DESCRIPTION: Early Church History is a survey of the dynamic period in the life of the Church from 100 to 590 AD. It covers how the Church wrestled with doctrinal and philosophical issues, which are of ongoing significance and importance. It introduces the key personalities and the major events that helped shape the Church. It establishes these developments, people, and events as the spiritual heritage of all Christians.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Christianity is a uniquely historical faith rooted and grounded in the past. To minister effectively in any age requires a thorough knowledge of the past. This course will provide the student with a historical context for ministry, and will be especially helpful for teaching and preaching.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course, will have (1) a basic grasp of how the Church developed in the first five centuries; (2) a working knowledge of the people, doctrinal issues and the historical context of the early Church period; (3) practical insights in applying the lessons and events of the early Church history in preaching, teaching, and resolving current doctrinal disputes; (4) a foundation for continuing study of Church history; (5) skills in researching the original sources; (6) a deeper appreciation of the breadth, unity, and diversity of the Church.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will be conducted on the Internet using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material and each other through threaded discussions and other assignments. Lectures for each lesson will be available online.

REQUIRED READING:

Bettenson, Henry, ed. Documents of the Christian Church. Oxford University Press, 1970. ISBN: 0192880713. Pub.price: $29.95.

Clark, Elizabeth A. Women in the Early Church. The Liturgical Press, 1983. ISBN: 9780814653326. Pub.price: $24.95.

Feldmeth, Nathan P. Pocket Dictionary of Church History. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008. ISBN: 9780830827039. Pub.price: $8.00.

Froehlich, Karlfried, ed. and trans. Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church. Fortress, 1984. ISBN:9780800614140. Pub.price: $20.00.

Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of Christianity. Vol. 1. Rev. ed. Harper & Row, 1975. ISBN: 9780060649524. Pub.price: $25.99.

Rusch, William C. The Trinitarian Controversy. Fortress, 1980. ISBN: 9780800614102. Pub.price: $20.

Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Doctrines. 3rd ed. Harper & Row, 2000. ISBN: 0826452523. Pub.price: $39.80.

Livingstone, E. A., ed. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. ISBN: 0192802909. Pub.price: $150.

1. Weekly threaded discussions (15%)

2. Midterm exam (15%)

3. Three 5-page research papers (30%)

4. Final exam (40%)