Course Title: The Church Fathers: Lives, Writings, and Theological Legacy
Course Description: This 18-week course provides a comprehensive study of the Church Fathers, exploring their lives, writings, and impact on Christian theology and practice. From the Apostolic Fathers to the great theologians of the Nicene and Post-Nicene eras, students will delve into the historical context, doctrinal contributions, and spiritual insights of figures such as Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Augustine, and more. Through lectures, discussions, and primary source readings, students will gain an understanding of the development of Christian doctrine, the defense against heresies, and the shaping of the early Church. The course culminates in a midterm presentation and a final exam assessing comprehension and analytical skills.
Schedule: Every Tuesday, 7:00–8:00 PM ET, beginning August 26.
Lesson Plan:
Aug 26 – Introduction: Who Are the Church Fathers? Historical Context of the Early Church
Sept 2 – The Apostolic Fathers: Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp
Sept 9 – The Apologists: Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, and the Defense of the Faith
Sept 16 – Irenaeus of Lyons: Combating Gnosticism and Defining Orthodoxy
Sept 23 – Tertullian: Latin Theology and the Defense Against Heresy
Sept 30 – Origen of Alexandria: Scholarship, Allegory, and Controversy
Oct 7 – The Cappadocian Fathers: Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa
Oct 14 – Athanasius: Defender of the Nicene Faith
Oct 21 – Augustine of Hippo: Confessions, The City of God, and Theology of Grace
Oct 28 – Jerome: Scripture Translation and Biblical Exegesis
Nov 4 – John Chrysostom: Preaching, Pastoral Care, and Reform
Nov 11 – Cyril of Alexandria and Christological Controversies
Nov 18 – Midterm Presentations: Selected Church Father Profiles
Nov 25 – The Desert Fathers and Mothers: Asceticism and Monasticism
Dec 2 – The Councils and the Fathers: Nicaea, Constantinople, Chalcedon
Dec 9 – The Fathers in the Medieval and Byzantine Traditions
Dec 16 – Modern Reception and Relevance of the Church Fathers
Dec 23 – Final Exam and Course Wrap-Up
Midterm Presentation: Students will present on a selected Church Father’s life, writings, and theological impact.
Final Exam: Comprehensive assessment covering biography, writings, theology, controversies, and legacy of the Church Fathers.
Course Title: The Church Fathers: Lives, Writings, and Theological Legacy
Course Description: This 18-week course provides a comprehensive study of the Church Fathers, exploring their lives, writings, and impact on Christian theology and practice. From the Apostolic Fathers to the great theologians of the Nicene and Post-Nicene eras, students will delve into the historical context, doctrinal contributions, and spiritual insights of figures such as Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Augustine, and more. Through lectures, discussions, and primary source readings, students will gain an understanding of the development of Christian doctrine, the defense against heresies, and the shaping of the early Church. The course culminates in a midterm presentation and a final exam assessing comprehension and analytical skills.
Schedule: Every Tuesday, 7:00–8:00 PM ET, beginning August 26.
Lesson Plan:
Aug 26 – Introduction: Who Are the Church Fathers? Historical Context of the Early Church
Sept 2 – The Apostolic Fathers: Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp
Sept 9 – The Apologists: Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, and the Defense of the Faith
Sept 16 – Irenaeus of Lyons: Combating Gnosticism and Defining Orthodoxy
Sept 23 – Tertullian: Latin Theology and the Defense Against Heresy
Sept 30 – Origen of Alexandria: Scholarship, Allegory, and Controversy
Oct 7 – The Cappadocian Fathers: Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa
Oct 14 – Athanasius: Defender of the Nicene Faith
Oct 21 – Augustine of Hippo: Confessions, The City of God, and Theology of Grace
Oct 28 – Jerome: Scripture Translation and Biblical Exegesis
Nov 4 – John Chrysostom: Preaching, Pastoral Care, and Reform
Nov 11 – Cyril of Alexandria and Christological Controversies
Nov 18 – Midterm Presentations: Selected Church Father Profiles
Nov 25 – The Desert Fathers and Mothers: Asceticism and Monasticism
Dec 2 – The Councils and the Fathers: Nicaea, Constantinople, Chalcedon
Dec 9 – The Fathers in the Medieval and Byzantine Traditions
Dec 16 – Modern Reception and Relevance of the Church Fathers
Dec 23 – Final Exam and Course Wrap-Up
Midterm Presentation: Students will present on a selected Church Father’s life, writings, and theological impact.
Final Exam: Comprehensive assessment covering biography, writings, theology, controversies, and legacy of the Church Fathers.
