M.Th. History of Christianity · Source syllabus

HC 4: History of Christianity during the Early Period (Up to 600)

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Area B · Historical periods · HC 4

History of Christianity during the Early Period (Up to 600)

M.Th. History of Christianity · Source syllabus with original formative learning enrichment

Course description

The main purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with the main issues in the History of Christianity till 600 A.D. to develop an ability to critically evaluate events and sources, and to relate such main issues to the issues and problems in the History in India.

Course objectives

To gain an understanding of the formative years of the Christian movement, understand the development within the 600 years within a pluralistic context similar ways in some ways to that of India. Special focus to be given to such issues as the spread of Christianity both inside and outside the Roman Empire and also to give special attention to the contributions of important Greek and Latin Christian Fathers.

Original AGBS learning enrichment

Think beyond the outline.

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Your study record

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My unit checklist

0 of 3 sections marked studied by you. This is self-reported learning progress.

Section A: Christianity during the Pre- Constantine PeriodSection B: Christianity during the Post-Constantine Period (Council of Nicea (325)Section C: Role of Women in the Early Church

Reflect

Pause and make a connection.

How does separating pre-Constantine, post-Constantine and women's-history questions alter your account of early Christianity? Explain why a later theological judgement should not automatically stand in for historical evidence.

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Create and collaborate

Construct an early-Christianity evidence gallery

Choose a source-listed event or figure and compare two kinds of historical evidence. Create an annotated timeline and a short exhibit on worship, authority or community life, including women's participation. Identify uncertainty and source classification problems for faculty review before a peer critiques your interpretation.

1. Prepare
Read the relevant source unit and record your evidence.
2. Make
Create a draft, diagram, dialogue or teaching resource.
3. Revisit
Invite peer feedback in class; revise and explain what changed.

My creative-work plan and reflection

Check your understanding

What is the subject of Section C in this source?

Only medieval papacyOnly modern ecumenical institutionsThe role of women in the early church

Practice only. No marks are posted to the gradebook.

HC 4 History of Christianity during the Early Period (Up to 600)

Amazing Grace Biblical Seminary — M.Th. History of Christianity

Area B HC- 4 History of Christianity during the Early Period (Up to 600) 4 Credits Scope The main purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with the main issues in the History of Christianity till 600 A.D. to develop an ability to critically evaluate events and sources, and to relate such main issues to the issues and problems in the History in India. Objectives To gain an understanding of the formative years of the Christian movement, understand the development within the 600 years within a pluralistic context similar ways in some ways to that of India. Special focus to be given to such issues as the spread of Christianity both inside and outside the Roman Empire and also to give special attention to the contributions of important Greek and Latin Christian Fathers. Course Outline Section A: Christianity during the Pre- Constantine Period 1. The Context: Geographical, Political, Social and Religious condition of the Greco Roman World. 2. Growth of Christianity before Constantine: Westward, Eastward including India. 3. Christianity and Persecutions. 4. Literary work of the Apostolic Fathers and Others. 5. Christian Apologists/Polemist and their Contributions in relation to Gnosticism, Montanism, etc. 6. Life, Worship, Faith and Ministry of the Early Church. 7. Life and Contribution of Selected Pre-Nicean Church Fathers: i. Ignatius ii. Irenaeus iii. Polycarp iv. Jerome v. Tertullian Section B: Christianity during the Post-Constantine Period (Council of Nicea (325) 1. Church and State Relationship. 2. Christianity beyond the Roman Empire. 3. Arian/Theological Controversy: Council of Nicea till the Council of Constantinople (381). 4. Christological Controversies - the teaching of Apollonarius, Nestorius and Eutychus. 5. Rise and Development of Christian Monasticism. 6. Developments in Christian Life, Worship, Faith and Ministry, Church Administration including Patriarchates, Councils, etc. 7. Life and Contribution of Selected Eminent Post- Nicean Church Fathers: i. Athanasius ii. Eusebius of Caesaria iii. Cappadocian Fathers iv. John Chrysostom v. Diodore of Tarsus vi. Theodore of mopsuestia vii. Cyril of Alexandria viii. Augustine of Hippo ix. Ambrose of Milan 8. The Development of Chalcedonian and Non Chalcedonian Christianity. i. Western Christianity and the Rise of Papacy. ii. East Christianity and the Rise of the Non Chalcedonian Churches. Section C: Role of Women in the Early Church 1. Women in the New Testament Period. 2. Women in Judaism. 3. Women in Greco-Roman World. 4. Selected Women in the Early Church. 5. Women in the Patristic Literature. 6. Women and the Ascetic Movement.

Faculty review notes: The source lists Jerome among selected Pre-Nicean fathers. That classification is retained for faculty review rather than silently corrected. No evaluation percentages are supplied in this syllabus. AGBS must confirm grading; no scheme is inherited from another course. No separate bibliography is supplied. Faculty should add an approved reading list; no books or editions have been invented.

Text reproduced from HC- 4 History of Christianity during the Early Period (Up to 600).doc. Source credit values, where present, do not establish an individual registration, teaching dates or faculty approval of later changes.