Introduction to the Reformation and to Catholic-Protestant Ecumenical Dialogues

This course considers the origins of Protestantism against its late medieval background, the variety of Protestant traditions (Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican), and the initial Catholic response to Protestantism, especially the Council of Trent (1545-1563).  We will identify and analyze the traditional areas of Catholic-Protestant doctrinal disagreement, especially scripture and tradition, sin and justification, and the sacraments.  Attention will be given to the ecumenical imperative of Vatican II (Unitatis redintegratio) and subsequent papal teaching (especially Ut Unum Sint), followed by a study of the chief Catholic-Protestant ecumenical dialogues since Vatican II (especially the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification), their results, and the current state of ecumenical relations between the Catholic Church and the various Protestant communities.