Theology at AMU

Faculty Spotlight Interview: Dr. Jeffrey Walkey

Where are you from?

Lafayette, IN

Why did you pursue a career in theology?

I had a lot of questions in my early twenties. I turned to books for answers. That led me to begin reading theology and philosophy. This eventually led to my taking some courses. I was then encouraged by a professor to pursue graduate studies…and here I am.

How long have you been a professor?

I am finishing up my sixth year.

What classes do you teach?

I have had the opportunity to teach our core Scripture and doctrine courses at the undergraduate level, Sacraments at the MA-level, and PhD seminars on the Trinity and Theological Exegesis.

What are your research interests and what are you currently working on?

Admittedly, my interests vary. My research often deals with the contemporary relevance of St. Thomas Aquinas for topics like the doctrine of God, the theology of faith, the passions, and hermeneutics. I have also done some work on the use of language in theology, the relationship between nature and grace, and the theological implications of the kenotic “hymn” of Phil 2.

What is the best book you’ve read this year?

John Boyle’s Aquinas on Scripture

What hobbies do you enjoy beyond your academic pursuits?

Drawing with my kids. We sometimes pick four random words and have to draw something that pertains to all four words. It is a lot of fun. I’ve also been known to draw goofy pictures in class, to make a point.

Faculty Spotlight Interview: Dr. Gerald Boersma

Where are you from?

I grew up in Canada (around Vancouver) and the Netherlands.        

Why did you pursue a career in theology?

“Already in high school I found theological questions not only interesting, but deeply significant. As an undergraduate I discovered academic life to be invigorating and enriching.  I loved conversing with classmates, taking in lectures from professors, and enjoyed the academic work required.  The ambiance of campus life during my undergraduate years was very positive and I was attracted to the idea of working in such an academic community.

However, it was only as a graduate student (first at Ave Maria University and then at the University of Durham) that I came to think of academic theology as not simply a subject that I enjoyed and with which I had some facility so as plausibly to make a living, but as calling, a vocation.  I had to stop and think seriously about what it means to be a "theologian.”  How do I live out that vocation?  If God blessed me with the temperament, skills, and resources to make the disciplined and systematic engagement of revelation my life’s work, how could I best do so in His service?  With much advice and direction, I came to see that there are two fundamental things involved in being a theologian.  (And, I continue to work on both of these.)  First, striving to contemplate with wonder and rigor the truths of revelation. Second, handing on such truth to students in a winsome and compelling manner such that they desire to make the truth their own.

How long have you been a professor?

About twelve years. I taught at St. Bonaventure University for five years before coming to Ave Maria in 2017.            

What classes do you teach, and which is your favorite?

I teach at different levels, and each has its own joys.

I enjoy teaching Sacred Doctrine which is a class for sophomores and serves as an introduction to theology.  It is important to help students see how the mysteries of the faith connect with one another.

I enjoy teaching an MA class on the theology of Augustine.  It is difficult to overestimate the theological significance of Augustine.

I also regularly lead a PhD seminar on the Greek Fathers.  Certain anthropological and theological suppositions of the Greek Fathers are quite distinct from our own, which is a delight to explore.  

What are your research interests and what are you currently working on?

My research focuses on Patristic theology, especially fourth and fifth century Latin Christianity and the thought of Augustine.  I’m currently writing a book on Augustine and the vision of God.  Also, I’m interested in theology of Aquinas, particularly how he speaks about experiential knowledge of God.

What is the best book you’ve read this year?

I just finished reaching Peter Kwasniewski’s book “The Ecstasy of Love in the Thought of Thomas Aquinas.”  It was a superb read!

What hobbies do you enjoy beyond your academic pursuits?

I enjoy traveling with my family: exploring new places with my children. I also enjoy cycling and distance running.                                                                        

Hell Panel

On October 12th, the Ave Maria Theology Department hosted a panel discussion at the Daily Grind entitled “What the Hell?” Dr. Michael Dauphinais, Dr. Adam Van Wart, and Dr. Jefferey Walkey each gave a short presentation on the topic of hell

Dr. Walkey focused on the need to maintain the reality and eternity of hell. He discussed varying conceptions of the doctrine of hell throughout the history of the church, touching on subjects like universalism and annihilationism and discussing figures like Origen and von Balthasar.

Dr. Van Wart’s presentation discussed the importance of distinguishing between two things that are frequently lumped together under the term hell: hades, and Gehenna. Hades he explained is that place where the souls of the damned reside currently, awaiting the last judgment. Gehenna on the other hand is that place which Christ tells us has been set aside for the damned and the fallen angels to spend eternity. Dr. Van Wart argues that these two places are clearly distinct in Scripture and so we should take care not to equate the two.

Finally, Dr. Dauphinais began his presentation with the startling claim that (in some sense) we are already in hell. Drawing largely from the thought of Lewis, Dr. Dauphinais offered a way of thinking of hell, not as a place of corporal, fiery punishment, but rather as a place of intense loneliness, resentment, and hatred. As Lewis famously said, the gates of hell are locked from the inside. With such a view of hell, Dr. Dauphinais argued, we can understand ourselves as already imperfectly participating in a hellish existence on account of the unhappiness we inflict on ourselves in this life through our own sins. This idea of our being in hell already is paradoxically paralleled by the idea that through our participation in grace, we are also already in heaven. This life, then, is in between these two states and the way we make our way through it will determine which of the two we will continue in for eternity.

John Cavadini at Ave Maria

The Theology Department at Ave Maria was thrilled to welcome Dr. John Cavadini to campus to offer a lecture and lead a Master Seminar on the thought of St. Augustine on October 27th and 28th. Dr. Cavadini is currently a professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, where he specializes in the history of Christianity. He has also served as the director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame since 2000. As Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, he inaugurated the Echo program in catechetical leadership, the Notre Dame Vision program for high school students and is responsible for the continued growth and outreach of the McGrath Institute, which partners with Catholic dioceses, parishes, and schools to address pastoral challenges with theological depth and rigor.

On Thursday evening, Dr. Cavadini presented a lecture entitled “Education and Culture in St. Augstine’s Confessions.” Throughout the talk, Dr. Cavadini drew on themes from both the Confessions and the De Doctrina Christiana to discuss the idea of humility in education and culture. He discussed how, for Augustine, the idea of prestige must be rightly ordered. We ought not desire a “sticky” prestige, that lands on us and us alone, but rather all prestige and honor directed towards us we should graciously accept but ultimately refer to God as the only one truly deserving of it.

In Friday’s Master Seminar, Dr. Cavadini focused on the concepts of prophecy and miracle in the City of God. Cavadini noted that we ought not to focus on the fact of miracles, or on the fulfillment of prophecies (though, these are certainly important aspects), but rather on the plan that they reveal. Future-telling, he said, is not the point of prophecy—indeed, pagans were apparently able to do this as well. Therefore, it would be a mistake to image that the truth of the Christian faith in proved by the existence of miracle or the accuracy of prophecies. Rather, they reveal a plan of love at work in the universe and it is by recognizing this plan that we are moved to recognize the truth of the Catholic faith.  

C.S. Lewis Movie Showing

On September 13th, the Theology Department at Ave Maria University hosted a viewing of The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis. The movie tells the true story of the conversion of C.S. Lewis from atheism to Christianity. Based on the one-man theatrical production of the same name, written and performed by Max McLean, the story is told from the point of view of an older Lewis looking back on his life. A series of flashbacks narrated by Lewis (portrayed once again by McLean) recount how a strained relationship with his father and the tragic death of his mother ultimately led Lewis to embrace an entirely materialistic and atheistic worldview. Lewis’ ultimate conversion to Christianity took many years, and as the name of the movie suggests, was a step he was very reluctant to take. He found, however, that ultimately, “Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning.”

           After the movie, the audience was able to engage with Mr. McLean in a virtual Q/A session. Mr. McLean discussed how his inspiration to create the original theatrical production was in part due to his own conversion to Christianity. Mr. McLean also discussed his plans for a sequel production, entitled Further Up. Further In. While the original play and movie told the story of Lewis’ life up to his acceptance of Christianity, the sequel will follow him through the later portion of his life, looking at how he went from budding convert to world renowned Christian apologist.

Waldstein gives Graduate Seminar

This past Friday and Saturday all members of the Graduate Theology Program at Ave Maria University gathered together for the year’s first Graduate Seminar. The Graduate Seminars are an integral part of the graduate theology program at Ave Maria; a time for faculty and students to come together in a seminar led by an outside scholar. This seminar was led by former professor and long-time friend of Ave Maria University, Dr. Michael Waldstein.

           Dr. Waldstein presented on and led a discussion about his new book, Glory of the Logos in the Flesh: Saint John Paul’s Theology of the Body. The book, recently published my Ave Maria’s Sapientia Press, offers a comprehensive commentary on St. John Paull II’s theology of the body, the essential aim of which is to show that, “the human body in its masculinity and femininity is an image of the Trinity.” This central theme was the topic of discussion throughout the two-day Master Seminar.

Among the specific questions considered were how we ought to understand St. Thomas Aquinas’ presentation of the Trinity in the analogy of the word, or the psychological analogy. An analogy in which the Second and Third Persons of the Trinity are viewed as the processions of an internal word and corresponding love in the mind of God. This image of the Trinity was compared with that of the interpersonal analogy. Questions were raised concerning which of the two images of the Trinity ought to be considered primary, what the truth value of St. Thomas’ account is, and whether or not it should be considered as virtually contained within the deposit of faith.

Another topic of discussion was how we are to understand the role of the body in the imago Dei. Is it the case, since God is in no way material, that, therefore, the body of man plays no role in his being created in the image of God? Or is there a way in which we can include the body in our understanding of this image—not according to a likeness of natures (as we do with the intellectual part of man) but insofar as the body is a manifestation of, and therefore an image of, personal existence, thereby manifesting God’s own personal existence.

We thank Dr. Waldstein for occasioning such important and edifying discussions and look forward to welcoming him back again in the future.

The Theology Department at Ave Maria University began this fall semester with a theological retreat for all members of its Patrick F. Taylor Graduate Theology Programs. Professors and students joined together to begin the new Academic Year with prayer, mediation, and reflection on the spirit and mission of the Program.

           The retreat began Friday morning with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Dominic Verner, O.P. Fr. Verner then led the members of the program in a meditation on the glory of the cross. Throughout the rest of the retreat, the concept of glory was a recurrent theme with presentations considering the true meaning of glory, how all our works ought to be ordered towards the Glory of God, and especially on how the vocation of the theologian is to propound God’s glory in a special way.

           The group was also encouraged to consider the unique features of the Program’s mission and spirit. The Ph.D. Program Director, Dr. Michael Dauphinais, especially noted the Program’s emphasis on the sapiential unity of theology. Contrary to modern trends in many institutions of theological study, the Graduate Programs at Ave Maria recognize that, while it can often be beneficial, even necessary, to divide theology into various subdisciplines (moral, systematic, historical, and so on), that ultimately theology is one unified science of God in light of the principles of revelation.

           President Mark Middendorf welcomed new members of the Program to the University and welcomed old members back. He spoke about the incredible impact he had seen in his own life from the adoption of the practice of daily adoration, and discussed an initiative he started this year in order to encourage more member of the University to take up the practice—especially those charged with theological teaching and study

           The retreat concluded that evening with the liturgy of the hours followed by a reception for Program member and their families at Dr. Dauphinais house.

2023 Undergraduate Essay Contest

THE AQUINAS CENTER OF THEOLOGICAL RENEWAL

2023 undergraduate Essay Contest

“The Holiness of God and the Mystery of the Eucharist”

Recent years have witnessed a loss of the sense of God’s holiness and how the faithful enter into the mystery of God’s holiness in the Eucharist. For this and related reasons, the Bishops of the United States have called for a national Eucharistic revival. In support of that call for holiness and Eucharistic revival, Ave Maria University’s Department of Theology invites theological essays (~ 1000 words) on the following topic: The Holiness of God and the Mystery of the Eucharist.

Prizes

First Place Award: $500

Honorable Mention: $100

Judging

Essays will be judged on style, content, argumentative coherence, organization, and theological soundness by designated faculty from the Aquinas Center at Ave Maria University.  

Rules

Essays must be original compositions of 1000-words relating to the above topic. Essays should include a cover page with title, author’s full name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and the name and mailing address of the college or university at which the author is enrolled.  One entry per student.  Entries must be received by November 1, 2022 and emailed to:  graduatetheology@avemaria.edu.

Additional information

• Awardees may submit extended versions of their essays for consideration for presentation at the Conference “The Holiness of God and the Mystery of the Eucharist,” February 2-4, 2023.
• The essay contest is open to undergraduate university students enrolled during the 2022-23 year. 
• The Aquinas Center reserves the right to award only one or none of the     submitted essays.
• Plagiarism will result in disqualification.
• No submission fee.

This past Friday (August 26^th) Ave Maria University was pleased to welcome Louis Brown, Jr. to give the annual convocation address, entitled Religious Freedom: The Healing Freedom to Love, formally opening the 2022-2023 academic year. Mr. Brown serves as the Executive Director of the Christ Medicus Foundation, a Catholic health care nonprofit whose mission is to share the healing love of Christ in health care by defending medical conscience rights and religious freedom, helping to expand access to Christ-centered medical care, and providing a Catholic health care community that cares for the medical needs and whole health of individuals and families. 

           Mr. Brown spoke on the importance of the on-going battle for the freedom of religion in modern America. He began his talk by telling the story of his own reversion to Catholicism. Mr. Brown grew up without a father, his having died in a tragic automobile accident when he was a small child. Though raised Catholic, throughout his college and law school career, Mr. Brown fell away from the practice of the faith and in his own words lived his life as a “pagan.” His reversion ultimately came about as a result of his own realization that he had never fully dealt with the loss of his father. Though his father died before he was old enough to form lasting memories of him, nonetheless Mr. Brown found that he felt deeply his absence and that this absence had had an impact on his life. Over the next few years, Mr. Brown began coming to terms with this absence. Along the way, he rediscovered his faith and found healing in the knowledge that God had adopted him as His own son, and that, in an ultimate sense, we will be safe and secure so long as we persevere in our relationship with him.

           Mr. Brown exhorted the audience to be mindful of the truth that our value is not found in the pursuit of earthly, material goods, but rather in the fact that God has given you this life as pure gift for the purpose of one day returning to him. He further called upon the members of the University to encounter Christ by frequenting the sacraments, going to adoration, and surrounding themselves with faithful friends.

           This message is especially important in the context of the modern culture of a death: a culture which simultaneously denies that God exists; asserts that if God does exist, He doesn’t love you and you shouldn’t trust him; and, finally, that you can be God. This culture has become increasingly hostile to religious freedoms, especially in the wake of the Dobbs vs. Jackson case. Since then, healthcare institutions have especially felt the attacks on religious freedom, with various regulatory attempts to restrict their freedom to act in accord with their faith and proclaim that faith to others.

           Mr. Brown concluded by reiterating the importance of our knowledge that the Gospel is true; that God loves us and is trustworthy, and that all that matters is having a relationship with him. He called on the members of the University to go out and bring others to Christ, and emphasized the importance of defending religious freedom in order to do this.

On August 8th, Dr. John Boyle presented on his book The Order and Division of Divine Truth: St. Thomas Aquinas as Scholastic Master of the Sacred Page to faculty and students on campus for the summer. Dr. Boyle is Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Dr. Boyle is a Senior Fellow of the Center for Thomas More Studies at the University of Dallas, an Associate Editor of Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture, a member of the editorial board of the Thomas Aquinas in Translation series for the Catholic University of America Press, a member of the editorial board for the Theology and Law Series of the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies Publications.