920-148 Christianity Through the Centuries

Credit Points:

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Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

Students who complete this subject should be able to:

• understand the contexts in which the basic beliefs, institutions and attitudes of the Christian Church have been shaped;

• understand selected major issues which have effected the Church;

• understand in greater depth one selected historical period of the history of the Church.

Content:

A. The subject will provide a survey of Christian history to give students an introduction to the contexts in which basic beliefs, institutions and attitudes have been shaped. The subject will begin with a study of the Church until the fifth century and then move through such issues as the relation of church and state, monasticism, missionary expansion, patterns of reformation, the impact of science and philosophy, the effects of urbanisation and revolution, the development of ecumenism and secularisation. B. A study on one historical period in greater detail. Students will have the option of studying either 'Councils and Creeds in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries' or 'Christology in an Australian Context.'.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• Bettenson H (ed), Documents of the Christian Church, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press 1970.
• Comby J, How to Read Church History, 2 vols. London SCM 1985-89.