GB 5423 Historical Theology I
Spring 2011
Dr. John Mark Hicks
Course Description
A survey of Christian thought from 100 CE to 1600 CE. The thought of
influential leaders (including Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian,
Clement, Origen, Cyprian, Augustine, Chrysostom, John of Damascus, Anselm,
Bernard, Aquinas, Gregory of Palamas, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and the
Anabaptists), Ecumenical Councils and the division between East and West is
studied in view of the theological development of Christian thought. Themes are
studied in their historical development, including apologetics & philosophy,
scripture & tradition, heresy and Gnosticism, Trinitarianism, Christology,
ecclesiology, soteriology, anthropology, and the sacraments, and in terms of their
significance for the contemporary church.
1. To engage in theological discussion in the context of historical thought.
2. To investigate and discover the theological method and significant themes
of historical persons.
3. To understand and explain the significance of historical theology for the
contemporary church.
4. To think both theologically and historically about major themes in the
Christian tradition.
5. To subject our own theological method and views to the critique of
previous theologians.
6. To explain the dynamic of theological development in the history of
Christian thought.
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Course Textbooks
Bagchi, Daivd and David C. Steinmetz, eds. The Cambridge Companion to
Reformation Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2004. ISBN: 9780521776622.
Bell, David N. Many Mansions: An Introduction to the Development and Diversity
of Medieval Theology. Cistercian Studies 146. Kalamazoo: Cistercian
Publications, 1996. ISBN: 978-0-87907-346-6
Burns, J. Patout. Theological Anthropology. Sources of Early Christian Thought.
Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1981. ISBN: 978-0800614126
Gonzalez, Justo L. Christian Thought Revisited: Three Types of Theology.
Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1999. ISBN-13: 978-1570752551
Norris, Richard A., Jr. The Christological Controversy. Sources of Early
Christian Thought. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1980. ISBN: 9780800614119
Rusch, William G. The Trinitarian Controversy. Sources of Early Christian
Thought. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1980. ISBN: 978-0800614102
Course Requirements
1. Class Participation (10%)
a. Attendance. Unexcused absences will result in reduced points.
b. Blackboard. Weekly assignments are posted on Blackboard.
Timely and substantive contributions are expected.
c. Class Discussion. Participation is expected with attention to
assigned readings.
2. Historical-Theological Papers (60% of your grade)
You are required to write two papers. Each paper should be between
2000-2500 words.
Choose at least one Christian author from A.D. 100-1000 and one Christian
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author from A. D. 1000-1600. You are not limited to the authors we study
in this course. You may select other writers or theologians that interest
you. However, check with the instructor for permission and assistance.
Your paper should be a reflection on a particular theological theme within
a particular writing by a specific writer from the period (e.g., the concept
of merit in the Summa of Thomas Aquinas, or predestination in Zwingli’s
Providence of God, or the role of the “Jesus Prayer” in the spirituality of
Gregory of Palamas in his Philokalia). Reading the primary source material
is essential.
In addition, you must utilize at least five secondary sources which are
interpretations of this topic in relation to the author you are reading.
The paper should (1) identify the significance of the topic in historical
theology; (2) describe the author’s view; and (3) comment on the
contemporary significance of the topic for theology and/or church practice
today.
The first paper is due on March 10 at 11:00pm (CST) and the second on
April 20 at 11:00pm (CST). All late papers are automatically reduced by
one letter grade per week for each week late.
3. One Comprehensive Exam (30% of grade).
There is one comprehensive exam in the last week of the course. The final
exam will ask you to integrate the material of the course in a
comprehensive manner. The exam will be completed at home rather than
in class.
Grading Scale:
A = 90%+; B = 80%-89%; C = 70%-79%
Contact Information
Lipscomb Office Phone: 615-966-5725
Email: johnmark.hicks@lipscomb.edu
Modules
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Jan 10 Introduction to Historical Theology
Gonzalez, 13-15
Hicks, “Why Care about Church History or Historical Theology,”
http://johnmarkhicks.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/why-care-about-church-history-or-historical-theology/
Jan 17 Three Early Voices: Ignatius, the Didache and the Gospel of Thomas
Didache (http://www.zdziarski.com/papers/Didache-Zdziarski.pdf) or
(http://www.ccel.org/ccel/richardson/fathers.viii.i.i.html)
Gospel of Thomas (http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/gosthom.html or
http://www.murple.net/thomas/thomas_coptic.html) or
http://users.misericordia.edu//davies/thomas/Trans.htm
Ignatius, Letters (http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainti05.htm).
Ephesus (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0104.htm)
Magnesia (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0105.htm)
Tralles (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0106.htm)
Rome ( http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0107.htm)
Philadelphia (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0108.htm)
Smyrna (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0109.htm)
Polycarp (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0110.htm)
Jan 24 Alexandrian Theology (Early Platonic Theology)
Gonzalez, pp.1-32.
Justin Martyr's First Apology (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm)
Justin Martyr's Second Apology (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0127.htm)
Origen, On First Principles, Preface (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/04120.htm)
and Book II (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/04122.htm)
Jan 31 North African Theology (Early Latin Theology)
Gonzalez, 34-64.
Tertullian,
a. On Baptism http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0321.htm
b. On Repentance, http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0320.htm
c. On Prayer, http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0322.htm
Cyprian,
d. On the Unity of the Catholic Church,
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0507.htm (Treatise I on the website)
e. On the Lapsed, http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0507.htm (Treatise III on
the website).
f. Epistles 58, 62, 69, 70, 72, 73, http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0506.htm
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Feb 7
Asiatic Theology (Early Greek Theology)
Gonzalez, pp. 65-90
Gnostic Texts:
a. The Gospel of Truth; http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/got.html
b. The Gospel of Philip; http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/gop.html
Irenaeus, Against Heresies,
c. Book I, Preface; http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf0158.htm#P6158_1380382
d. Book II, Chapters 10-11, 26, 27;
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book2.html
e. Book III, Preface; http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf0160.htm#P7300_1937880
f. Book III, Chapters 1-5, 11; http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf0160.htm#P7300_1937880
g. Book V, Preface; http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf0163.htm#P8903_2545596
h. Book V, Chapters 1-3, 19-20, 32-33, 36; http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF01/anf01-63.htm#P8903_2545596
Feb 14 Trinitarian Theology
Trinitarian Controversy
Many Mansions, chapters 7, 10.
Feb 21 Christology
Christological Controversy
Feb 28 Anthropology
Theological Anthropology
Many Mansions, chapter 17.
Mar 7 Monastic Theology
Many Mansions, chapters 1-3.
John Cassian, “Institutes”
http://www.osb.org/lectio/cassian/inst/inst11.html#11.0
Gregory the Great, “Pastoral Care”
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/36011.htm
“Rule of St. Benedict”
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http://www.osb.org/rb/text/toc.html#toc
St. Bernard, “On Loving God”
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/bernard/loving_God/loving_God.html
Mar 14 SPRING BREAK
Mar 21 Eastern Spirituality
Many Mansions, chapters 8-9, 14-15
Gregory of Nyssa, “On Perfection”
http://www.sage.edu/faculty/salomd/nyssa/
John of Damascus, “On Holy Images”
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-images.html
Gregory of Palamas, “On Unceasing Prayer”
http://strannik.com/watchful_gate/pdfview/view/41
Mar 28 Scholastic Theology
Many Mansions, 4-5, 11-12. 15-16
Anselm, “Why God Became Man,” Book I.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/anselm-curdeus.html
Thomas Aquinas, “Summa Theologica,” cause, effect and merit of grace.
http://www.newadvent.org/summa/2.htm
Apr 4
Vernacular Theology
Reformation Theology, chapters 1-4
Julian of Norwich, “Revelations of Love,” 14th Revelation.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/julian/revelations/
Jan Hus, “On the Church,” Chapters 1-4
http://books.google.com/books?id=hsSCAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=i
nauthor:Hus&hl=en&ei=eRD4TMWcGcGAlAfmotGNAg&sa=X&oi=book_r
esult&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
John Tauler, “Inner Way,” Sermons 1-5.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/tauler/inner_way.html
Apr 11 Lutheran Theology
Reformation Theology, chapters 5-6, 16-17
Martin Luther
"95 Theses" (1517)
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/web/ninetyfive.html
“Sermon on Threefold Righteousness”(1518)
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/web/3formsrt.html
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“Concerning Christian Liberity”
(http://ia700108.us.archive.org/20/items/concerningchrist01911gut/1911h/1911-h.htm)
"Baptism," Large Catechism
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/catechism/web/cat-13.html
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/catechism/web/cat13a.html
“Sacrament of the Altar,” Large Catechism
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/catechism/web/cat14.html
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/catechism/web/cat15.html
Augsburg Confession (1530; articles 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 18, 20)
http://www.ctsfw.edu/etext/boc/ac/
Council of Trent, "On Justification" (1547)
http://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct06d1.htm
Apr 18 Reformed Theology (Zwingli and Calvin)
Reformation Theology, chapters 8-10
Ulrich Zwingli
“A Short Exposition of the Faith” (1531)
http://web.archive.org/web/20050218092952/http://www.hugsr.edu/544A/zwi
ngli2.htm
“Sixty-Seven Articles” (1523)
http://web.highland.net/~jwest/67.pdf
Jean Calvin
“Institute of the Christian Relligion” (1559)
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.toc.html
“Geneva Confession” (1559)
http://www.creeds.net/reformed/frconf.htm
Apr 25 Anabaptist Theology
Reformation Theology, chapter 15.
Schleitheim Confession
Introduction by John Howard Yoder.
http://www.mcusa-archives.org/library/resolutions/schleithiem/yoderintro.html
Confession Itself
http://www.mcusa-archives.org/library/resolutions/schleithiem/cover-intro.html
(use the left menu to read each article, seven total)
Menno Simon
“A Fundamental and Clear Confession of the Poor and Distressed Christians”
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http://www.mennosimons.net/fulltext.html (scroll down to the title listed
above)
May 2 Final Exam Week