A word from the student.

Being a mere "guest" to what is predominantly Melissa's blog, I will make every attempt to be concise and not infringe on my wife's creative genius, and just report (for our family's sake) the more erudite aspects of our main purpose for living in Austria during this time of our lives.  As a preface to the beginning of my graduate studies at the ITI, I found a book at the ITI library a few days ago which seemed quite apropos: The Nature and Mission of Theology by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI).  Given that my purpose at the ITI is to begin my formation toward becoming a professional theologian/philosopher, what better way than to be given a few pointers by one of the Church's greatest!  Being only half-way through the book, I am yet again struck by the immense intellectualism of this holy man, who has a way of elucidating some of the most profound questions about man in relation to our Creator, and of our pursuit of truth which can only exist in God.  Pointing out just some of the highlights of the first part of Ratzinger's thesis, he sets out by reminding us of the fundamental object which must be present in the pursuit of theology; that of philosophy, and how without a proper philosophical approach to theology, faith cannot truly seek understanding.  He then turns to the idea of the "academic", and what characteristics must be employed by the theologian/philosopher before such truth can be sought out.  Such person must first LISTEN to the thoughts of others; not in such a way which only presents a passive mode of reception, but an active state of comprehension with a goal of both interlocutors achieving reciprocal comprehension of each others ideas.  Secondly, the theologian/philosopher must have FREEDOM; not a kind of freedom which allows hypothesizing without rules and limits, but a freedom which seeks to attain truth for its own sake.  For if one does not follow suit in such a way, they fall prey to not necessarily finding the truth in the matter, but finding a false truth which they merely wish to impose over and against objective truth.  And so, thus begins my journey for the sake of truth.

Tomorrow is "Studientag", or orientation/convocation for the new academic year.  Classes then begin on Tuesday, of which I am very much looking forward to.  And in case you are interested, here is my line-up of courses for the Winter (Fall) 2013 semester here:

     STM 411 - Scripture, Its Exegesis and Interpretation
     STM 412 - Fundamental Theology
     STM 413 - The One God I: Existence and Attributes
     STM 414 - Moral Theology II: Human Acts and Final End
     STM 415 - Mystery of the Triune God I
     GRK 211 - Introduction to Greek I
     GER 111 - German A1 (intensive)

If this looks like a lot, IT IS!  Therefore, please pray for me, my family, and all the students, faculty and staff here.