Content

Students undertaking this unit will learn about the two schools of Christological teaching (Alexandria & Antioch) in the early church and the Christological controversies of the 5th century that arose as a result. Students will study the Christological teaching, canons and documents of the two Ecumenical councils Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451), focusing on the Christological debate. The Christological stand of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, particularly the position of the Coptic Church, will be explored, compared and contrasted to the definition adopted at the Council of Chalcedon. The unit will cover the efforts to reconcile the two views of the relationship of the Divinity and Humanity of the incarnated Christ from the 5th century till the modern dialogue in the 20th and 21ST centuries.

Unit code: CT2709A

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: St Athanasius College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Summarise the Christological teaching of the two schools of the early church

2.

Outline the development of the Church's understanding of the person of Jesus Christ.

3.

Describe the Christological teaching which arose out of Ecumenical councils in the 5TH century.

4.

Identify the distinguishing features of the Christological understanding of Oriental Orthodox churches with the definition adapted at the Council of Chalcedon

5.

Discuss the efforts to reconcile the two schools of Christological teaching made in past and modern times.

Unit sequence

Systematic Theology unit at level 1 or 2

Pedagogy

Six fortnightly sessions, comprising guided reading from the set texts, additional reading resources and some notes, together with an online tutorial. Students will be expected to contribute to the discussions in each session.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Abramowski, Luise & Goodman, Alan E. (Eds.). Nestorian Collection of Christological Texts, Volume 2: Introduction, Translations and Indexes. University of Cambridge Oriental Publications, 1972.
  • Davis, Stephen. Coptic Christology in practice: incarnation and divine participation in late antique and medieval Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
  • Donald, Leo Davis. The first seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): their history and theology. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 1990.
  • Hardy, Edward R. (Ed). Christology of the Later Fathers. Westminster: John Knox press, 1995.
  • Ishak, Shenouda M. Christology and the council of Chalcedon. Outskirts Press, 2013. (recommended for purchase)
  • McGuckin, John. Saint Cyril of Alexandria and the Christological Controversy. Crestwood, New York: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2004.
  • Price, Richard and Whitby, Mary (Eds.). Chalcedon in Context Church Councils 400–700: Translated Texts for Historians. Liverpool University Press, 2009.
  • _____ & Gaddis Michael. *The Acts of the Council of Chalcedon, Translated with introduction and notes by Richard Price and Michael Gaddis. Liverpool University Press, 2005.
  • Samuel, V.C. The council of Chalcedon, Re-Examined. Oriental Orthodox Library, 2005. (recommended for purchase)
  • Sellers, D.D. Two Ancient Christologies: A Study in the Christological Thoughts of the School of Alexandria and Antioch in the Early History of the Christian Doctrine. London: Billing and Sons Ltd., Guilford and Esher, 1954.
  • ______. The Council of Chalcedon a Historical and Doctrinal Survey. S.P.C.K., 1953. * Welch, Lawrence J. Christology and Eucharist in the early thought of Cyril of Alexandria . San Francisco, CA: Catholic Scholars Press, 1994.
  • Wessel, Susan. Cyril of Alexandria and the Nestorian Controversy: The Making of a Saint and of a Heretic, Oxford Early Christian Studies. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.

Also, handouts, and articles from various texts will be available online.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay 2500 Words

0 50.0
Essay

Essay 2500 Words

0 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-11 12:17:51 +1100