The Early Church

A Seminar that Examined the Teachings of the Early Church Fathers and the Development of Doctrinal Matters

The Course Description

A seminar on the major events in the history and thought of Christianity from the close of the New Testament to Middle Ages. The seminar will include such topics as the precursors to the Early Church, the prominent figures in the Early Church, the theological issues of the Early Church, and the outcomes of the Early Church.

This Seminar was led by Dr. Michael McMullen

The Course Objectives

  1. Clearly articulate an advanced understanding of various aspects of the history and theology of the Christian Church in the Early Church period.
  2. Demonstrate competence in historical and theological research skills. 
  3. Clearly define and evaluate various methods of biblical interpretation used in the history and thought of the Christian church in the Early Church period.
  4. Demonstrate competence in applying the lessons of the Early Church period of Christian history to modern issues in Christian ministry and contemporary culture.

Reading for the Seminar

1.  Methodology

Finn, Nathan A. History: A Student’s Guide. Wheaton: Crossway, 2016. 978-1433537639. 112 pages

Green, Jay D. Christian Historiography: Five Rival Versions. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2015. 978-1481302630. 217 pages

2. Overview

Holcomb, Justin S. Know the Creeds and Councils. (Chs 1-7 & Conclusion). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014. 978-0310515098. 92 pages

Liftin, Bryan M., Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction, 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2016. 978-0801097249. 288 pages

McKinion, Steven A. ed. Life and Practice in the Early Church. New York: New York University Press, 2001. 978-0814756492. 200 pages

3.  Apologists and Theological Development

Irenaeus of Lyon. Against Heresies, Book 2. Translated by Dominic Unger. New York: Paulist Press, 2012. 978-0809105991. 208 pages

Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Doctrines, Rev ed. New York: HarperOne, 1978. 978-0060643348. 511 pages

Behr, John. The Way to Nicaea. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2001. 978-0881412246. 234 page

4. Theological Controversy and Development

Athanasius. On the Incarnation. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir Seminary Press, 2012. 978-0881414271. 110 pages

Gregory of Nazianzus. On God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations and Two Letters of Cledonius.Translated by Lionel Wickham. Popular Patristics Series. Crestwood. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2002. 978-0881412406. 144 pages

Brown, Peter R. L. Augustine of Hippo: A Biography. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2013. 978-0520280410. 568 pages

Augustine. Later Works (The Library of Christian Classics). Edited by John Burnaby. Westminster John Knox, 1955. 978-0664241650. 360 pages

“VERY GOD OF VERY GOD”  A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF C.H. SPURGEON’S USE OF THE NICENE CREED click here

Book Review of Holcomb’s Work.