DESCRIPTION: A survey of the teachings of the early church as those teachings were shaped by crisis and conflict within the church and by dialogue and competition with late ancient culture. The period addressed covers through Augustine in the West and the Council of Chalcedon in the East.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are four objectives to this course. First, that students become familiar with central theological doctrines and developments in the patristic era, particularly those that contributed to the church's early catholic identity, the formation of the ecumenical creeds, and the Augustinian character of the Western church. Second, that students gain an understanding of the theological controversies of the early church from diverse points of view, including the perspectives of the original participants and those of historians today. Third, that students practice the close reading of selected primary sources in order to analyze and faithfully articulate the theological arguments of a historical text. Fourth, that students reflect on the perennial nature of the doctrinal controversies that shaped Christian identity in this period as these doctrines and practices have engendered contemporary Christian diversity and ecumenical conversation.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: By introducing a significant body of theological and historical data, the course seeks to lead students to a broader perspective on their own ecclesiastical traditions, beliefs, and practices, as well as to a sympathetic appreciation for the unity and diversity of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church of which they are a part. Intensive work in primary sources will help students to acquire an improved facility in the analysis of theological arguments and an increased ability to articulate the meaning of the Christian faith in its historical development--skills that will also benefit the student's reading, understanding, and exposition of Scripture itself.

COURSE FORMAT: Meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions of lecture and discussion. Readings to be completed before class.

REQUIRED READING:

Hall, Stuart G. Doctrine and Practice in the Early Church. Eerdmans, 1991. NOTE: In consultation with instructor, students may substitute González, Kelly, Pelikan, Placher, or Seeberg (below) in place of Hall.

Hardy, Edward R., ed. Christology of the Later Fathers. Westminster, 1954.

Norris, Richard A., ed. The Christological Controversy. Fortress, 1980.

Pine-Coffin, R. S. tr. Saint Augustine: Confessions. Penguin, 1961.

Richardson, Cyril C. ed. Early Christian Fathers. Macmillan, 1970.

Syllabus and assembled primary readings.

Cross, F. L. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 3rd ed. Oxford, 1997.

Di Berardino, Angelo. Encyclopedia of the Early Church. 2 vols. Oxford, 1992.

González, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought. Vols. 1-2. 2nd ed. Abingdon, 1986.

Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Doctrines. 3rd ed. Harper & Row, 1978.

Muller, Richard A. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms. Baker, 1985.

Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition, Vol. 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600). University of Chicago Press, 1971.

Placher, William C. A History of Christian Theology. Westminster, 1983.

Seeberg, Reinhold. The History of Doctrines. Baker, 1979.