Where to start?

[rkwright]

I'm not sure if this belongs in this area, but all the theology students\graduates seem to keep a close eye on this board so I'll post it here to get your input.

One of the reasons I came to this board was because I was really impressed with the knowledge and the information that is presented here. If I had it all to do over I would have been a philosophy or theology major, but sadly I go to a large public univerisity, that is mainly science based, and I am a bit too far into my degree plan (I graduate in a few semesters) to totally switch to our very very small philosophy department. So I have been trying to learn as much as I can on the side.

I've been doing my best to just tackle problems as they come up. Look up the early writings on different topics, but I don't think this is the best approach to it. On the other hand I'm a little scared to just sit down and read the Summa theologica to start off. So for all you theology students\grads, if I'm doing this on my own (a weeknight theologian by a stretch of the word) wheres the best place to start? and then go where?

[DAF]

I think it depends on what type of philosophy you're interested in. It seems like you're lookinjg for Catholic Theology, so I would reccommend authors like Keating and Kreeft. Many of their books are good for beginners (though often take at least a thin foreknowledge of the topics discussed).

And if you're interested in the Summa, I would highly reccommend that you get Peter Kreeft's "[u]Summa of the Summa[/u]." He breaks down major parts of the Summa into easy to read language.

Oh, and maybe get "[u]Theology and Sanity[/u]" by Frank Sheed. That's another excellent read (in my opinion anyway).

Then of course there's always great starter books by C.S. Lewis, namely "[u]Mere Christianity[/u]" and, well...just go to your local book store and ask for books by C.S. Lewis on theology. They're easy reads and posess fundamentals of the Faith.

I could go on and on, but that might get you started for now.

And never hesitate to access the wealth of knowledge shelved away on these phora!

Edited November 28, 2005 by DAF

[DAF]

Oh, and Papa Ratzi's (Pope Benedict XVI, formerly known as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's) [u]Introduction to Christianity[/u] is [i]definitely[/i] a worth-while read.

Edited November 28, 2005 by DAF

[rkwright]

I have read through Kreeft's Summa of the Summa, though not every page cover to cover, but a good bit of it. It's still by my bedside.

I have also read Mere Christinaity, and other C.S. Lewis books.

I'll look into the Pope's book, sounds interesting.

If was to enroll in theology 101 what books would be on the syllabus ?

[DAF]

You might get the revised edition of [u]Our Moral Life in Christ: A Basic Course in Moral Theology[/u] by Aurelio Fernandaz and James Socias... I can't think of many others at the moment.

But if you've already read alot of those that I've mentioned, it sounds like you're well on your way to being an amateur theologian!

Edited November 28, 2005 by DAF

[phatcatholic]

when i experienced my reversion, i already had an unrelated bachelors degree under my belt and was starting on the graduate degree equivalent. so, everything i know i learned on my own. basically, what i did was, instead of reading books, i read articles..............lots and lots of articles. every day i read them. every single day. and i prayed before i started, which is also very important.

where did i go for these articles? well, the first catholic website i EVER went to after my reversion was catholic.com (PRAISE THE LORD FOR KARL KEATING!!!!). since the articles there approach catholicism from an apologetical standpoint, instead of a purely theological one, i was actually learning more about apologetics than anything.

from there i moved on to David Armstrong's site, biblicalcatholic.com. this site is an excellent next step b/c his articles are more comprehensive (they answer questions raised in apologetics that catholic.com doesn't answer) and they introduce more theology.

its difficult to recall where i went from there, but what happened was, as i learned more and more about apologetics, i learned more and more about theology and philosophy too. i'll never compare to L_D or Apotheoun, but i try, and i owe what i am able to do to those websites i visited and the articles i read.

one main purpose for the directory is to cut out for the rest of the world the long hours of mere searching that i had to do to quench my desire for knowledge and understanding. i've done all that for you. so, your only task now is to start reading.

what's nice about articles is that they pack a punch: alot of info in a little space. after a year of reading, i was prepared enough to defend the Church on a regular basis. of course, some may take less time, and others more. just let the Spirit lead you towards the information he wants you to learn and towards the purpose He has for you. that's what i did, and its been a crazy ride

anyway, that's been my experience. i hope it helps

pax christi,
phatcatholic

[qfnol31]

Augustine is fairly simple in [i]Confessions[/i]. There's also Pope Benedict in a few works, who doesn't like to use big words (like [i]Spirit of the Liturgy[/i]). I'm trying to think of some other easier philosophers. You might like [i]St. Anthony of the Desert[/i] by Athanasius as well.

[rkwright]

Thanks I'll look into some of these to get a start..

It's not that I'm looking for easy stuff, its ok to be challenged. And I definatly want to get into the indepth stuff. So I'm up for a challenge, but I gotta start somewhere.

I'm willing to do the algebra if someone (or some book) can teach me to add and subtract first.

[phatcatholic]

Theology for Beginners by F. J. Sheed is an EXCELLENT start as well.