Alister McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction Chapter 1 The Patristic Period, c.100-c.700 Wiley-Blackwell 2010

The Early Centers of Theological Activity Alexandria –Greek-speaking –Modern-day Egypt –Association with Platonic tradition –Alexandrian school Antioch –Greek-speaking –Modern-day Turkey –Paul’s missionary journeys –Antiochene school –Cappadocian fathers Western north Africa (Carthage) –Latin-speaking –Roman colony at time of Christianity –Tertullian, Cyprian, Augustine Wiley-Blackwell 2010

An Overview of the Patristic Period A clarification of terms –The patristic period –Patristics –Patrology The theological agenda of the period –The relationship between Christianity and Judaism –Apologetics –Constantine & theological debate –Later patristic period (c ) - emerging theological consensus –Difficulties of studying the patristic period Debates seem irrelevant Familiarity with philosophy Age of flux Division between eastern Greek-speaking and western Latin-speaking church Wiley-Blackwell 2010

Key Theologians Justin Martyr (c.100-c.165) Irenaeus of Lyons (c.130-c.200) Tertullian (c.160-c.225) Origen (c.185-c.254) Cyprian of Carthage (d.258) Athanasius (c ) The Cappadocian fathers –Basil the Great (c ) –Gregory of Nyssa (c.330-c.395) –Gregory of Nazianzus (329-89) Augustine of Hippo ( ) Wiley-Blackwell 2010

Key Theological Debates and Developments The extent of the New Testament canon –The “fixing of the canon” –Canon, canonical –Development of the term “Scripture” to include writings of the New Testament –Athanasius’ 39th Festal Letter (367 C.E.) –Debates over certain books –Arrangement and order of the books –Criteria for canonicity The role of tradition: the Gnostic controversies –The challenge of Gnosticism –Tradition and the rule of faith (regula fidei) –Tertullian’s view of tradition and Scripture Wiley-Blackwell 2010

The fixing of the ecumenical creeds –Creeds and confessions –Apostles’ creed –Nicene creed (Niceno-Constantinopolitan creed) The two natures of Jesus Christ: the Arian controversy –Jesus as “of one substance” with God –Flavored by the Greek philosophical tradition –Alexandrian school (divinity); Antiochene school (humanity) –Arius (c.250-c.336) –Apollinarius of Laodicea (c.310-c.390) –The Council of Nicea (325) –The Council of Chalcedon (451) The doctrine of the Trinity –Eastern position (Cappadocian fathers) –Western position (Augustine of Hippo) Wiley-Blackwell 2010

The doctrine of the church: the Donatist controversy –The church: for saints or sinners? –Persecution under the Roman Empire ( ) –Traditores –Donatists v. Augustine The doctrine of grace: the Pelagian controversy –Pelagius (early 5th century) –Pelagianism & human autonomy –Augustine the priority of the grace of God the fallenness of human nature (original sin) –Salvation by merit v. salvation by grace –Predestination –Council of Carthage (418) Wiley-Blackwell 2010