History of Doctrines I

An introduction to the literature and themes of the patristic period, from the first to the seventh centuries. Emphasis will be on reading and discussing primary sources in translation. The primary themes to be pursued are the formation of Christian doctrine of God, Christ, salvation, and eschatology; the church, specifically, its character, worship, structure, and relation to the world; spiritual life, especially ascetical and monastic differentiations; the interpretation of the bible; finally, the relation of faith and culture.
In the first semester we will be acquainted with the theologians and theological controversies of the first four centuries.

Competences

Specific competences

The student will see the process of formation of the christian doctrines, and will be able to see and evaluate each doctrine in its historical and cultural context.

General competences

With the historical vision formed during the classes, the student will be able to draw up the christian message for his own age and theological-cultural context.

Course structure

  1. The first theological controversies of the Early Church with Jews and Gentiles; the christological teaching of the apostolic fathers.

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 14-20 (7)
  2. Adoptionist and docetist trends in the Early Church

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 20-37 (18)
  3. The doctrine of Trinity before Origen

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 37-46 (10)
  4. The life and theological importance of Origen

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 47-70 (24)
  5. The most important expressions from the field of the doctrine of Trinity and Christology: ousia, physis, hypostasis, prosopon

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 71-75 (5)
  6. The first general theological controversy: Arius and the arianism; the first Ecumenical Council of Nicea and its Creed.

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 76-88 (13)
  7. Teological controversies after Nicea: the councils of Sardica and Sirmium.

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 88-94 (7)
  8. The life and theological importance of Athanasius

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 94-104 (11)
  9. Christological and pneumatological side tracks: Apollinaris, Macedonius and the pneumatomachians.

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 104-117 (14)
  10. The theology of the Cappadocian fathers I: Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianz.

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 117-134 (18)
  11. The theology of the Cappadocian fathers II: Gregory of Nyssa

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 134-162 (29)
  12. The life and theological significance of Amphilochius of Iconium

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 162-171 (10)
  13. The Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople: its prelude, convocation, events and Creed

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 171-185 (15)
  14. The canons and results of the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople

    Reading:

    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Követvén a szent atyákat... Az óegyház dogmatörténete 381-ig, 185-190 (6)
    • István Pásztori-Kupán: Mindnyájan egybehangzóan tanítjuk. Az óegyház dogmatörténete, 11-14 (4)

Total estimated time

Classroom study

  • 2 hours/week (Course: 2 | Seminar: 0 | Practice: 0)
  • 28 hours/semester (Course: 28 | Seminar: 0 | Practice: 0)

Individual study

  • Time for studying course notes and bibliography: 56 hours/semester.
  • Time for further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field: 29 hours/semester.
  • Time for preparing essays, papers, or documentation: 12 hours/semester.
  • Time for personal tutoring: 3 hours/semester.
  • Total individual study: 100 hours/semester.
  • Total estimated time: 128 hours/semester.

Examination

Oral exam based on the content of the classes an on the primary literature.