preparatory self-study will be required.

Tags

• biblical studies
• church
• Old Catholic
• old catholic theology
• Utrecht