Summer 2009/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 20-31
CH501
Muller

CH501: PATRISTIC THEOLOGY. Richard A. Muller.


DESCRIPTION: A survey of theological issues and developments from the second century A.D. as far as Ambrose and Augustine in the West and John of Damascus in the East.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are four objectives to this course. First, that students become familiar with the central theological doctrines and developments in the Early Church, particularly those that led to the rise of the great ecumenical doctrinal formulae of Nicea-Constantinople and Chalcedon. Second, that students gain an understanding of the theological controversies of the era, 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 debates that shaped Christian identity in this period as these doctrines and practices remain the foundation of Christian identity and ecumenical conversation in the present day.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course is designed to enable students to understand more fully their own identity as Christians and as members of the Christian church by providing them with a view of the relationship of the historical course of Christianity to the present-day existence and belief-structure of the church by giving them the tools to move toward a theologically spiritually responsible ministry in light of the church's historic witness.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for two weeks for four-hour sessions of lecture/discussion. Assigned reading is to be completed as preparation for classwork.

REQUIRED READING:

Burns, J. Theological Anthropology. Fortress, 1981.

Froelich, K. Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church. Fortress, 1984.

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

Muller, Richard A. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms. Baker, 1986.

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

Rusch, W. The Trinitarian Controversy. Fortress, 1980.

RECOMMENDED READING:
González, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought. 3 Vols. 2nd ed. Abingdon, 1986.

Seeberg, Reinhold. History of Christian Doctrines. 2 Vols. Baker, 1979 (often reprinted).

ASSIGNMENTS: Completion of assigned reading; four written analyses of assigned documents; final examination. All assignments are due September 11, 2009 (a student may turn in one assignment by Friday of the first week of the course for evaluation).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History "a" (CHA).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (4/09)