Students complete a survey of the entire Catholic faith and practice, giving them a foundation for the next seven semesters of Theology education at Routt. Students also study and practice key human virtues and get to know Jesus Christ through reading the Gospel of Matthew and other sacred scripture.

This course provides an introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures with emphasis on the Pentateuch. The Old Testament writings are studied from their historical, literary, and theological viewpoints with consideration of the relevance of the text for contemporary living. Students come to understand the value of the Hebrew Scriptures as a source of revelation for encountering Jesus Christ and the mystery of God.

The first semester of sophomore year focuses on the Hebrew Scriptures with emphasis on God’s Covenant with His people. Christian morality is a continuation of the study of that Sacred Covenant and how we are called as God’s holy people to keep the Covenant. Students are introduced to the theology of Christian moral thought and action. Modern moral issues are explored in the context of current Church teachings. Students gain a deeper understanding of the value of Christian morality in their lives.

Students are introduced to the Christian Scriptures with emphasis on the Gospels. The New Testament writings are studied from their historical, literary, and theological viewpoints with consideration of the relevance of the text for contemporary living. Students come to understand the value of the Christian Scriptures as a source of revelation for encountering Jesus Christ and the mystery of God.

In the second semester, students are encouraged to develop into young people who not only know how the Scriptures and Catholic social teaching call them to justice, but who possess the ability and desire to respond to that call in their daily life. The course is organized around the following themes: 1) Respect for the dignity of each human flows from the fact that all people are created in the image of God; 2) Created in the image and likeness of God the Trinity, human beings are created to be in relationship with God, self, other people and creation; 3) Injustice is ultimately rooted in original sin, the tendency to assert one’s own will over and against the will of God; 4) Love of God and neighbor is the organizing principle of the Christian vision of justice; and 5) The seven themes of Catholic social teaching form the heart of the Catholic church’s social teaching that examines human society in light of the Gospel and church Tradition, for the purpose of guiding Christians as they carry on the mission of Jesus in the world.

Students investigate the development of the Church’s teaching and practice. Church history covers the historical life and meaning of the People of God from the time of Christ to the present. Major points in Church History include: Pentecost, Council of Nicaea and the Ecumenical Councils, Medieval Christianity, Protestant Reformation, Enlightenment and the response of the Church, and Second Vatican Council and the modern Church. This course also covers the sacraments of the Church and importance of the sacramental life. Study of Sacramental theology encompasses the prayer life, liturgy, and the role of the sacraments in the choice of vocation. Students will develop a deeper appreciation for the history of the Church, and understand their own role in the Church’s unfolding life.

In the second semester, students will come to understand they can encounter Christ today in a full and real way in and through the sacraments, and especially through the Eucharist. Students examine each of the sacraments in detail so as to learn how they may encounter Christ throughout life. Students study an overview of the world’s major religions as compared to Christianity. Emphasis is placed on the impact of these religions in the modern world.