Free Self-Paced Online Course

The Church today faces significant challenges: an increasingly secularized society, disruptive culture, scandals, and a growing polarization caused by lack of clarity about what the Church teaches.

In this short online course, Dr. Ralph Martin, director of programs in the New Evangelization, offers a detailed look at the growing hostility to the Catholic Church and the dilution of its teaching. This course seeks to uncover the forces working to undermine the Body of Christ and offers hope to those looking for clarity and seeking truth in our modern world. The curriculum is based on Dr. Martin’s book A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward.

How is this course structured?

This FREE non-credit course is being offered online using the seminary's learning management system, Canvas. Upon signing up for the course, students will receive a username and password for accessing the online class.

The class will be conducted online giving students the freedom to engage with the material and complete course tasks around their own schedule. The class will consist of six modules which can be completed according to the individual's own pace.

Each module will be hosted by Dr. Ralph Martin, Professor of Theology and Director of Graduate Programs in the New Evangelization.

Each module will include:

- Lecture Video (~20 minutes)

- Lectio Divina Exercise (~10 minutes)

- Personal Assessment Quiz (~5 minutes)- Supplemental Reading Material

The goal of the course is not to deliver a high level of rigor or stress, but instead engage Catholics who want to learn more about their faith.

Consider this a Lenten study or retreat experience, done at your own pace. This is an opportunity to grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord and with others.

A Church in Crisis

Pathways Forward

How is this course structured?

What will be covered?

Dr. Ralph Martin

Professor of Theology, Director of Graduate Programs in the New Evangelization