Summer 2013/Pasadena

CH501

Scalise

CH501: PATRISTIC THEOLOGY. Charles J. Scalise.

DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the history of Christian thought from the close of the New Testament era through the christological controversies of the East. Particular attention will be given to the history of the development of Christian doctrine. The course will offer opportunities for students to study any of the various ways in which early Christians thought about their Christianity

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course seeks to help students connect historical research and theological formulation in the service of a thoughtful lifelong articulation of the faith in their ministries

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Students will become familiar with the thought of some significant persons in both the East and the West who shaped the Christian tradition of the early church (cognitive) – assessed by historical figure reading list, research paper, and final exam; (2) students will survey some major themes in the development of Christian doctrine from the second through the sixth centuries (cognitive)—assessed by final exam; (3) students will become acquainted with a variety of historical movements that impacted the social and intellectual contexts in which Christian theology has been articulated (cognitive/instrumental)—assessed by historical figure presentations and final exam; (4) students will appropriate some of the spiritual insights and resources from the history of the church for their own Christian growth and ministry (affective)—assessed by student devotional presentations; (5) students will explore in detail the life and thought of one historical figure from the early church period and present some aspect(s) of their study to the class (instrumental) – assessed by paper proposal, research paper, and class presentation; and (6) students will develop the capacity to connect historical research and theological formulation through an intensive acquaintance with the thought of one person, the development of one doctrine, and the significance of one movement within early Christianity (cognitive)—assessed by research bibliographies and final exam.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for nine days, for four-hour sessions of lectures, class discussions, historical document workshops, small group consultations, and student presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Augustine of Hippo. The Augustine Catechism: The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love. Trans Bruce Harbert. New City Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-1565482982, Pub. Price $14.95 [144 pp.].

González, Justo. A History of Christian Thought: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon. Vol. 1. Rev. ed. Abingdon, 1987. ISBN: 978-0687171828, Pub. Price $33.00 [402 pp.].

Placher, William. Readings in the History of Christian Theology. Vol. 1. Westminster John Knox, 1988. ISBN: 978-0664240578, Pub. Price $25.00 (pages 9-121 assigned].

Historical figure reading from primary and secondary sources for student presentations.

Readings on selected doctrine and historical movement for research paper and final exam.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Optional extra credit reading:

Chadwick, H. Early Christian Thought & the Classical Tradition. Oxford University Press, 1984. ISBN-13: 978-0198266730, Pub. Price $50.00 [182 pp.].

Wilken, R. The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God. Yale Univ. Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0300105988, Pub. Price $22.00 [398 pp.].

For extra credit question on exam:

Clark, G. Women in Late Antiquity: Pagan & Christian Lifestyles. Oxford University Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-0198721666, Pub. Price $60.00 [188 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Class presentation on historical figure (25%).

  2. Take-home final examination (due July 5; half on prepared research; half on lectures and common reading; 25%).

  3. Research paper (due July 19; 25%).

  4. Attendance and class participation (includes devotional leadership; 10%).

  5. Research bibliographies on doctrine and movement (due June 26; evaluated credit/no credit; 10%).

  6. Bibliography for class presentation (due June 25; evaluated credit/no credit; 5%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in “Church History A” (CHA).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.