DESCRIPTION: A survey of the teachings of the early church as those teachings were shaped by crisis and conflict within the church and by dialogue and competition with late ancient culture. The period addressed covers through Augustine in the West and the Council of Chalcedon in the East.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: First, students who pass this course will be able to demonstrate familiarity with central theological doctrines and developments in the patristic era, particularly those that contributed to the church's early catholic identity, the formation of the ecumenical creeds, and the Augustinian character of the Western church (attained through readings and participation in lectures and small groups). Second, students will be able to demonstrate an ability to analyze and articulate the theological arguments of historical texts (attained through directed essays on selected primary sources and group discussions). Third, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to reflect theologically on the significance of early Christian identity, doctrine, and practice for contemporary Christian diversity and pastoral ministry (attained through reflection and discussion in class and small groups).

COURSE FORMAT: Meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions of lecture and discussion, with small group sessions in weeks 3, 6, and 9. Readings to be completed before class.

REQUIRED READING:

Hall, Stuart G. Doctrine and Practice in the Early Church. Second edition. Cascade Books 2011 (ISBN 1610970519 $30.00), ~250 pp. assigned. In consultation with instructor, students may substitute González, Kelly, Pelikan, Placher, Seeberg or Young (below) in place of Hall.

Hardy, Edward R., ed. Christology of the Later Fathers. Westminster John Knox 1977 (ISBN 0664241522 $40.00), 126 pp. assigned.

Norris, Richard A., ed. The Christological Controversy. Fortress 1980 (ISBN 0800614119 $20.00), 142 pp. assigned.

Pine-Coffin, R. S., trans. Saint Augustine: Confessions. Penguin 1961 (ISBN 014044114X $10.00), 232 pp. assigned. Use this edition if at all possible!

Richardson, Cyril C., ed. Early Christian Fathers. Touchstone/Simon & Schuster 1995 (ISBN 0684829517 $16.00) or Westminster John Knox 2006 (ISBN 9780664227470 $40.00), 164 pp. assigned.

Syllabus and excerpts from primary sources, available online via Moodle.

Cross, F. L. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 3rd ed. Oxford, 1997.

Di Berardino, Angelo. Encyclopedia of the Early Church. 2 vols. Oxford, 1992.

González, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought. Vols. 1-2. 2nd ed. Abingdon, 1986.

Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Doctrines. 3rd ed. Harper & Row, 1978.

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

Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition, Vol. 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600). University of Chicago Press, 1971.

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

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

Young, Frances M. From Nicaea to Chalcedon. 2nd edition. Baker Academic, 2010.