Reformed Theological Seminary - Charlotte HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY I Fall 2019 Professor S. Donald Fortson 704 366-5066 (RTS) [email protected] Course Description This general introduction to Christianity in the early church and medieval era focuses on the key persons, movements and ideas that have made significant contributions to the history of the Church. Special attention will be given to exploring how experiences and insights from the Christian past inform contemporary faith and practice. As an outcome of the course, students should have a general grasp of Christian history during these periods and a basic knowledge of the major personalities and ecclesiastical issues of the first 1500 years of Church History. Required Texts 1. Bettenson, Henry. Documents of the Christian Church. Second Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1963. (3rd Edition, 1999; 4th Edition, 2011). 2. Dowley, Tim. Editor. Introducton to the History of Christianity. (1st or 2nd Edition). Grand Rapids: Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006. 3. Litfin, Bryan. Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, second edition, 2016 4. Maier, Paul. Eusebius: The Church History. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2007. Course Requirements 1. Weekly Assignments A. Reading - Students will have weekly assignment sheets with readings from the required texts and Scripture that are due by the next class period. B. Weekly Quiz - At the beginning of each class session there will be a short cumulative quiz on dates from the assignment sheets. The dates will also be included as a part of the final exam. C. Discussion Questions - Students will write a one-page typed response to the discussion questions for each assignment. Discussion question responses will be due at the end of class sessions. 2. Biographical Paper Each student will choose an individual from Christian history that lived after the apostles and before the Protestant Reformation and write a 12 -15 page (double-spaced, 12 point font) typed paper on this person. One major biography (200 page minimum) on the person should be read. The paper should be a narrative of the person’s life and contribution to the church of his/her day based on the biography read. The paper should conclude with a one-page reflection on insights from the person’s life that might be useful today. It is not necessary to use footnotes for summaries of historical information. However, if there are direct quotations from the book, page numbers should be indicated. Students are welcome to use multiple sources for the biography paper but this is not necessary. One 200-page biography will fully satisfy the assignment. If one is using multiple sources, footnotes would be proper to indicate the source of specific information. Include a bibliography page at the end. Paper is due at class time on the last class session of the semester - November 26. Choosing a biography Students are free to select from a wide array of biographies. One may choose an Early Church Father, a martyr, a medieval scholastic or mystic, a Christian emperor, a Pope, a Christian king, a monk, reformer or any significant Christian that lived before Martin Luther. There are many options; use the Dowley text and course lectures to help you make a good choice. Autobiographies, such as Augustine’s Confessions, do not qualify for this assignment. Do not use a biography you have read before; learn about someone new. It is preferable that students not choose St. John Chrysostom or St. Augustine, as they are both covered extensively in class, however, you may choose them if this is your keen interest. Where to look If you live near a Bible College, Christian University or Seminary, you will find a wealth of options in these libraries. Public universities and public libraries will also have a few biographies of famous Christians like Augustine, St. Patrick, Francis of Assisi or Thomas Aquinas. If your home church has a library, you may find something there. Also, your pastor may have a few Christian biographies in a personal library. Students may also wish to consider purchasing a good biography that would be a useful addition to their own library. There are many places to look and one should not have a problem locating an acceptable biography. 3. Final Exam The examinations will include essay questions from the required reading and lectures. There will also be short-answer sections on important dates, people and ideas. The final may be taken any time during Exam Week – Dec. 5-10. 4. Reading Report – This report will indicate the amount of Required Reading that has been completed during the semester. Students may either indicate their reading for semester on final exam or turn in attached report by the end of exam week – Dec. 10. 4. Class participation: Per seminary policy, it is required that students be present for all class sessions. In an emergency, you may notify professor that you have been “providentially hindered” from attendance. It is expected that students will keep current in their reading and hand in assignments on time. Failure to comply with these standards will result in grade reduction. 5. Chapel Participation One of the fundamental tenets of Reformed theology is the centrality of preaching. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “The primary task of the Church and of the Christian minister is the preaching of the Word of God” (Preachers and Preaching, 19). For this reason, we believe weekly chapel is an integral part of seminary training. It is an opportunity to hear the word preached in the context of preparing for the ministry. Since this class meets on Tuesday morning, we will treat chapel as part of this class. Thus, all students in this class are expected to attend. Chapel runs from 10:00- 10:30AM (after which class will resume at 11AM). Please use this chapel time to particularly reflect upon the importance of the preached word for Ancient/Medieval Christianity and our churches today. Optional iBook for the course: Available for purchase on the iBook store for $9.99 is the History of Christianity I iBook. This interactive book contains the lesson outlines, reading assignments, date quizzes, review questions, and more. Striking imagery and interactive elements bring this course to life and will help you engage and understand this period of church history. The iBook is available on iPads and users running Mavericks OS and above. Grading Weekly Quizzes and Discussion Questions - 25% Biographical Paper - 25% Reading Report - 25% Final Exam - 25% Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes Course: History of Christianity I Professor: Fortson Campus: Charlotte Date: Fall 2019 MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes Rubric Mini-Justification In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the Strong following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each Moderate course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the Minimal contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes. *As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. None Articulation Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both Strong 1. Memorization of dates oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, 2. Development of doctrine (oral & historical, and cultural/global information, including 3. Biographical studies written) details, concepts, and frameworks. Also includes ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. Scripture Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Minimal 1. Weekly bible reading Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research assigned further into the original meaning of Scripture and to 2. Scripture-based devotions apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. 3. Discuss churches (Includes appropriate use of original languages and interpretation of Bible hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, throughout course and cultural/global perspectives.) Reformed Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and Minimal 1. Focus on pre-Reformation Theology practice, with emphasis on the Westminster 2. Ancient faith and practices Standards. 3. Medieval theology 4. Augustinian doctrines of grace Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the Strong 1. Monastic Spirituality student’s sanctification. 2. Medieval mysticism 3. Piety of St. Augustine 4. Practice of Prayer Worldview Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of None 1. Historic roots of faith & God. Includes ability to interact within a practice of global church denominational context, within the broader 2. Multi-ethnic, cultural worldwide church, and with significant public issues. expressions of Christianity Winsomely Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an Strong 1. Emphasis on catholic Reformed appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, Christianity especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the 2. Cover Church history that Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians; belongs to all Christians and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) 3. Ecumenical Creeds Pastoral Ability to minister the Word of God to hearts and lives Moderate 1. Church history illustrations Ministry of both churched and unchurched, to include for preaching preaching, teaching, leading in worship, leading and 2. Models of Pastoral Care shepherding the local congregation, aiding in spiritual 3. Evangelism & missions maturity, concern for non-Christians. History of Christianity I Assignment 1 – September 3, 2019 Reading: 1. Intro to History of Chr., pp.14-28, 34-6, 57-81, 123-29 (24-44, 58-66, 92-97, 2nd Ed.) 2. Documents of the Christian Church, pp. 62-67 (68-73, 3rd Ed.) [67-71, 4th Ed.] 3. Eusebius, Book 1 4. Getting to Know the Church Fathers, Ignatius 5. Acts chapters 1-11, Romans 1:8-16, 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 Dates to Remember: 35 A.D. Paul's conversion 64 A.D. Nero's persecution 70 A.D.