CH005-812

Early Church History

Credit Points 12 Credit Points (CPs)

Learning Outcomes

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of the early history of Christianity.

B. Be able to

  1. Analyse the major phases and developments in the early history of Christianity from 30AD-451AD in their political and social contexts
  2. Examine the contribution of selected people to the development of Christianity from 30AD-451AD
  3. Critically engage with selected data from primary and secondary sources to formulate Critical historical viewpoints on the period from 30AD-451AD
  4. Evaluate Critical evidence-based perspectives on the history of Christianity from 30AD-451AD

C. Be in a position to

  1. Apply knowledge, Critical thinking skills and perspectives from the The Emergence of Christianity (30AD-451AD) to inform ministry practice as a reflective practitioner.

Content

  1. The First Christians and their Churches.
  2. The Apostolic Fathers and Apologists in their cultural and intellectual world.
  3. Key Early Theological Issues and Figures: 2nd & 3rd Centuries.
  4. Church and Empire to Constantine and the persecution of Christians.
  5. The Interaction of Church and Society after Constantine.
  6. The Trinitarian and Christological Controversies in their social and political context.
  7. Augustine, his context and his theology.
  8. The Bible in early Christianity: canon, exegesis, and preaching.
  9. The Christian life in early Christianity and selected ethical issues.
  10. Composition of and contributors to early Christianity: women, Roman class groupings and the churches, urban and rural churches.
  11. The development of ascetic and monastic movements, the cult of saints and the Virgin Mary, and the Papacy to Gregory "the Great".