REL 4101/6101: History of Christian Theology (Ancient-Medieval)

Dr. William L. Power

207 Peabody Hall

Office Hours: By Appointment

Office Phone: 706-542-1490 Home Phone: 706-354-1860

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The development of Christian Theology from the first through the fourteenth century as expressed in the writings and practices of the Christian community and its leading thinkers.

TEXTS: A History of Christian Theology

REQUIREMENTS: Read text according to sequence as indicated on course outline; class discussion and participation; two exams - mid-term and final - over text and lectures; regular and prompt attendance is expected; grade will be affected after three absences.

COURSE OUTLINE:

INTRODUCTION

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY IN THE PATRISTIC PERIOD, G.W.H. Lampe

I. The Apostolic Fathers and the Second Century Movements

II. The Greek Apologists

III. Melito and Irenaeus

IV. Early Latin Theology: Tertullian and Novatian

V. The Alexandrian Theologians of the Third Century

VI. Eastern Theology from Origen to the Council of Nicaea

VII. The Development of Trinitarian Theology after the Council of Nicaea

VIII. The Christological Controversies

IX. Salvation, Sin and Grace

X. The Church and the Sacraments

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY IN THE EAST 600-1453, Kallistos Ware

I. The General Character of Byzantine Theology

II. The Seventh Century. The Monotheletes; St. Maximus

the Confessor

III. The Iconoclast Controversy

IV. Constantinople and Rome (858-1439)

V. Mystical Theology: St. Symeon the New Theologian

and the Hesychasts

THE MIDDLE AGES 604-1350, David Knowles

Introductory

I. From Gregory the Great to Charlemagne. Rome and Constantinople

1. The Monthelete Controversy

2. The Iconoclast Controversy

3. The Spanish Adoptionists

4. The Filioque Controversy

5. The Development of the Discipline of Penance

6. Indulgences

II. From Charlemagne to the Eleventh Century

1. The First Eucharist Debate

2. Predestination

3. The Breach between East and West

III. The Age of Revival and Reform 1000-1150

1. The Second Eucharist Controversy

2. Anselm of Bec and Canterbury

3. Abelard

4. The Problem of Reordination

5. The Influence of Bernard

6. The Virgin Mary

IV. The First Century of Scholastic Theology c. 1050- c. 1200

1. Theological Education 600-1160

2. Canon Law and the Sacraments

3. Heresy

V. The Golden Age of Scholasticism

1. Theological Education 1160-1300

2. Philosophy and Theology

3. Bonaventure and Albert the Great

4. Thomas Aquinas

VI. The Later Scholastics:

The Breakdown of the Thomist Synthesis

1. The Condemnations of 1270 and 1277. Duns Scotus

2. The Rhineland Neoplatonists

3. William of Ockham c. 1300- c. 1349

4. Scholasticism in Retrospect

CONCLUSION