DESCRIPTION: In many Protestant churches today, not least among Evangelicals,
the language of Christian symbols and rituals is to a large degree unknown and
forgotten. In some cases, where they are acknowledged, they are identified as
things that other churches do. Unfortunately this dismisses a significant part
of our Christian tradition and discounts invaluable resources in pastoral
ministry in our contemporary, postmodern context. This class is an introduction
to the heritage of early Christian symbols and rituals. In our course of study,
we will examine the history, theology, and interpretation of the rituals and
symbols of the first six centuries of the Christian church and their role in
the ministry of these early Christian churches.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: By introducing the language of Christian
ritual and symbol the course seeks to lead students to a broader perspective on
how the Christian faith was expressed in early and medieval church history, and
how it can be understood and expressed today. The course should provide
students with an increased ability to articulate the meaning of the Christian
faith through art, iconography, and symbols, skills that will benefit the
student's reading, understanding, and exposition of the Bible itself. Further,
it will consider the role of ritual as a resource for faith formation and
pastoral care across traditions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: A student successfully completing this course should
accomplish the following objectives. First, he/she will have a general
knowledge of early church history, in particular the symbols and rites of the
church as they express church doctrine and piety. Second, the student will
understand the early development of Christian rituals and symbols as well as
the theory behind their use. Third, the student will develop a deeper knowledge
of a particular symbolic expression or ritual practice in the first six
centuries and a familiarity with the scholarship surrounding it. Fourth, the
student will develop a sensibility for the language of Christian symbols and
rituals, and be able to express the Christian faith using this language.
Finally, the student will increase his/her critical skills in reading, writing,
and discussing through the study, conversation, and presentations on rituals
and symbols of the early churches.
COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet once a week for a three-hour session for
lectures, with discussion sessions devoted to student papers as assigned
(below). It will also require a field trip to the Getty Villa to explore
ancient art and artifacts as they inform early Christian symbols and
rituals.
REQUIRED READING: