The Making of Catholic Theology: The Patristic Period

Module Description:

The purpose of this module is to explore the emergence of the discipline of theology in its historical, social and cultural contexts in the early post-New Testament period. The Patristic period exerted a great influence on such important areas as the establishment of the canon of Scripture, the science of the interpretation of the biblical text, the development of liturgy, and both reflection and catechesis on the sacramental rites. The Fathers of the Church contributed greatly to the development of Christian theology in such vital areas as Christology, Pneumatology and Trinitarian theology.

The Patristic era is the period of the first seven ecumenical Councils of the Church, each associated with important authoritative teaching on doctrinal matters, often occasioned in response to the emergence of heresy and schism in the Early Church. The Early Church witnessed the search for true Christian identity in relationship to her acknowledged ancestry in Judaism, her developing relationship and dialogue with the surrounding cultures in which she found herself, and her critical appropriation of some of the best elements of the Philosophical schools. The Church of the early centuries endured many waves of bitter persecution and, correspondingly, many Fathers sought to exhort people to give courageous witness to Christ and to the faith as martyrs.

This module will explore some of the contributions of the Fathers of the Church to developments in theology. Individual Fathers will be studied for their specific contributions to doctrinal issues. The variety of genres of Patristic writings will be explored and students will be encouraged to adopt a ‘hands-on’ approach to reading selected Patristic texts throughout.

Indicative Bibliography:

Bettenson, H., The Later Christian Fathers (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984). Brock, S., The Harp of the Spirit: Eighteen Poems of St Ephrem (SSS 4; London: Fellowship of St Alban & St Sergius, 1983).
Brown, P., Augustine of Hippo: A Biography (London & Boston: Faber & Faber, 1988).
Harmless, W., Augustine in His Own Words (Washington: Catholic University of America Press, 2010).
Lancel, S., St Augustine (London: SCM Press, 2002).
Meredith, A., The Cappadocians (London: G. Chapman, 1995).
Ramsey, B., Beginning to Read the Fathers (London: DLT, 1986).
Staniforth, M. and Louth A., Early Christian Writings (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1968, 1987).>

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Explain the contribution of major Fathers of the Church to the development of Christian Theology and doctrine.
• Access critical editions of Patristic texts, reputable translations and relevant secondary literature and commentaries in this area.
• Explain the importance of the Early Church Councils in terms of their historical contexts, and the doctrinal issues at stake.
• Illustrate the influence of Patristic thought with specific reference to some major theologians of recent centuries.
• Illustrate the phenomenon of the development of doctrine.
• Critically assess the importance of tradition in Catholic theology.

Methods of Assessment and Student Workload

Continually assessed.