DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide (1) an acquaintance with some of the more important persons, (2) an overview of some of the more significant Movements in the history of the Early Church, and (3) an introduction to the debates that contributed to the development of selected Christian doctrines. Beginning with the New Testament and selected documents from the late First Century and early Second Century, students will experience the competing claims to "orthodoxy" made by a variety of early Christian leaders. Students will be introduced to a number of the leading apologists, theological thinkers, monastics, and church leaders of the West (Rome and North Africa) and the East (Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Constantinople) during the first seven centuries of the Church.

This course should enable students better to understand and interpret contemporary events and discussions in light of their historical and social contexts. Students should expect to be both culturally and ecumenically sensitized.

The class will meet two hours, twice a week in a lecture/discussion format.

Bettenson, Henry, ed. Documents of the Christian Church. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. (343 pp. Sections on the period through to A.D. 600 only.)

Frend, W. H. C. The Rise of Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984. (1022 pp.)

McDonnell, Kilian. The Other Hand of God: The Holy Spirit as the Universal Touch and Goal. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2003.

Meredith, Anthony. The Cappadocians. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1995. (129 pp.)

Robeck, Cecil M. Unpublished Course Notes available from the Bookstore.

Several early Christian documents not found in Bettenson will be placed on reserve in the library.

There will be one midterm and a final examination covering the texts and lectures. These will count for 80% of the final grade. Students will be asked to read one general work, and several regional specific works. Students will be expected to write a four-page response to one contemporary document to be assigned. It will count for 20% of the grade.

None.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Church History "a" (CHA).

Yes.