EARLY CHURCH

(CHIS 600)

Andrews University, SDA Theological Seminary

Fall, 1999

Class: Room 150	Instructor: T. O'Reggio

Time: 6:30-9:30pm, Thursday	Office: Room 115

Credit: 3-4 hours	Telephone: 471-3541(ofc)

473-2319 (home)

I. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

A. The era of persecution:

"The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment of the Savior's words. The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against Christ in the person of his followers. Paganism foresaw that should the gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept away; therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity." Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 39 (1884).

B. Changes in the experience of the Christian church:

"Satan . . . laid his plans to war more successfully against the government of God, by planting his banner in the Christian church. If the followers of Christ could be deceived, and led to displease God, then their strength, fortitude, and firmness would fail, and they would fall an easy prey . . . ." Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 42.

C. The impact on the Christian church:

"At last the larger portion of the Christian company lowered their standard, and a union was formed between Christianity and paganism." Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p 42.

"As persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and his apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and tradition. The nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, arrayed in robes of righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ.

This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of the man of sin foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan's power,--a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p. 51, 52.

"In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church. Paganism had given place to the papacy. The dragon had given to the beast 'his power, and his seat, and great authority.' And now began the 1260 years of papal oppression foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and John." Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 57.

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION

A study of the experience, message, and mission of the church during the first six centuries. Special attention will be focused on the fulfillment of prophetic history. The experiences, attitudes, hopes, and practices of early Christians will be selected for their usefulness to a modern pastor.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES

A. Attitudes:

1. To inspire respect for the persons, ideas, and events of the early church, and appreciate their value for today and the future.

2. to create an attitude toward the past that is courteous as well as critical.

B. Skills:

1. To successfully distinguish between the various approaches of interpreting history.

2. To analyze and evaluate early church teachings.

3. To discuss the working of providence and prophetic fulfillment in the history of the early church.

4. To use the insights obtained from the study in the pulpit and evangelism.

C. Knowledge:

1. To provide an overall view of the development of the periods in the history of the early church.

2. To correlate prophecy with the history of the early church.

3. To provide an overall view of the development of the major doctrines.

4. To show the relevance of the early church theology in the mission of the church and in the life of the individual.

D. Evaluation:

1. Evaluation of skills and attitudes through written assignments.

2. Evaluation of the knowledge obtained through objective testing.

IV. COURSE OUTLINE

A. Bible prophecy and the history of the early church

B. Views on the history of the early church

C. The early churches literature

D. Church-state relations

E. Persecution and the early Christians

F. The heresies

G. Paganism and Christianity

H. Judaism and Christianity

I. The early Christian teachings

J. The rise and power of the papacy

V. TEXTBOOKS/VIDEOS/CD-ROMS

A. Required Books:

1. Eusebius, The History of the Church

B. Recommended Books/Videos/CD-ROMs

1. Books

a. White, E. G., The Great Controversy

b. Goodspeed, Edgar J., A History of Early Christian Literature. Rev., and Enlarged by Robert M. Grand. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1966.

2. Videos

a. An Empire Conquered (1 hour). BR165.E46

b. From Christ to Constantine: The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church (six 30 min. videos) BR1604.2.T75, vol. 1 & 2.

c. Lindsay, Allen. Keepers of the Flame. Episode 1: The Apostasy. Adventist Media Center. (1 hr). BX6153.L53.

d. Schaeffer, Francis. How Should We Then Live? vol. 1: Program 1 - The Roman Age. (30 min). BR115.C5.S34, vol. 1.

e. Inside the Vatican with Sir Peter Ustinov. vol. 1: Upon This Rock (50 min). DG796.I57..

3. CD-ROM

Fathers of the early church on DC-ROM. Sage Digital Library, vols. 1 & 2. P.O. Box 1926, Albany, OR 97321 (PC and MAC).

VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Reserve Reading List - 100 points

1. Reading requirements: 26 hours from the following books:

-Eusebius, The History of the Church (From Christ to Constantine).

-Socrates, Church History (From A.D. 305-439), NPNF, 2nd series, vol. 2, pp. 1-
178.

-Ellen G. White, Great Controversy, chapters 1-3.

-Sozomenus, Church History (From A.D. 325-425), NPNF, 2nd series, vol. 2, pp. 191-427.

-The Seven Ecumenical Councils, NPNF, 2nd series, vol. 14.

2. Viewing requirements: 4 hours at TMC of the James White library.

-An Empire Conquered (1hour)

-From Christ to Constantine: The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church (A series of six. 30 min. videos).

-Keepers of the Flame. Episode 1: the Apostasy (1 hour).

-How Should We Then Live? vol. 1, 1st part: The Roman Age (30 minutes).

-Inside the Vatican with Sir Peter Ustinov. vol. 1: Upon This Rock (50 minutes).

B. Research Paper - 100 points

1. Nature of the research paper.

a. The research paper is to be a minimum of 20 pages of text in length (bibliography not included) and should follow the AU Standards for Written Work and Turabian's Manuel (6th ed.) The introduction of not more than 3 pages should contain a statement of the problem, purpose, and methodology.

b. A typed research proposal containing a title, a statement of the problem (includes a short survey of what others have done in this area), the purpose (includes the significance of the research), the methodology (includes names of chapters, definitions, presuppositions and limitations), and a tentative bibliography is due within the first two weeks (October 15).

c. Give credit for all sources you use, whether you quote, paraphrase, or borrow ideas.

2. Select a topic of the following options:

a. Select one of the 27 SDA fundamental doctrines. Write a research paper of a minimum of 20 pages on this doctrine as taught in the early church. Focus on a specific church father or century.

b. CD-ROM research on the Ante-Nicene Father and Nicene and post-Nicene Fathers on the early church fathers' views regarding the following topics:

-teachings on the Sabbath

-the Lord's day

-baptism

-persecution

-antichrist

-mystery of iniquity

-the nature of Christ

-righteousness by faith

-justification by faith

-millennium

-the nature of the Holy Spirit

-the law

-the covenant

-dress and adornment

-eating and drinking

-fasting and prayer

-theater

-the mass

-the prophetic gift

-the authority of an elder

-the authority of a bishop and his relation to the elder

-the place and function of a woman

-Constantine

-Clovis, king of the Franks

-Justinian, Roman emperor

-Peter

-Mary

-the bishop of Rome (or pope)

-the 3 horns (Heruli, Vandals, Ostrogoths)

-the Arians

C. Examination/Grading

1. Midterm	= 100 points

Final	= 100 points

Paper	= 100 points

Reading	= 100 points

Total = 400 points

2. Letter Grades are calculated on a percentage basis.

A = 95-100	B = 80-84	C = 65-69
A- = 90-94	B- = 75-79	C- = 64-60
B+ = 85-89	C+ = 70-74	D = 45-59

3. Factors that influence grading

a. Work handed in late generally does not receive full credit unless caused by circumstances beyond the control of the student.

b. All exams must be taken at the assigned time unless an emergency intervenes preventing this.

READING REPORT	NAME:

Early Church CHIS600	Fall 1999	T. O'Reggio

Title of Book or Article	Date	Pages	Hours	Total Pages
GRAND TOTALS - BOTH HOURS AND PAGES

I certify that all of the above information is true and accurate.

Signature________________________ Date ________________