Sacred Christian Texts from the Second Century (CT9420A)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit explores the context and writings of the Second Century AD, particularly the writings of the Apostolic Fathers and the early apologists. Students are guided through a close and critical reading of select texts, paying attention to genre, rhetoric and theological discourse. Students will learn to let ancient texts speak for themselves, without reading their own opinions into them; this will be done by analysing their content, context, methodology, authorial intent and appropriation by readership of subsequent centuries. The relevance of these texts to contemporary social and theological challenges will be discussed. The views of modern scholarship, interpretation and criticism of these ancient texts will also be presented and discussed.

Unit code: CT9420A

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: St Athanasius College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically evaluate the message, content and theology of the Apostolic Fathers and the apologists of the second century
2.

Analyse the theological contribution of a particular reading of early Christian texts, paying attention to genre, methodology, and historical context

3.

Appraise an ancient’s author’s response to the theological issues at stake in second century centres of Christianity, showing awareness of antecedent theological reflection
4.

Evaluate an ancient author’s response to the culture of the time and delineate the ways in which the same text can be appropriately placed in dialogue with contemporary culture
5.

Examine, appraise and where relevant, challenge the conclusions of modern scholarship on interpretive difficulties in ancient texts

Pedagogy

lectures and class discussion

Indicative Bibliography

  • Behr, John. The Way to Nicaea. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2001. (recommended for purchase)
  • Chadwick, Henry. The Early Church. London: Penguin Books, 1993.
  • Daniélou, Jean, and Marrou, Henri Irénée. The First Six Hundred Years. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1964.
  • Frend, W. H. C. The Rise of Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984.
  • Grant, Robert M. Greek Apologists of the Second Century. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1988.
  • Holmes, Michael W. The Apostolic Fathers in English. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2006. (recommended for purchase)
  • Ignatius, and Stewart-Sykes, Alistair. The Letters. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2013.
  • Melito, and Stewart-Sykes, Alistair. On Pascha: With the Fragments of Melito and Other Material Related to the Quartodecimans. Crestwood, N.Y.: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2001.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Wiki

Wiki Forum Posts (500 words)

 0 10.0
Wiki

Wiki Forum Posts (500 words)

 0 10.0
Journal

Review of peer-reviewed journal article (1000 words)

 0 20.0
Essay

Written Assessment Task (2,000 words)

 0 30.0
Essay

Written Assessment Task (2,000 words)

 0 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-11 12:45:31 +1100