Monday, August 31, 2009

Roman Catechism vs. New Catechism

I discovered the Roman Catechism or the Catechism of the Council of Trent a few days ago when I selected my books from the library run. I passed it by in favor of the latter Catechism (published in '94) but decided to check it out the following days.

I love it. The prose is stately and compelling, combining the grace of the medieval Church with the polemic power of Trent. Cardinel Joseph Ratzinger (more popularly known now as Pope Benedict XVI) said it's the most important catechism penned, and he even worked on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). Thus, to kick off my theology studies, I shall read the Roman Catechism. I've got to about page 50 of 600, and I should finish in less than six weeks if I read about 10 pages a day, and 50 during the weekends. However, I am also reading the introductory theology text by Alister Mcgrath, which I rather adore, despite his being an evangelical Anglican (though the bias is scarecely noticable).

The Catechism is divided into expositions of four sections of Christian life: the Credo, the Sacraments, the Decalogue, and the Lord's Prayer. The Apostles' Creed, Sacraments, the Ten Commandments, and the Our Father are the fourfold manner of instruction according to the Medievals. Incidentally (or probably purposefully) this pattern is replicated in the '94 Catechism.

Now we know what I will be studying! After dear old Trent I will likely read (quickly) through the '94 Catechism and see what's different. All of them should be finished by the end of the semester and then it's on to something exciting.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Theology Minor

Often I wish I had been able to become a theology minor. If I were at a standard university, I probably would have double majored in philosophy and theology with a minor in music performance. But since I attend St. John's, which has language and history of math/science instead, I pursue both of these studies independantly. To this end, I am beginning a study of theology, and over the next two years, hope to read the greatest theological classics ever penned, from Irenaeus to Barth, though I'll likely focus on the Patristic Period and the Scholastics - my true heart and soul. I will shortly compose a list of authors and titles, but here is my preliminary interest, the major thinkers of the Patristic Period:
  • Irenaeus, Against Heresies
  • Justin Martyr, Apologies
  • Tertullian
  • Athanasius, On the Incarnation
  • Augustine, City of God, etc.
  • Origen, De Principiis

There are lots of other brilliant theologians, but these will give me plenty of thought food. I will begin them next summer at the earliest; my first attempt will be reading the entire Summa Theologica, which I should like to begin next semester.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Mild Success

I did get to read a good deal this summer, so I am more or less satisfied, but I accomplished less (surprise surprise) than I hoped. I have not yet finished Don Quixote, so I'll put in that work till Thursday seminar. I am going to follow Lewis' reading advice; three old books per new book. Every now and then I like reading modern literature, especially science fiction and fantasy, e.g. Weis, Heinlein, Herbert, etc. I have found that I rebel against myself and indulge in modern literature when I focus too much on ancient work. This summer I read a fair bit of modern literature, especially Wilson Rawls, but I also discovered Christian Theology: An Introduction. Written by an evangelical Anglican, it is nonetheless a fabulous introduction to that dazzling darkness of theology. After finishing Don Quixote (and sneaking in time between seminar readings) I wish to complete that work, and then begin reading all (or most) of freshman year again, beginning with the Iliad. Interspersed with this will be random modern works, starting with Dune.

Let's get to work then. Finish Don Quixote by Wednesday or so and then read my theology book. Alister McGrath is on deck, with Homer in the hole.