History of Doctrines I

An introduction to the literature and themes of the patristic period, from the first to the seventh centuries. Emphasis will be on reading and discussing primary sources in translation. The primary themes to be pursued are the formation of Christian doctrine of God, Christ, salvation, and eschatology; the church, specifically, its character, worship, structure, and relation to the world; spiritual life, especially ascetical and monastic differentiations; the interpretation of the bible; finally, the relation of faith and culture.
In the first semester we will be acquainted with the theologians and theological controversies of the first four centuries.

Competences

Specific competences

The student will see the process of formation of the christian doctrines, and will be able to see and evaluate each doctrine in its historical and cultural context.

General competences

With the historical vision formed during the classes, the student will be able to draw up the christian message for his own age and theological-cultural context.

Course structure

# Title
1 The first theological controversies of the Early Church with Jews and Gentiles; the christological teaching of the apostolic fathers.
2 Adoptionist and docetist trends in the Early Church
3 The doctrine of Trinity before Origen
4 The life and theological importance of Origen
5 The most important expressions from the field of the doctrine of Trinity and Christology: ousia, physis, hypostasis, prosopon
6 The first general theological controversy: Arius and the arianism; the first Ecumenical Council of Nicea and its Creed.
7 Teological controversies after Nicea: the councils of Sardica and Sirmium.
8 The life and theological importance of Athanasius
9 Christological and pneumatological side tracks: Apollinaris, Macedonius and the pneumatomachians.
10 The theology of the Cappadocian fathers I: Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianz.
11 The theology of the Cappadocian fathers II: Gregory of Nyssa
12 The life and theological significance of Amphilochius of Iconium
13 The Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople: its prelude, convocation, events and Creed
14 The canons and results of the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople

Total estimated time

Classroom study Course Seminar Practice
2 hours/week 2 0 0
28 hours/semester 28 0 0
Individual study Hours/sem
Total estimated time 128
Studying course notes and bibliography 56
Further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field 29
Preparing essays, papers, or documentation 12
Personal tutoring 3
Total individual study 100

Examination

Oral exam based on the content of the classes an on the primary literature.

Bibliography

Book