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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 ( )

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 )
A creature cannot save another creature
Christians worship and pray to Jesus
Homoiousios (of like substance) and homoousios (of the same substance)

8. 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”

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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