Author: pvpkottayam

This author has written 147 articles

OBS 851 Hermeneutics

Program : Baccalaureate in Theology Semester : S1 Credits : 1.5 Teacher : Vadakkel T. Aim The word Hermeneutics means “the art and science of the interpretation of literature.” In our case. Biblical literature is what we are interpreting. This course will equip the student to approach the Word of God more seriously, scientifically andpastorally. The Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum, the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s Document. Interpretation of the Bible in the Church and the Post Synodal Exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI Verbum Domini are analysed in the class. Basic principles of Catholic Interpretation of the Scripture in the light of the PB C document is studied in detail. References Added to the above Magisterial Documents, few articles from the NJBC…

Continue ReadingOBS 851 Hermeneutics

OSS 811 Patrology: Syriac Fathers

Program : Baccalaureate in Theology Semester : S6 Credits : 3 Teacher : Kollamkulam A. Aim The aim of this course is to familiarize Syriac theological literature of Christian antiquity. We deal with the following themes here: (1) Odes of Solomon (2) Erroneous teachings of Bardaisan (3) Acts of Thomas (4) Bible in the Syriac tradition (5) Early Syriac Monasticism: Jacob of Nisibis (6) Aphrahat: 23 Demonstrations (7) Ephrem: His Works. Theology of Imageries. Poetic style. Theology of Baptism and Eucharist (8) Book of Steps (9) School of Antioch: Diodore of Tarsus; Theodore of Mopsuestia: Christology and the method of exegesis; Theodore! of Cyrus: Christology (10) History of the School of Edessa/Nisibis: Narsai: liturgical homilies; Babai the Great: Christology (11)…

Continue ReadingOSS 811 Patrology: Syriac Fathers

OSS 810 Patrology: Latin Fathers

Program : Baccalaureate in Theology Semester : Credits : 3 Teacher : Kuzhuppil T. Aim The aim of this course is to familiarize life, works and theology of the Latin Fathers. This course begins with the discussion on the theological reflections of Tertullian of Carthage (d. Ca. 220). and ends with Gregory the Great (d. 604) and Isidore of Seville (d. 636). There is a description of the ecclesiological vision of Cyprian of Carthage. Following it. there is a discussion on the contributions of four great Latin Fathers: Ambrose. Jerome. Augustine and Gregory the Great. Trinitarian mystery explained by Novation and Hilary of Poitiers, writings of Ambrosiaster and Christology of Leo I. are other themes. We conclude with the description…

Continue ReadingOSS 810 Patrology: Latin Fathers

OSS 809 Patrology: Introduction and Greek Fathers

Program : Baccalaureate in Theology Semester : Credits : 4.5 Teacher : Kuzhuppil T. Aim The aim of this course is to introduce life, works and theology of the Greek Fathers. It consists of two parts. Part I: the concept, necessary qualifications of the Fathers of the Church, history of Patrology, language of the Fathers, sources, collection of the texts and modem critical editions. Part II: (1) The Apostolic Fathers (2) The Greek Apologists (Justin. Athenagoras. Theophilus of Antioch) (3) Irenaeus. Clement of Alexandria. Origen. Hippolytus (4) Athanasios. Eusebius of Caesarea. Cyril of Jerusalem. Cappadocian Fathers: Basil. Gregory of Nazianzus. Gregory of Nyssa; Didymus the Blind (5) John Chrysostom. Cyril of Alexandria (6) John Damascene. The Holy Trinity. Mystery of…

Continue ReadingOSS 809 Patrology: Introduction and Greek Fathers

OSS 808 History of Christianity in India

Program : Baccalaureate in Theology Semester : S3 Credits : 4.5 Teacher : Rev. Fr. Kochadampallil M. Aim In the very first century of the Christian era Christianity reached India due to St. Thomas. From the 5th century Indian Church fostered contact with the Church of the East.. In the 16 century due to the Portuguese. Latin rite is introduced in India. Passing through various phases the Indian Christianity today remains a complex one with different rites, different Churches and different regional differences. The complex nature of India with different cultures, languages, religions and other socio-political and economic factors gives Indian Christianity a very different history. The scope of this course is to know how Christianity stood the tide of…

Continue ReadingOSS 808 History of Christianity in India

OBS 108 Theodicy (Philosophy of God)

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S7 Credits : 3 Teacher : Dr Kuttikadan John Lindo Aim Theodicy is conceived, in Thomistic perspective, as a part of Metaphysics, namely as a Science that studies the “being as such” and its principles (God as a Supreme Cause and Principle). The purpose of this course is to help the seminarians to defend their belief in God by the use natural reason. One learns to base his/her arguments on the basic principles of reason and make a thorough and systematic analysis of the data of experience in order to prove that God exists and also to explain the nature and attributes of God. We also discuss in some detail the problem of…

Continue ReadingOBS 108 Theodicy (Philosophy of God)

OBS 121 Systems of Indian Philosophy (Orthodox)

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S3 Credits : 3 Teacher : Dr Thadathil Joseph Aim This topic is designed to give information and insights on epistemological, metaphysical, cosmological, ethical and historical issues of the Indian systems of thought. The Orthodox Systems such as Nyaya, Vaisesika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta are analysed. Sufficient time is allotted to the three schools of Vedanta, namely, Daita of Madhava, Visistadvaita of Ramanuja and Advaita of Sankara. Modern and contemporary Indian thinkers such as Swami Dayanandasaraswathi, Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, S. Radhakrishnan, Chattampi Swamikal and Sri Narayana Guru are well introduced and their thoughts are critically evaluated in this course. References Mahadevan, T.M.P., Invitation to Indian Philosophy, New Delhi, 1974. Thachil, J., An…

Continue ReadingOBS 121 Systems of Indian Philosophy (Orthodox)

OBS 105 Symbolic Logic

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S4 Credits : 3 Teacher : Dr Kuttikadan John Lindo Aim Notion, nature and characteristics of Symbolic logic are discussed at the outset, after treating its history of development. Various truth-functions are introduced as the preparation for the determination of the validity of arguments through truth-table construction. Formal proof of validity is also studied with the rules of inference and replacements. Propositional logic presents also the various forms of statements like tautology, contradiction and contingency. This course focuses also on Predicate Logic with quantification rules. Symbolization of ordinary statements and arguments is introduced with a view to the determination of the validity of arguments in general. References Lee, H.N., Symbolic Logic (1962) Howson,…

Continue ReadingOBS 105 Symbolic Logic

OBS 102 Study of the Encyclical Fides et Ratio

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S2 Credits : 2 Teacher : Prof. Dr. Vadakkel Thomas Aim The purpose of the course is to enable the students to have a healthy relationship between reason and faith. The study of the encyclical Fides et Ratio of Pope John Paul II will give the awareness that though both reason and faith follows its own path, they agree each other for giving meaning to their respective contents and that a separation between them will lead to mutual loss. After presenting the historical, philosophical and theological background and the general structure of the encyclical, we concentrate on the important themes like the revelation of god’s wisdom, the relationship between faith and reason, the…

Continue ReadingOBS 102 Study of the Encyclical Fides et Ratio

OBS 112 Political Philosophy

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S6 Credits : 5 Teacher : Dr. Sankoorikal Martin Francis & Dr Varakath Roy VC Aim The course entitled “Political Philosophy” primarily analyses the nature, structure and functioning of the political society in view of common good. To achieve this end, the course provides a historical and philosophical over view of the development of political philosophy starting from the classical Greek period (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle). Then, it analyses the development of political thought from the inception of Christianity unto the sixteenth century. In addition, a critical analysis of the major political theories and political thinkers of the modern and contemporary period are also undertaken. This is to enable the students to evaluate the…

Continue ReadingOBS 112 Political Philosophy