Theology
The Theology Department lies at the heart of Loyola Academy’s Jesuit, Catholic mission.
Through the study of Scripture, Church tradition, ethics, and spirituality, students are invited to deepen their relationship with God, explore life’s most meaningful questions, and grow in faith through reflection, dialogue, and service. Grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition, theology courses challenge students to engage both faith and reason as they discern their values, responsibilities, and purpose in the world.
As students progress through the curriculum, they encounter the rich traditions of the Church while developing the spiritual and moral foundation needed to lead lives of compassion, integrity, and justice. Guided by the Jesuit ideal of being women and men for others, students are encouraged to recognize God's presence in all things and respond to the needs of their communities with faith in action.
In Theology, students do more than study faith—they learn to live it.
 | Faith with Purpose |
| Theology at Loyola invites students to grow in relationship with God and discover how faith calls them to serve others and transform the world. | |
Featured Courses
The courses below represent just a sample of the opportunities available within this department, offering students pathways to explore their interests, develop their talents, and deepen their understanding of the subject.
For a complete listing of courses and descriptions, please view the Curriculum Guide
| Christian Life in Community |
In this course, students will be invited to experience how God calls them into relationship as part of the Beloved Community. Students will be invited to engage with God’s dream for the world through an integration of prayer, Ignatian imagination, and action. They will explore the Catholic Tradition and the vision of the Kingdom of God as revealed in Scripture. This course introduces the Beloved Community, developed through the Church, and humanity’s call to work toward a hope-filled future. Students will leave this course empowered to love as God loves. |
| Justice Seminar (ISL) |
Rooted in the spirit of Pedro Arrupe, SJ’s vision to cultivate persons for and with others, in this course, students who desire extensive experience in social service, advocacy, and the work for social justice will directly encounter vulnerable communities, confront and reflect on the limitations of their own worldview as they study structural and systemic justice issues. Theological reflection, Christian spiritualities, and insights from the social sciences are utilized to encourage mutuality with a community partner. This course provides a context for personal discernment and the promotion of a faith that lives justice that will be demonstrated through a capstone project. As an Ignatian Service Learning course, students will complete seven service site visits each semester outside of school hours. |
| The Challenge of Being Human |
| In this course, students will explore ultimate questions and a diversity of responses to them. What is the meaning of life? Why do we suffer? How ought I live? Philosophy and theology offer diverse perspectives on these ‘big questions.’ Through reflection on personal experience, class discussions, readings, and a capstone project, students will explore what it means to be human and how we ought to live together. Although these questions are enduring, students will be encouraged to develop an authentic path to a “hope-filled future.” |
View All Course Offerings & Descriptions
Meet the Department
