DESCRIPTION:

This CATS graduate seminar, open to three masters level students, is a literary, historical, and theological study of the corpus of early Christian literature known as the Apostolic Fathers. The texts included will be 1 Clement, 2 Clement, the Letters of Ignatius, the Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians, the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the Didache, Barnabas, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle to Diognetus, and the fragments of Papias. Special attention will be given to the following topics: christology; Church-Judaism relationships; authority and heresy; church order and worship; and Church-state relationships.

This seminar contributes to the academic preparation of persons called to the ministry of teaching in the fields of New Testament and early Church history. Knowledge of the Apostolic Fathers also contributes to one's understanding of the theological and spiritual heritage of the church.

This is a working graduate seminar. There will be lectures, student research reports, and considerable discussion among the seminar members. The seminar meets weekly, Wednesdays, 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Goodspeed, E. J. Index Patristicus. . . . Peabody: Hendrickson, 1993 [reprint of the 1907 edition].

Holmes, M. W. The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations of Their Writings. 2d. ed. Trans. J. B. Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992 [based on an 1891 edition].

Jefford, C. N. Reading the Apostolic Fathers: An Introduction. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996.

Tugwell, S. The Apostolic Fathers. (Outstanding Christian Thinkers.) Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse, 1990 [original British publication, 1989].

There will be extensive bibliographies provided for further reading in the scholarly literature on the Apostolic Fathers.

1. In accordance with a graduate seminar, numerous reading and research assignments negotiated at each meeting of the seminar.

2. At least one oral and written report on assigned research.

3. Reading of the required text books.

4. Preparation of a major research paper (about 30 pages) on an approved topic.

For master's level students: LG512; three of the following five: NS500, NS501, NE502, any NTT, any NTE; and permission of the instructor.

Elective.

No.