NOTICE: This is an older course recorded with Adobe Connect and/or Vimeo recordings. We are currently working to replace the recordings with new Zoom recordings.  Please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

Dear Student,

This course is scheduled to be retired on June 30, 2025.  You may continue using this course; however, we highly suggest moving to the new, updated course. Please look in our Theology section for a comparable course.

How to get the most out of Introduction to the Development of Doctrine & the Catechism of the Catholic Church with Dr. Marlon De La Torre, MA, MEd. Ph.D:

• First, read the course materials before starting the course. This will provide you with a good orientation of the course.

• Have a notebook ready and available to take notes for each class. This will help you through each class.

• It is important to read every assignment prior to the class for that week.

• Watch the recorded class. Please be sure to take notes and study the Power Point slides associated with each class.

• Study and review each power point slide associated with each class.

• Complete all required reading and homework assignments, quizzes that is applicable for this weeks class. Please turn in your work to your parent for grading.

• Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Total Classes: 12

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: What is required for someone to take this course? The student should have some basic familiarity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church which would be beneficial but not necessary. What is recommended? My recommendation is for the student to begin to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd. Edition 2002 and begin to familiarize yourself with the teachings of the Catholic Church and how they are taught in the Catechism. I would begin by reading section/Pillar four on prayer and then read section one the Profession of Faith.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested High School Credit: One full semester Theology

Instructor: Dr. Marlon De La Torre, MA, MEd. Ph.D

Course Description: This course will specifically address the Church’s teaching on the Development of Church doctrine as revealed in Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The student will have the opportunity to study Sacred Scripture in relation to the doctrinal teachings of the Catholic Church and how the Catechism of the Catholic Church reveals and articulates doctrine. The student will also develop a knowledge and understanding of the origins of the Creed, the schema (scheme-development) of our Catholic faith and the relationship between the Word of God and the Creed.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to Divine Revelation

2. Introduction to the Creed

3. Introduction to the Development of Doctrine

4. The origins of the Catechism

5. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

6. What is the difference between doctrine and dogma

Course Materials:

There is a list of resources needed for the course below. All resources can be purchased via Amazon or any online bookseller.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd. Ed. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops** Note: This resource is available online through the USCCB via their Catechism page. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is available online for free.

• Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine: St. John Henry Newman

• Sacred Scripture: RSV Catholic 2nd. Ed. Ignatius Press

• Creed of the People of God: St. Paul VI *** (Can be accessed online)

• The First Catechetical Instruction: St. Augustine (Can be accessed online)

• Theology for Beginners: Frank Sheed

• Theology and Sanity: Frank Sheed

Homework: How much homework is there? There will be weekly writing assignments based on the class instruction and reading assignments.

Exams: There will be two (2-3 page) essay exams for this course covering specific doctrines of the faith and one specific exam that will require the student to demonstrate the development of a doctrinal teaching of the Catholic Church.

Expected Weekly Reading: Students should be reading Sacred Scripture and specific articles of the Catechism on a weekly basis based on the course content. Theology for Beginners and Theology and Sanity by Frank Sheed and the First Catechetical Instruction by St. Augustine will serve as main texts along with Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Please Note: Please make sure you keep up with the reading assignments.

If you have any questions please contact us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2020 Homeschool Connections and Dr. Marlon De La Torre, MA, MEd. Ph.D. All rights reserved. This course is designed by Dr. Marlon De La Torre, MA, MEd. Ph.D.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.