GHI 560 - EARLY CHURCH HISTORY (3 Hours)

1

GHI 560 - EARLY CHURCH HISTORY (3 hours)

Cincinnati Bible Seminary

Summer2013 (May 28 – 31, Tuesday – Friday)

Jerran Jackson, D.Min.

(812) 527-2845 office

(812) 593-8174 cell

Revised April 15, 2013

Course Description

A study of the history of the early church in the first six centuries, carrying the story down to the pontificate of Gregory the Great. Special attention will be given to how certain problems within the church gave rise to developments that created an institution radically different from that pictured in the New Testament.

Course Rationale

In the centuries directly after the apostolic age, the early church developed and spread. The church made some great strides and some great errors. As we become acquainted with how the early church grew and faced challenges, (1) we can gain inspiration from her leaders, (2) we can evaluate her responses to threats, (3) we can avoid some of her errors, and (4) we can follow her example in expanding the kingdom of God in our world.

Course Objectives

In this course, students will:

1. Interact with primary documents from the first five centuries of the early church.

2. Trace and evaluate church leadership developments in the first centuries of the church.

3. Investigate theological questions the early church faced.

4. Evaluate the reliability of the New Testament canon.

5. Explore in depth a topic of each student’s own choosing.

6. Meet key leaders in the first five centuries of the early church.

Texts: Students will read all of the first two books and over half of the third book.

1. Henry Chadwick, The Early Church (revised edition)

New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 978-0-14-023199-1

2. Paul L. Maier, Eusebius: The Church History; A New Translation with Commentary

Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1999. ISBN 978-0-8254-3328-3

(If you already own a copy of Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, you may use it.)

3. Bart D. Ehrman, After the New Testament: A Reader in Early Christianity

New York, NY: OxfordUniversity Press, 1999. ISBN 978-0-19-511445-4

Contacting the Professor

You may reach me through e-mail:

You may call me at Clarksburg Christian Church: (812) 527-2845

You may call my cell phone (812) 593-8174 (but I do not always carry this).

You may talk with me face to face before class, during breaks, or after class.

Pre-Class Reading Assignments

1. Henry Chadwick, The Early Church (revised edition)

New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 978-0-14-023199-1

Read All

Write 1 question per chapter to help us review important people, events, or ideas

2. Paul L. Maier, Eusebius: The Church History; A New Translation with Commentary

Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1999. ISBN 978-0-8254-3328-3

(If you already own a copy of Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, you may use it.)

Read All

Write 1 question per Book to help us review important people, events, or ideas.

3. Bart D. Ehrman, After the New Testament: A Reader in Early Christianity

New York, NY: OxfordUniversity Press, 1999. ISBN 978-0-19-511445-4

Read:

Apostolic Fathers: 28-35, 320-332, 363-369

Tertullian: 75-82, 129-130, 218-226, 349-352, 408-413.

Acts of the Scillitan Martyrs 41

Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas 42

Origen: 82-93, 314-315, 413-429.

Justin: 18-24, 57-64, 347-349,

Irenaeus: 196-210

Ptolemy’s Letter to Flora: 165-170

Letter to Diognetus: 71-75

The Muratorian Canon: 311-312

Hippolytus: the Apostolic Tradition: 328-332, 353-356

Didascalia: 357-360

Cyprian: On the Unity of the Catholic Church: 340-342

Infancy Gospel of Thomas: 255-259

Paul’s Letter to the Laodiceans: 295

Apocalypse of Peter: 296-301

Write 1 question per author to help us review an important idea from each author.

(Apostolic Fathers is one author. Tertullian is one author. Etc.)

Read during the week of class

4. Augustine, Confessions of St. Augustine,

Any edition. You can find this in almost any library.

Skim Books 1-7

Write 1 question for all 7 Books to help us review important events or ideas

5. Jerome’s defense of Mary’s perpetual virginity

Write 1 question to help us review an important idea from this document.

6. Council of Chalcedon:

Write 1 question to help us review an important idea from this document.

7. Second Council of Constantinople:

Write 1 question to help us review an important idea from this document.

Write a 3 page paper beforeclass

Canon Paper OR Heresy/Council’s Paper

Write a 3 page paper on the reliability and authoritativeness of the Canon, OR on one of the Early Church heresies addressed by one of the 7 Ecumenical Councils.

These papers may be turned in to Dr. Jackson any time before 6:01 p.m., May 31, 2013.

You will make an oral presentation of your paper in class during the week.

Worth 100 points

SCHEDULE – Dr. Jackson may alter the schedule and/or assignments.

Tuesday, May 28 – Session #1 (10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Lecture – Background to the Early Church

Get to know each other and the Syllabus

Primary Source work – the New Testament (Small groups work together and report)

Tuesday, May 28 – Session #2 (1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Lecture – The Early Church, A.D. 100-250, Part #1

Panel – Discuss

Chadwick: Chapters 1, 2, 5

Eusebius: Books 1, 2, 5

Ehrman:

Apostolic Fathers: 28-35, 320-332, 363-369

Tertullian: 75-82, 129-130, 218-226, 349-352, 408-413.

Acts of the Scillitan Martyrs 41

Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas 42

Lecture – Tertullian

Primary Source – Tertullian (Small groups work together and report)

Wednesday, May 29 – Session #3 (8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Lecture – The Early Church, A.D. 100-250 Part #2

Panel – Discuss

Chadwick: Chapters 3, 4, 6

Eusebius: Books 3, 4, 6

Ehrman,

Origen: 82-93, 314-315, 413-429.

Justin: 18-24, 57-64, 347-349,

Irenaeus: 196-210

Ptolemy’s Letter to Flora: 165-170

Class Presentations – Canon Presentations

Lecture – Origen

Primary Source – Origen (Small groups work together and report)

Wednesday, May 29 – Session #4 (1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Lecture – The Early Church, A.D. 250-300.

Panel – Discuss

Chadwick 7

Eusebius: 7, 8

Ehrman,

Letter to Diognetus: 71-75

The Muratorian Canon: 311-312

Hippolytus: the Apostolic Tradition: 328-332, 353-356

Didascalia: 357-360

Cyprian: On the Unity of the Catholic Church: 340-342

Class Presentations – Canon Presentations

Lecture – Athanasius

Primary Source – Athanasius (Small groups work together and report)

Midterm Take Home Test

Thursday, May 30 – Session #5 (8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Lecture – The Early Church, A.D. 300-400, Part #1

Panel – Discuss

Chadwick 8, 9

Eusebius: 9, 10

Ehrman,

Infancy Gospel of Thomas: 255-259

Paul’s Letter to the Laodiceans: 295

Apocalypse of Peter: 296-301

Lecture – Jerome

Primary Source – Jerome (Small groups work together and report)

Thursday, May 30 – Session #6 (1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Lecture – The Early Church, A.D. 300-400, part #2

Panel – Discuss

Chadwick 10, 11, 12

Jerome’s defense of Mary’s perpetual virginity

Class Presentations – Heresy/Council Presentations

Lecture – Pelagius

Primary Source – Pelagius (Small groups work together and report)

Friday, May 31 – Session #7 (8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Lecture – The Early Church, A.D. 400-500, part #1

Panel – Discuss

Chadwick 13, 14, 15

Council of Chalcedon:

Augustine, Confessions of St. Augustine, Books 1-7

Class Presentations – Heresy/Council Presentations

Lecture – Augustine

Lunch together (provided)

Friday, May 31 – Session #8 (1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Lecture – The Early Church, A.D. 400-500, part #2.

Panel – Discuss

Chadwick 16, 17

Second Council of Constantinople:

Lecture – Review of the Early Church Era

Group Discussion – wrapping up

Final Take Home Test

GRADING

Quizzes

2 questions over each lecture plus a 5th question:

“Did you complete all of the reading for this session’s panel?”

Each question is worth 5 points

Seven Quizzes (sessions 2-7) x 25 points = 190 points

Canon Paper OR Heresy/Council’s Paper

Write a 3 page paper on the reliability and authoritativeness of the Canon, OR on one of the Early Church heresies addressed by one of the 7 Ecumenical Councils.

Worth 100 points

Class Presentation

Sign up to do one of these two class presentations directly related to your 5 page papers:

(1) “A deacon who grew up in your church commented during Sunday School class that he was not sure 2nd Peter and Jude should be in the Bible. He also said maybe some other books should be in the Bible. Prepare a 5 minute explanation for your Elders on the question of the reliability and authoritativeness of the Canon.” (Sessions 3 & 4)

(2) “Make a 5 minute presentation which (1) Defines an Early Church heresy which was addressed by one of the 7 Ecumenical Councils, (2) Explains the Council’s response to this heresy, (3) Evaluates the Council’s Response, and (4) Connects this response to the mission of Christ’s Church” (Sessions 5-7)

Worth 40 points

Class Participation

Every session (sessions 2-8) bring written questions for the panel from your reading

Participate in the Panel discussion when it is your turn and add to the discussion

Make a class presentation when it is your turn and offer comments

Ask questions during the lectures

Participate in the Primary Source discussions and reports

Eight sessions x 25 points = 200 points

Term Paper

Write a 12-15 page paper on an issue from the EarlyChurch period of your choice which has been approved by Dr. Jackson. Your paper should present your conclusions regarding the issue critically examined and supported by copious primary and secondary sources. You may email your paper to Dr. Jackson any time before 9 a.m., July 16, 2013.

Worth 200 points

Mid-Term Take Home Test

6 Identifications worth 5 points each = 30 points

4 Short Answer questions worth 10 points each = 40 points

2 of 3 essays worth 30 points = 60 points

Total Value = 130 points

Final Take Home Test

8 Identifications worth 5 points each = 40 points

4 Short Answer questions worth 10 points each = 40 points

2 of 3 essays worth 30 points each = 60 points

Total Value = 140 points

FINAL GRADE BASED ON 1000 points

Grading follows the CCU Grading Scale

BonusPoints

If you complete all of the Reading Assignments on time, in other words, you are able to answer yes to all of the reading questions on the quizzes

You will receive a bonus of 50 points

You may write a 3 page Canon or Heresy paper (not the one you already did)

You will receive a bonus of 50 points