Study

Early Church History (the Apostles to Justinian)

Study the origins and growth of Christianity from a small sect within first-century Judaism that professed the Galilean Jesus as Christ, Lord, and Son of God, to an imperial religion of the fourth century that wielded political and economic power, and which possessed sophisticated doctrines that proclaimed a universal salvation. Discover the unifying elements of faith and worship, the lives and writings of the church fathers, and the ecumenical councils as well as the threats (both internal and external) that challenged the health and growth of the faith through the sixth century.

This twelve-week course will again be offered in the fall of 2012

Course Schedule:
Week One
• Judaism & the Origins of Christianity
• The Primitive Church
  o Jewish and Hellenized followers of the Christ in Jerusalem
  o Apostolic Missions (the recorded travels of the Apostles)
  o Councils (the Apostolic Constitutions)
  o The Christian Synagogue and the Break with Judaism

Week Two
• The Church in the Roman World
• Persecution and Martyrdom
  o Ignatius of Antioch & Polycarp
• The Liturgy

Week Three
• Gnosticism
• Emergent Orthodoxy (the Apologists)
• Threats to Unity
• Persecutions (Justin Martyr)
• Clement of Alexandria

Week Four
• The Church, State, & Society in the Third Century
• Persecutions, & Martyrdom under Diocletian
• Latin & Greek Christianity
• Jerome, Ambrose, Augustine, & the Cappadocians

Week Five
• Constantine & New Rome
• Church and State: Their Organization and Functions

Week Six
• The Trinitarian & Christological Controversies
• Ecumenical Councils

Week Seven
• Ecumenical Councils Continued

Week Eight
• The Christian Rites of Initiation

Week Nine
• Liturgy and Time
• Haigography & Relics

Week Ten
• The Ascetic Movement
  o Athanasius, the Life of Anthony
  o The Rules of Basil

Week Eleven
• Justinian & Byzantine Achievement
• Art & Architecture
  o Iconography
  o The Monastery of St. Katherine & Hagia Sophia

Week Twelve
• Review
• Answer & Questions

In addition to supplemental readings, the primary text, by Justo L Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity (Volume 1), is available in our bookstore!