Updated on April 10, 2026.
Introduction to theology as the final destination for traditional Catholic liberal studies
University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas
Instructor of Record
Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026
Core Materials
- GitHub Folder
- Students and colleagues are welcome to make pull requests for all course materials in GitHub, including syllabi.
- Syllabi:
- Class Survey & Contract (outdated — now hosted in Blackboard)
Dr. Stephan’s Lectures
Odysee Video Lecture Playlist (Full)
- Students may elect to download the Odysee desktop or mobile application from lbry.com and/or to subscribe to my channel.
Getting Started
Doing the class:
- What is this Faith, Reason, and Revelation class?
- Faith, Reason, & Revelation: Syllabus and Class Bones (Fall 2025, Online)
- (online and asynchronous) How do I do this online and asynchronous Faith, Reason, and Revelation class?
Assignments:
- (online and asynchronous) What are Dr. Stephan’s class study groups?
- What are Dr. Stephan’s one-on-one meetings / oral exams?
- Partner/Trio Formal Debates
- Cumulative Essay Assignment: Faith, Reason, & Revelation in Mark’s Gospel
- How can a new undergraduate student write a successful theological essay? Deep Essay Writing Guide
Unit 1: What are faith and reason?
1. Introductions
Doing theology:
- What is Catholic theology? 30 Minute Guide
- How to Read and Think like a Theologian
- The Best Free Computer Resources for Catholic Theology
Using reference materials:
- How do I use the Catholic Study Bible?
- How do I use the Catechism of the Catholic Church? 5 Minute Guide
- Oxford Reference Website: Theology & History Usage Guide
2. What is faith?
- Faith and Reason: Friends or Foes?
- MLK’s “I have a dream” Speech (historical audio recording, public domain)
3. What is reason?
Unit 2: Apparent Clashes of Faith and Reason
1. Genesis and Creation
- Genesis and Creation: Genre Matters
- Creation(ism) and Evolution(ism): Five Minute Breakdown
- Genesis 1-3 Theological Dive: Why did God create us? What does it mean that we are fallen?
2. Sin
- What is original sin? CCC 385-390 & 396-421 Deep Dive
- Am I a sinner? What is sin? St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I-II, Q. 71, A. 6
3. The Problem of Evil
Unit 3: Revelation
Ecclesiastes/Qoheleth
- Ecclesiastes/Qoheleth: Reading Guide and Introduction
- Ecclesiastes/Qoheleth: Close Reading, Part 1 (1:1-11 and 1:12-6:9)
- Ecclesiastes/Qoheleth: Close Reading, Part 2 (6:10-12:14)
Jesus and Gospels
- Who did Jesus claim to be? An Introduction to Jesus’s Profession(s) about Himself in the Gospels
- Who are the Fathers of the Church?
- What are the Gospels? 1 Hour Introductory Guide