CS3153 —

Sacraments Of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist

GDT, MTS, MDiv (Integrative: Worship and Mission)(Min. No. 6)

2nd semester Monday evening Crosslisted as DT3753

Content

“Christians are made, not born” (Tertullian). This unit explores with ecumenical sensitivity the origin, history, meaning and value, of the processes involved in persons becoming Christians. The starting point is a panorama of the contemporary Church and world as the social context for Christian initiation today. The unit includes an investigation of the relevant theological principles for effectively celebrating the prescribed rituals of Christian initiation, whether for adults, children, or infants. In tandem with this investigation, different types and forms of catechesis (teaching) for different stages of the journey of faith are highlighted. Finally, the unit singles out the Eucharist as both the high point of the journey for persons joining the Church, and as the repeatable and ongoing sacrament of Christian initiation.

Prerequisites

CS3272 or equivalent foundational unit in Systematic Theology

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. articulate major insights from the histories and theologies of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
2. identify both progress and decline in the theory and practice of Christian initiation
3. analyse relevant developments in church teachings
4. identify the meanings, worth and beauty, of the various rituals of Christian initiation today
5. exhibit written skills in communicating up-to-date and appealing insights into the different processes employed in persons becoming Christians
6. show familiarity with and appreciation of, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), including a. what it says about Christian discipleship, and b. what it implies about all forms of church ministry
7. demonstrate an ability to engage with relevant contemporary literature on Christian initiation.

Assessment

1500 word book review (25%); 1500 word presentation (25%); 3000 word essay (50%)

Bibliography

Baldovin, John. Bread of Life, Cup of Salvation: Understanding the Mass. Lanham, MD: Sheed & Ward, 2003.

Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. Faith and Order Paper No. 111. Geneva: World Council of Churches, 1982.

Browning, Ron. Taking the Plunge: Seeking, Accompanying, Baptising. East Melbourne: Spectrum Publications, 2008.

Johnson, Maxwell. The Rites of Christian Initiation: Their Evolution and Interpretation. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999.

Mazza, Enrico. The Celebration of the Eucharist: The Origin of the Rite and the Development of its Interpretation. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999.

O’Loughlin, Frank. Christ Present in the Eucharist. Strathfield, NSW: St Paul Publications, 2000.

Lecturer

Peter Dikoš SVD