Chapter 1 The Patristic Period, c. 100-451 Alister E. McGrath Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought

Difficulties in approaching patristic theology Debates seem irrelevant to modern world Philosophical ideas Doctrinal diversity and fluidity Division between eastern Greek-speaking and western Latin-speaking church

Historical background to patristic theology The historical importance of the city of Rome The problem of persecution The conversion of Constantine (321) The development of public theological debate Centers of theological reflection Rome Constantinople Alexandria Antioch Western North Africa

Key theologians Justin Martyr (c.100-c.165) Irenaeus of Lyons (c.130-c.200) Origen (c.185-c.254) Tertullian (c.160-c.225) Athanasius (c.296-c.373) Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Key theological developments The relation of Christian faith and classical culture The extent of the New Testament canon The role of tradition The fixing of the ecumenical creeds The two natures of Jesus Christ Alexandrian and Antiochene schools Arius and Apollinaris The Council of Nicea (325); the Council of Chalcedon (451) The doctrine of the Trinity The doctrine of the church The doctrine of grace

Case study 1.1 The Bible and tradition Tradition  traditio (handing down/over) Four sources for the synoptic gospels Mark’s gospel Material common to Matthew and Luke (Q) Material only in Matthew Material only in Luke Gnosticism v. tradition Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies: apostolic tradition Tertullian: orthodoxy and continuity Vincent of Lérins: ecumenicity, antiquity, consent

Case study 1.2 The Arian controversy: The divinity of Christ Ebionitism Docetism Justin Martyr & Logos-Christology Origen’s Logos-Christology Arius (c.250-c.336) The Father existed before the Son The Father is unknown to all creatures, including the Son Christ’s divine titles are merely honorific (catechrestic) Athanasius (c.296-373) A creature cannot save another creature Christians worship and pray to Jesus Homoiousios (of like substance) and homoousios (of the same substance)

Case study 1.3 The Alexandrian Christological school: The Apollinarian controversy Redemption  deification Cyril of Alexandria (d.444) the union of the Logos and human nature Apollinaris of Laodicea (c.310-c.390) a divine mind and soul in the human Christ Gregory of Nazianzus (329-89) “what has not been assumed has not been healed”

Case study 1.4 The Antiochene Christological school: The Nestorian controversy The two natures of Christ The hypostatic union Nestorius (died c.451) Mary as Theotokos (“God-bearer”) The communication of attributes 1. Jesus Christ is God 2. Mary gave birth to Jesus 3. Therefore Mary is the Mother of God Cyril of Alexandria

Case study 1.5 The Trinity: Early developments and controversies Irenaeus of Lyons: the economy of salvation Eastern approach to the Trinity: distinct individuality Western approach to the Trinity: unity and mutual fellowship Perichoresis Appropriation Modalism

The Cappadocian approach to the Trinity One substance (ousia) in three persons (hypostaseis) Father as the source of the Son and the Spirit Augustine’s model of the Trinity Spirit as the love which unites the Father and Son Psychological analogies: traces of the Trinity in creation The filioque controversy (“and from the son”) The eastern, Greek church (Cappadocian fathers) The western, Latin church (Augustine)

Case study 1.6 The church: The Donatist controversy Donatus, bishop of Carthage (315) Traditores Cyprian of Carthage, The Unity of the Catholic Church (251) God as father, Church as mother The Donatists v. the Catholics Augustine’s view of the church as a mixed body of saints and sinners Ex opere operantis (on account of the work of the one who works) Ex opere operato (on account of the work which is worked)

Case study 1.7 Grace: The Pelagian controversy The freedom of the will Augustine: human free will weakened through sin Pelagius: perfection is possible The nature of sin Augustine: a hereditary disease, a power, guilt Pelagius: sin as deliberate actions The nature of grace Augustine: God’s generous and unmerited gift Pelagius: natural human faculties; external enlightenment The basis of salvation Augustine: God’s grace Pelagius: merit through good works

Case study 1.8 Faith and philosophy Justin Martyr Jesus Christ is the Logos Secular philosophy derives from the Logos and can point to Christ Clement of Alexandria Classical philosophy prepares the way for the gospel Analogy between philosophy and the Old Testament Tertullian Tension between pagan philosophy (Athens) and Christian revelation (Jerusalem) Augustine Critical appropriation