Early Church
This course is based on a thematic study of the Church to 500 AD. Topics covered will be selected from the following: the early Christian writings, causes and effects of persecution, church discipline, the development of the church as an institution, dissent, early Christological controversies, the place of women, church-state-society relationships, the controversies leading to Chalcedon, attitudes to wealth and poverty, engaging with society, Augustine.
Prerequisite: MB526
Restriction: MB727 (offered at level 6 and 7)
Course Timetable:
Persecution
The second century church
The development of the institutional church
Constantine and fourth century church relationships
Wealth, poverty and social concern
Engaging with society
Theological controversies
Women in the early church
Worship and eucharist
Baptism and penance
Augustine
