Why, what, and how did ancient Christians express sacred devotion? This introductory unit explores the history, ritual and theology of early Christian space and worship in the first five centuries. By examining primary sources, students will explore the dynamic transition, intersection, and development of various religio-cultural experiences in Christian worship.
Unit code: DL8301A
Unit status: Approved (New unit)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational
Unit discipline: Liturgy
Delivery Mode: Online
Proposing College: St Athanasius College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Critically discuss the historical and theological foundations of early Christian worship |
| 2. | Critically reflect on the relationship between ritual and theology of early Christian space and worship |
| 3. | Demonstrate an understanding of the development of Christian worship in the first five centuries |
| 4. | Appraise early ritual, worship and functions among various locales and their historical context |
| 5. | Develop a critical framework for reading and interpreting historical events contained in the primary sources |
Asynchronous and synchronous. Pre-recorded lectures, zoom tutorials with guided reading.
Bradshaw, Paul F. Early Christian Worship: A Basic Introduction to Ideas and Practice. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2010.
Bradshaw, Paul F. Reconstructing Early Christian Worship. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2010.
Bradshaw, Paul F and Maxwell E. Johnson. The Origins of Feasts, Fasts, and Seasons in Early Christianity. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2011.
González, Justo L., and Catherine Gunsalus González. Worship in the Early Church. Louisville: Presbyterian Publishing Corp, 2022.
Hurtado, Larry W. At the origins of Christian worship: the context and character of earliest Christian devotion. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2000.
Johnson, Lawrence J. Worship in the Early Church: An Anthology of Historical Sources. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2017. [Volumes 1-4]
Johnson, Maxwell E. Praying and believing in early Christianity: The interplay between Christian worship and doctrine. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2013.
McGowan, Andrew B. Ancient Christian Worship: Early Church Practices in Social, Historical, and Theological Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014.
McGrath, James F. The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in its Jewish Context. Illinois: University of Illinois Press, 2022.
White, James F. Introduction to Christian Worship. Third Edition: Revised and Expanded Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 2001.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forum | 700 | 10.0 | |
| Essay | 2300 | 40.0 | |
| Forum | 700 | 10.0 | |
| Essay | 2300 | 40.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 11 Sep, 2024
Unit record last updated: 2024-09-11 11:13:49 +1000