The Patristic Period (100-700 CE)

Question 1

What are the early centres of theological activity?

Answer 1

1. The city of Alexandria
2. The city of Antioch
3. Western North Africa

Question 2

What is mainstream Christianity based on (according to Lancelot Andrewes)

Answer 2

1. One canon
2. Two testaments
3. Four “general councils”
4. First five centuries of Christain history

Question 3

What are the two theological agendas of this period?

Answer 3

1. Relationship between Christianity and Judaism

2. Apologetics - defence and justification of the Christian faith

Question 4

What are the 7 key theological debates and developments in the Patristic period?

Answer 4

1. The extent of the NT canon
2. The role of tradition: The Gnostic controversy
3. The fixing of the ecumenical creeds
4. The two natures of Christ: The Arian controversy
5. The doctrine of the Trinity
6. The doctrine of the Church: The Donatist controversy
7. The doctrine of grace: The Pelagian controversy

Question 5

What does the “canon of Scripture” refer to?

Answer 5

A limited and defined group of writings that are accepted as authoritative within the Christian church

Question 6

When and by whom was the 27 canonical books of the NT identified?

Answer 6

In 367 by Athanasius in his 39th Festal Letter

Question 7

What does “regula fidei” mean and how was it used?

Answer 7

rule of faith

Irenaeus used it to argue against the Gnostics as they did not have continuity with the teaching and preaching of the apostles

Question 8

What are the two ecumenical creeds?

Answer 8

Apostles’ creed

Nicene creed

Question 9

What is the Arian controversy?

Answer 9

Christ is regarded as preeminent among other creatures

Question 10

What is the Apollinarian debate?

Answer 10

Christ’s human spirit was replaced by the divine logos. Hence he was not fully human.

Question 11

What was the difference in the approach by the eastern and western church for the doctrine of the Trinity?

Answer 11

Eastern position (“Cappadocian fathers” -Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nazianzus) - began with their reflections by considering the various ways in which the Father, Son and Spirit are experienced

Western position (Augustine of Hippo) - began with the unity of God and the implications of the love of God for understanding the Godhead

Question 12

What did the Donatists argue about the doctrine of the church?

Answer 12

the church was a body of saints within which sinners had no place. wanted to condemn the Christians who handed their copies of Scriptures to the authorities when they were persecuted and later re-joined the church

Question 13

What did the Pelagians argue about the doctrine of grace?

Answer 13

the need for human moral responsibility due to the moral laxity of the Roman church