CH501
J. Thompson

CH501: PATRISTIC THEOLOGY. John L. Thompson.


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.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
This course introduces the student to a significant body of theological and historical data as a means to acquiring a broader perspective on one's own faith as well as a more sympathetic appreciation for the catholic and apostolic church of which the student is a part. Moreover, through intensive work in primary source readings, the student should acquire an improved facility in the analysis of theological arguments and the ability to articulate the meaning of the Christian faith in its historical development, both of which skills will carry over into the student's reading, understanding, and exposition of Scripture itself.

COURSE FORMAT:
Four hours of lecture/discussion per week. Readings to be completed before class.

REQUIRED READING:
Hägglund, Bengt. History of Theology. Concordia, 1968. PLEASE NOTE: In consultation with instructor, students may substitute Gonález, Kelly, Pelikan, Placher, or Seeberg (below) in place of Hägglund.

Hardy, Edward R., ed. Christology of the Later Fathers. Westminster, 1954.

Norris, Richard A., ed. The Christological Controversy. Fortress, 1980.

Pine-Coffin, R. S. tr. Saint Augustine: Confessions. Penguin, 1961.

Richardson, Cyril C. ed. Early Christian Fathers. Macmillan, 1970.

Syllabus and assembled primary readings.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Cross, F. L. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2nd ed. Oxford, 1983.

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. Out of print, but often available used.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Assigned readings, to be completed as preparation for lectures.

  2. Three short papers on primary source readings.

  3. Final examination.

PREREQUISITES:
None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Meets M. Div. core requirement in Church History "a" (CHA).

FINAL EXAMINATION:
Yes.