TCH506‒ Catholicism Under the Hood for Protestants: Description

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The Roman Catholic faith is one of the world’s most widespread religious traditions, yet the unique aspects of Roman Catholicism elicit perennial questions from devotees and outsiders alike.

Though Catholicism was visited in the Comparative World Religions Courses, students may desire further study.

Such questions tend to fall into 3 major categories: historical backgrounds, theological matters, and personal relationships. Using Catholic Church documents and the writings of Catholic scholars, the course distills the teachings of Catholicism around 40 common questions about Catholic foundations, beliefs, and practices.

The question-and-answer format guides readers to the issues that concern them, including:
• Where do Roman Catholic and Protestant beliefs differ?
• What happens during a Roman Catholic Mass?
• How does Roman Catholicism understand the biblical teaching about Mary?
• Who are the saints and what is their role?
• How do the Catholic and Protestant versions of the gospel differ?

Rather than testing students on the detailed content of the 332-page textbook through quizzes or exams, this course invites meaningful engagement through sustained reflection and personal interaction with the material. Students will respond in writing to the Reflective Questions found at the end of selected chapters, specifically focusing on 14 out of the 40 Question/Chapters. This approach encourages thoughtful engagement with key themes, allowing students to process ideas deeply without the pressure of memorization.

In addition to these chapter-based reflections, students will complete a final assignment (Assignment #16) in which they revisit their initial reading notes—marked with sticky tabs and pencil—and select three personally significant points of interest from anywhere in the book. These will be summarized and reflected upon in light of their theological formation and growth throughout the course.

✓ E‒ Easy
C‒ Comfortable
S‒ Sizable
R‒ Rigorous
F‒ Formidable

Gregg Allison