DESCRIPTION: A survey of the diversity of medieval theology as it developed from an essentially Augustinian source in its encounter with new conflicts and cultural factors and as it eventually promoted and provoked the Protestant Reformation. The period addressed covers through the Council of Trent and the death of Calvin.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are four objectives to this course. First, that students become familiar with the central theological doctrines and developments in the church of the Middle Ages and Reformation, particularly those that led to the Reformation and have formed and expressed Protestant identity. Second, that students gain an understanding of the theological controversies of the Middle Ages and Reformation 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: Class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions for lectures, with occasional discussion sessions devoted to student papers as assigned (below).

REQUIRED READING:

Fairweather, Eugene R., ed. A Scholastic Miscellany. Westminster, 1956. (181 pp. assigned)

Hägglund, Bengt. History of Theology. Concordia, 1968, 2007. Third or fourth edition may be used. (140 pp. assigned) In consultation with the instructor, students may substitute for Hägglund one of the recommended textbooks listed below.

Hillerbrand, Hans J., ed. The Protestant Reformation. Harper & Row, 1968. (207 pp. assigned)

Syllabus and assembled readings, 370 pp. Total course reading is approximately 900 pages.

Cross, F. L. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Oxford, 1996.

Douglas, J. D. The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Zondervan, 1978.

González, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought. Vols. 2-3. Abingdon, 1987.

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

Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition. Vols. 3-4. University of Chicago Press, 1978, 1984.

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

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

1. Assigned readings, to be completed as preparation for lectures.

2. Three 5-page papers on primary source readings, 60% of grade.

3. Final examination, 40% of grade.