Philosophy and Theology - Sacraments. Baptism & Confirmation

I. SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL

Introduction.

Preliminaries: Signs
Preliminaries: What is liturgy?
What is Fundamental Theology of the Sacraments?
Describe the relationship of Sacramental Theology with Christology, Ecclesiology and Sacred Liturgy.
Define "Mysterion"; "Sacramentum". Why is this the theological-hermeneutical key of the treatise. What is hermeneutics?
What are the sources of Sacramental Theology?

From the Mystery of Christ to the Sacraments [Appendix]

What is the content of the "Mystery" in the New Testament (mainly in St. Paul's Epistles) and where is it revealed?
Does this "Mystery" continue? If so, in what form?
How is the "Mystery" attained and made visible?
How appropriate or fitting is the Sacramental economy to the condition of man in need of salvation?

The concept of Sacrament of the New Law

Trace the theological development which leads to the specific definition of Sacrament, from the patristic period to the beginnings of the scholastic period.
Analyse the notion of Sacrament. What is the concept of Sacrament according to St Thomas Aquinas?
What is the stand of the Protestant reformers?
Describe the Sacramental doctrine of the Council of Trent and of the Roman Catechism.
How about the contemporary renewal of Sacramental Theology? Can you discuss the Sacramental doctrine in Vatican II and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church? What direction did post-Vatican II theology take?

Origin of the Sacraments

Who is the principal author of the Sacraments?
What do we mean when we speak of the Christological origin of the Sacraments?
Describe the way the Sacramental sign was determined by Christ.
What authority has the Church have over the Sacraments?
What about the number of the Sacraments?
Does the Sacramental order make sense from the anthropological and ecclesiological points of view?

The Sacramental sign

Salvific content of the Sacraments

Why distinguish between the res et Sacramentum and the res tantum?
Explain the three-fold meaning of the Sacraments: (i) the source of sanctification in the Paschal Mystery, announced and prefigured in the Old Testament; (ii) the actual sanctification; (iii) its consummation in glory.
How about the cultural dimension of the Sacraments? Can we consider the Sacraments as expressions of faith?

Sanctification through the Sacraments

The Sacramental character

Where can we find the doctrine about the character in Sacred Scripture and Tradition?
What is the nature of the character?
Which Sacraments imprint character?
Does the character involve a mission? some grace? Explain.

Salvific efficacy of the Sacraments

What does efficacy ex opere operato mean? Does it make the opus operantis superfluous for sanctification?
What do we mean by the operative presence of the Holy Spirit in the Sacraments?
What is the efficacy of the Sacraments in relation to the faith of the Church and of the subject?
Instrumental causality of the Sacraments.

Minister of the Sacraments

Minister of Christ and of the Church: What spiritual power is necessary to carry out validly the Sacrament?
Is the intention of the minister necessary for validity?
When are the Sacraments administered sub condicione (conditionally)?
Does the validity and efficacy of the Sacraments depend on the faith and sanctity of the minister?
Should the minister have good moral dispositions?
Are there situations in which there is an obligation to give or to deny the Sacraments?

Subject of the Sacraments

What are the conditions for the valid reception of the Sacraments?
What moral dispositions are needed for a fruitful reception of the Sacraments?
How does one assure an active and conscious participation in the Sacramental liturgy?
Recovery of the Sacraments?

Baptism in Sacred Scripture

What figures and prophecies of Baptism are there in the Old Testament revelation?
How about the baptism of John?
Relate the institution of Baptism in the Gospels.
Describe the effusion of the Holy Spirit and Baptism in the Acts of the Apostles.

The effects of Baptism

What does participation in the Death and Resurrection of Christ mean? And incorporation into the Church?
What is the effect of Baptism on sin and the punishments due to it?
Explain what new life in Christ means: divine filiation through sanctifying grace, the supernatural virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
What character does Baptism confer? What does this character entitle one to?
Why does one start to share in the common priesthood of the faithful with Baptism? What does common priesthood mean?

Sacramental sign and minister

Describe the rite of Baptism.
What are the conditions for validity?
What are the conditions for licitness?
Who is the ordinary minister and the extra-ordinary minister in emergency cases?

Necessity and subject

How necessary is Baptism for salvation?
What is baptism of blood? of desire?
Why is Baptism a Sacrament of Christian initiation?
Who can receive Baptism (general conditions of the subject)?
Explain the why and wherefore of the Baptism of children: historical evolution, legitimacy, special cases; the destiny of children who died without receiving Baptism.
Explain the catechumenate, dispositions for validity, and special cases in the Baptism of adults.

Confirmation in Sacred Scripture and in the life of the Church

Where can we find the institution of Confirmation in the New Testament revelation?
Descibe the liturgical practice of the primitive Church and the distinction between Baptism and Confirmation.
How did these diversify later on?
How about the practice of the Eastern Churches?
Is Confirmation really a Sacrament?

The gift of the Holy Spirit

Sacramental sign, minister, necessity and subject

Describe the liturgical celebration of Confirmation.
What is Chrism? Describe the anointing with chrism and the formula; historical evolution; conditions of validity and licitness.
Who is the minister in the Eastern and Western traditions.
How necessary is this Sacrament? What is its place in Christian initiation.
Who can receive Confirmation?