Theology
Studying Theology Online, Through Distance Learning
Domuni Universitas bases its project on the tradition of the Church and in particular of the Order of Preachers. For this purpose, Domuni follows the directives of Pope Francis, as specified in the apostolic constitution Veritatis Gaudium, in which he calls for
- “overcoming this divorce between theology and pastoral care, between faith and life”,
- “transcending the limits of their own diocese [and be] prepared in spirit to preach the Gospel everywhere”,
- “a culture of encounter because truth is logos which creates dia-logos, and hence communication and communion”,
- “inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches”, to do “networking between institutions worldwide”,
- “an open thought”, because “The theologian who is satisfied with his complete and conclusive thought is mediocre”,
- “a radical paradigm shift or [even] a bold cultural revolution.”
To this end, he wishes for a “Church as a “mystique” of living together”, for “a spirituality of that global solidarity which flows from the mystery of the Trinity.” It is not a matter of being “limited to passing on knowledge, professional competence and experience” but rather of “taking up the urgent task of developing intellectual tools that can serve as paradigms for action and thought, useful for preaching in a world marked by ethical and religious pluralism.”
A CONTEMPLATIVE STUDY OF THEOLOGY
Contemplare et aliis contemplata tradere, said Saint Thomas Aquinas. The teaching of theology at Domuni University aims to communicate to students the delight of the Word of God, the taste of contemplated truth, the intellectual courage to understand and express in one’s own words what one believes.
Domuni’s theology courses are taught by committed professors who often live in religious communities. They live by practicing what they believe and offer the theological training and education that are enriched by a theological and sapiential life.
TRANS-DISCIPLINARY AND TRANS-CULTURAL APPROACHES FOR THEOLOGY
Domuni University favors, in its various faculties, the trans-disciplinary approach desired by Pope Francis. Domuni University also wishes to establish a trans-culturality, a dialogue between cultures. The university’s faculties are multilingual and the students can communicate in their own languages through forums. The globalization of the economy must be matched by a globalization of morals and thought. Distance learning, through the Internet, is a privileged way to achieve this with great results, while using economically limited means. The Faculty of Theology allows this exchange to happen, whether between students and professors, between different disciplines and also between different linguistic cultures. The forums are accessible to all, in different languages, and the bibliographies are shared just as much as the publications.
A theologian must be capable of analytical and logical thinking, critical reasoning, and having a clear argumentation. He or she must be able to express himself or herself convincingly in writing and speaking. These skills may have been honed in a previous university education. Conversely, the study of theology can allow the new student to address, in a new fashion, questions that arise in his or her profession, at the ethical and anthropological levels, or at the historical and social levels... In this way, a dialogue is established between disciplines, allowing for that true trans-disciplinarity that Pope Francis wishes for universities (Veritatis Gaudium 4, c).
IN THE HEART OF A NETWORK OF UNIVERSITY CENTERS FOR THEOLOGICAL STUDY AND RESEARCH
Domuni University benefits from an extensive network of professors, partner institutions and centers of study. The network ranges from the Ecole Biblique et Archéologique de Jérusalem to the Université Catholique de Louvain, and includes institutions in Rome, Madrid, Cambridge, Bogota, Washington, Ibadan, Johannesburg, Beirut, Baghdad, etc.