DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide (1) an acquaintance with some of the more important persons, (2) an overview of some of the more significant movements in the history of the early church, and (3) an introduction to the debates that contributed to the development of selected Christian doctrines. Beginning with the New Testament and selected documents from the late first century and early second century, students will experience the competing claims to "orthodoxy" made by a variety of early Christian thinkers and leaders. Students will be introduced to a number of the leading apologists, theological thinkers, monastics, and church leaders of the West (Rome and North Africa) and the East (Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Constantinople) during the first eight centuries of the church.

This course is designed so that the student might foster a love for the historic church. The student will be encouraged to develop an appreciation for the faithfulness of those who helped to found the church and formulate Christian tradition. The student will be challenged to appreciate the diversity within the one church. This class will help the student recognize the role that historical context and milieu play in the doing of ministry. We will think critically about the historic church and then turn that critical lens upon ourselves.

The class will meet weekly for three and a half hour sessions. Lecture format with a substantial emphasis upon class discussion to be informed by required readings. Exam and research paper due at the end of the quarter.

Bettenson, Henry, ed. Documents of the Christian Church. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 1999 (paperback).

Frend, W. H. C. The Rise of Christianity. Fortress Press, 1986 (paperback).

Stark, Rodney. The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries. HarperCollins, 1997 (paperback).

Meredith, Anthony. The Cappadocians. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1995.

Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine. Vols. 1-3. The University of Chicago Press.

Rausch, William C. The Trinitarian Controversy. Fortress Press, 1980.

Seeberg, Reinhold. Text-Book of the History of Doctrines. Trans. Charles E. Hay. 2 vols. Baker Book House, 1954.

Students will be assigned reading assignments from the required texts; these will be due for each class meeting. One type-written reading-response analytical essay. One fifteen-page type-written research paper. One examination. Mandatory class attendance.

None.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Church History "A" (CHA).

Yes.