Fall 2011/Pasadena
CH500
Núñez

CH500: HISTORIA DE LA IGLESIA PRIMITIVA [Early Church History]. Emilio A. Núñez.


DESCRIPTION: This course is an overview of the history of Christianity from its origins to the sixth century, with a global perspective. Emphasis will be placed on the emergence and development of the Christian testimony, giving attention to major events, movements, influential personalities and theological trends.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course introduces students to historical and theological materials so they can develop a broader perspective for their own Christian faith, including a greater understanding and appreciation of the student's own confessional tradition within the larger scope of the development of the Christian church during the first five centuries.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who pass this course will (1) demonstrate the ability to identify the principal events of Christian history from the post-apostolic fathers through the sixth century; (2) demonstrate familiarity with the leading figures and movements of the period and their influence; (3) demonstrate an understanding of the development of the major theological debates of the period and their implications for Christian theology today; (4) demonstrate an ability to read church history critically, comprehending social, political, cultural, and geographic factors along with implications for the church and its mission today.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice each week in two-hour sessions. On the first day of the week the focus will be on historical overview (major events, movements, outstanding characters); and the second day on theological issues (theological trends). Classes will include lectures, student presentations, group discussions, and video presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Driver, Juan. La fe en la periferia de la historia. SEMILLA, 1997. 325 pp. Students will read 90 pp. ISBN: 848938908x. $16.00.

González, Justo. Historia del pensamiento cristiano. Betania, 2001. 491 pp. Students will read 250 pp. ISBN: 0899221785 (vol. 1) (price not available).

Walker, Williston. Historia de la iglesia cristiana. Casa Nazarena de Publicaciones, n.d. Students will read 194 pp. ISBN: 156-344-1411. $25.99.

Primary source documents accessed at the David Allan Hubbard Library, Fuller Seminary.

RECOMMENDED READING:
See course syllabus for recommended texts.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
  1. Assigned readings of approx. 850 pp. and seven quizzes on the reading (20%).

  2. Five reflection papers (1-2 pages each) on primary sources (25%).

  3. One paper with formal notes and bibliography (5-8 pages) on a topic addressed in class (30%).

  4. Final examination (25%).

PREREQUISITES: Spanish.

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 2011)