Fall 2010/Pasadena
CH500
Feldmeth
CH500: EARLY CHURCH HISTORY. Nathan P. Feldmeth.
DESCRIPTION: This survey course will chart the early history of Christianity
from about 100 to 590 CE. The focus will be upon key personalities and major
movements in the development of Christian doctrine in this turbulent and
formative period. The class will meet for lecture and discussion, and
regular attendance is required.
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 meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Time in
class will center on lecture and student interaction.
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.
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.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- 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 University Press, 1997. ISBN: 0192802909. Pub.price:
$150.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The course grade is determined by student work
consisting of a 12-15 page research paper (35%); a midterm examination (20%);
and the final examination (45%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History "a"
(CHA).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2010)