Introduction
In this second module of the final section, we are going to finish Pope Benedict XVI’s homilies in his 1986 book, In the Beginning: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall. You will read the second and fourth homilies. You will also comment on the meaning of the biblical creation account and describe how it is connected to the history of science.
Module Objectives
Student will be able to:
- Articulate the contributions of Pope Benedict XVI’s (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) thought to the faith and science dialogue from his homilies In the Beginning: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall.
- Opine on the way his teaching could help peers understand what is meant by a “theology of science.
- Compose a brief essay.
Assignments
Feedback
- Review any comments from the professor.
Lecture
Readings
- Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, In the Beginning: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall, Homily 2: “The Meaning of the Biblical Creation Accounts” and Homily 4: “Sin and Salvation.”
Essay
Tie these homilies to your studies earlier in the course. Compose a brief critical thinking (500-word minimum) essay to respond to these prompts:
- Summarize the homily about sin and salvation and tie this to your earlier essays on what it means to be human and exercise free will. 30 points
- Summarize the second homily tying his comments about the meaning of the biblical creation account to Fr. Jaki’s research on the history of science. 30 points
- Write one paragraph about the way his teaching could help peers understand what is meant by a “theology of science.” 20 points
- Content (see rubric) 10 points
- Expression (see rubric) 10 points
