Another instalment of academic sites of particualr interest to the postgraduate class. (more…)

Now that the next semester is looming (!) and the holidays all but gone, I present a short book list for those intending to take the courses I am offering in February.

1. PENTATEUCH

This is a first year course: an over-all sketch study of the first five books of the Bible. The textbook is    Introduction to the Pentateuch by Roger Whybray which you can purchase quite cheaply at http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=whybray&bi=0&bx=off&ds=30&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=pentateuch&x=32&y=3. Check elsewhere on the site for further details of the Pentateuch course.

2. INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

This is another 1st year course, comprising a brief survey of the major emphases of Christian theology. The textbook is Introduction to Christian Doctrine by Millard Erickson and can be purchased at http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=millard&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=doctrine&x=0&y=0

3. REFORMATION HISTORY AND THEOLOGY

This is a 3rd year module, with a strong emphasis on the theology and church praxis of Calvin. It should be of particular interest to those who have studied PURITANISM. The textbook is Timothy George’s  Theology of the reformers  and this can be purchased at  http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=952827979&searchurl=an%3Dgeorge%26bi%3D0%26bx%3Doff%26ds%3D30%26sortby%3D3%26sts%3Dt%26tn%3Dreformers%26x%3D62%26y%3D11

4. WISDOM LITERATURE

This module covers a sometimes neglected area of OT research study. We will provide an overview of the major Biblical Wisdom books: Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, together with a selection of Psalms and some extra-Biblical texts in the Apocrypha and other ancient writings. The text-book is  William Brown, Character in crisis: A Fresh Approach to Wisdom Literature  which can be purchased quite cheaply at  http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=brown&bi=0&bx=off&ds=30&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=character+in+crisis&x=46&y=9

5. OT TEXTS: HABAKKUK

This is a more advanced option. We will be attempting a detailed exegesis of the entire text. Though we will be using an English translation, it will be helpful if you have done at least one module of elementary Hebrew. One of the best recent commentaries (in my opinion) is Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (New American Commentary) by Kenneth L. Barker and Waylon Bailey (Hardcover - Oct 1998). Click on the link for the Amazon option.

This module covers the period 100 AD to 325 AD. The start date is (approximately) the close of the New Testament period. Though we refer back to NT writings, our main concern is with the next generations. The close date is the date of the Council of Nicea, under the Emperor Constantine, when Christianity entered a new era, having become the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Please check http://kenbaker.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/ech-lecture-5.ppt for an overview lecture, introducing you to some of the major writers, leaders, events and places involved in the ECH period. Please check out the many articles on this subject on this site by following the Early Church History category in the right hand side toolbar. Go to http://kenbaker.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/early-church-history-men-and-movements/  for a handy timeline of the period. Here is a brief schedule for the course:

1. The NT period: Men and Movements. The missionary movement from Acts 1:8/ Johannine communities in Asia Minor. Ancient non-Biblical witnesses: Pliny, Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius.

2. The next generation: The writings of Ignatius/ Polycarp/ Pliny. Early local persecution.

3. The “Ism”  Trail: Sketching the heresies of two centuries: Ebionitism/ Docetism/ Arianism/ Adoptionism/ Gnosticism/ Montanism…and the “mainstream” creeds from Irenaeus to Athanasius.

4. Introducing the Assignment: Charting the development of ideas about Jesus: “Who do people say that I am?” The assignment of this module is to trace the developing ideas about Jesus from 100AD to 325AD. Some of the articles of the site refer to this in enough detail to get you started. Of particular importance are those under the Christology category, though bear in mind that you are writing a historical rather than theological account.

The range of NT discussion about Jesus/ Ignatius/ Reveiwing “heretical” teachers/ Arius and Athansius.

5. Reviewing the material so far. We will spend one session reviewing the “story so far” introducing new context.

6 The work of Irenaeus/Later persecution

7 Sabellius/ Tertullian/ Origen

8. Diocletian and the division of Empire. 

9. Athanasius and Arius

10. Nicea and beyond: Constantine’s settlement/ Looking ahead.

Note for all my Reformation class to check out out the historical references in this piece.

Probably needs a new chorus?

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU0f_qJLkLg

This week’s seminar/ lecture ech-lecture-5.ppt is something of an overview of the entire period (100-325 AD Christ to Constantine) so we will be revisiting some territory already covered, and hopefully laying down the parameters for your assignment on the developing ideas about Jesus. (Check the category Assignments 07 for more detail) .It’s been good to read one or two assignment outlines via email. Keep ‘em coming!

1. Practices of the early church
   1. Baptism
      1. “Catechumens” were men and women who had declared their interest in Christ, and had come under training by the church, but had not yet been baptized. For various reasons, usually related to poor doctrine (e.g. believing that forgiveness after baptism was much harder than the forgiveness given in baptism), people might remain catechumens for a long time. Even if they were eager, they might be delayed by the practice of putting off baptisms until Easter or another important season, or by the church’s suspicion (in times of persecution) of newcomers.
      2. Justin’s description (c. 150): “I will also relate the manner in which we dedicated ourselves to God when we had been made new through Christ . . . As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, “Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” . . . And in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Ghost, who through the prophets foretold all things about Jesus, he who is illuminated is washed.” (First Apology 61) (more…)

MEN and MOVEMENTS: An EARLY CHURCH HISTORY TIMELINE 

c95 AD Gospel of John completed; Clement’s letter to the Corinthians written 

100 Last books of NT (probably 2 Peter, 1 John) written. Patristic period begins  

110 Letters & Martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch 

144 Marcion is excommunicated by the Church of Rome 

151 1st Apology of Justin written. Justin later martyred ca. 165 

155 Martyrdom of Polycarp; approximate beginning of Montanism 

185 Irenaeus writes Against Heresies; Clement takes over the catechetical school at Alexandria to be followed 20 years later by Origen 

200 c.Sabellius teaches that Father & Son are the same person(modalism)

 206 Tertullian, the first theologian to write in Latin, becomes a Montanist 

250 Origen suffers imprisonment & torture in the persecution of Decius  

292 Emperor Diocletian divides Roman Empire into East and West. 

303 Great persecution of Diocletian begins lasting in the West till 306 and in the east till 313. 

313 Constantine legalizes Christianity & all religions in the Edict ofMilan 

325 Council of Nicea  (more…)

The Puritans: 1600-1699

Richard Baxter, John Owen, Blaise Pascal, John Bunyan, and The Westminster Assembly

• 1603 Arminius takes the position that predestination is based on fore-knowledge
• 1603 James I becomes King
• 1604 The Puritans meet James at Hampton Court. Their hopes are dashed
• 1609 d. Jacobus Arminius
• 1610 b. Brother Lawrence
• 1610 The Arminians issue the Remonstrance containing 5 articles
• 1611 The King James Version, the most influential English translation of the Bible
• 1615 b. Puritan Richard Baxter, author of The Reformed Pastor
• 1616 b. Puritan John Owen, called the Calvin of England

The Reformed Pastor
By Richard Baxter / Banner Of Truth

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was vicar of Kidderminster from 1647 to 1661. In an introduction to this reprint, Dr. J.I. Packer describes him as “the most outstanding pastor that Puritanism produced.” His ministry transformed the people of Kidderminster from “an ignorant rude and revelling people” to “a godly worshipping community.” (more…)

By popular demand I am posting the essay on heresies-in-the-early-churh.doc with due acknowledgement to Robert Jones who has written a number of first class Church History courses for adult Sunday School classes. Check out his work by following the links in the document.

A Rick Wade post (PROBE)

There are several important and interrelated reasons for the persecution of the early church.

First was the problem of identity. Christianity was identified at first with Judaism, but people quickly came to see it as a different religion. Jews were left alone for the most part; it seemed best to Rome to just confine them and leave them alone. Christianity, however, was a strange, new cult, and it began to spread across people groups and geographical boundaries.{1} People felt threatened by this oddball new religion.

The next problem was with the religious activities of the Christians, with what they did do and didn’t do.

In the days of the Roman empire, the worship of pagan gods and the emperor was a part of everyone’s life. Two problems arose because of this. First, because they didn’t participate in pagan rituals but tended to keep to themselves, Christians were considered anti-social. When the imperial police took an interest in them, they became more secretive which added fuel to the fire. They became associated with the collegia–clubs or secret societies–and leaders were suspicious of these groups because of the threat of sedition.{2} Second, since Christians wouldn’t join in with the religious activities which were believed to placate the gods, they became a threat to the very well-being of the community. Writing in about A.D. 196, Tertullian said, “The Christians are to blame for every public disaster and every misfortune that befalls the people. If the Tiber rises to the walls, if the Nile fails to rise and flood the fields, if the sky withholds its rain, if there is earthquake or famine or plague, straightway the cry arises: ‘The Christians to the lions!’”{3} (more…)