Church History: The Church to AD 461

Programme outline

Day 1 - Early Church Fathers: Overview of the period up to AD 312. The response of Irenaeus and Tertullian to heresy in the community. Origen and his doctrine of the Trinity. Cyprian and the problem of post-baptismal sin.

Day 2 - Credal disputes: Overview of the period from Constantine's conversion (312) to the Council of Chalcedon (451). The Arian dispute and the Council of Nicaea (325) Was Emperor Constantine a blessing or a bane for the church? Athanasius of Alexandria and the Cappadocian fathers.

Day 3 - Augustine Day: Overview of the life of Augustine of Hippo. Did Augustine invent "original sin"? What did he teach about the Trinity? Focus on the Pelagian dispute-how holy is it possible to be in this life?! What were the concerns of Augustine and Pelagius?

No prior qualifications required for the course.

Tutor: Dr. Geoffrey Cooke

Sessions: Saturdays 10.00 am - 4.00 pm

Fee: 80 GBP