Early Thought, Doctrine and Theology in the Church Fathers and Mother

The first matr phase of Christian theological development took place between the Ascension of Christ as the Council of Chalcedon 451 AD}. During this period, the problems of the Trinity, appropriate exegesis of scripture, Christolog~, and
salvation would be addressed in a variety of ways. In this course, we will explore the development of early Christan doctrine and theology through careful reading of key primary sources and secondary material. Emphasis will be on the
above theolo9ical questions, with special attention to the si~nificance of this theology for lived praxis among Christians at the time and 1n the present day. Key fathers and mothers o the Church will be explored alongside thinkers whose views would eventually be considered heretical. Evaluation is based on two short response papers, a research paper, and classroartlcipation.