Loyola School of Theology

First Semester SY 2020-2021

TMP 248.03 A – Church History I: First to Thirteenth Centuries

Fr. Albert Cecilio A. Flores

aflores@lst.edu

Course description and objectives

This “first cycle” introductory course surveys the history of the Church in the early and medieval periods.

It seeks to provide the students with a “panoramic view” (of this particular era in Church history) that
will help them to contextualize important themes discussed in other courses.
It seeks to instill in them a historico-critical sense by introducing them to the work and the ways of
Church historians.

The course is divided into two parts: the first part is from the beginnings of the Church to the pontificate
of Gregory the Great (beginnings to 604), while the second part extends the coverage to the pontificate
of Boniface VIII (1294-1303).

At the end of the course, students should be able to discuss key issues and developments during this
period in the history of the Church. They should be able to connect these topics to their other courses.
They should also be able to identify relevant primary and secondary sources, and use them properly in
their writing.

Textbooks and reading materials

The following books will be used in class: (1) A. Franzen, A History of the Church (1968), pp. v-227; J.
Comby, How to Read Church History, vol. 1: From the beginnings to the fifteenth century (1985), pp. 1-
174.

Reading materials/recommendations will also be given in connection with the topics being discussed.

Course outline

1. Preliminary considerations. «Church history» as discipline. Object and method. History or theology?
Its place in a program of theology.

Early Church (beginnings to 604)

2. The beginnings of the Church. The historico-religious context. Jesus and the beginnings of the Church.
Early Christianity within Judaism. Groupings and currents within early Christianity. Separation from the
synagogue.
 J. Comby, How to Read, 1-17; A. Franzen, History, 1-19.34-37;

3. Mission and conversion. First stages of expansion and its characteristics; causes of mission.
Geographical spread. Sociological data. Favorable and unfavorable conditions. «Missionary» preaching,
reasons for conversion.

J. Comby, How to Read, 17-28.60; A. Franzen, History, 19-23.

4. Society, state and Christianity. (a) The pre-Constantinian era (until 312/313) – Distance and isolation
of Christianity. Polemics. Persecutions. (b) The Constantinian «turning-point». From Constantine to
Theodosius: the formation of the imperial Church. Christian emperors, pagans, and the Church.

J. Comby, How to Read, 29-46; 67-76. A. Franzen, History, 45-68.

5. Life and organization of the Church. Local churches and the praxis of unity. The development of
ecclesiastical structures. The liturgy – baptism, Eucharist and penance. Forms of piety and sanctity.

J. Comby, How to Read, 47-59.77-86.100-103; A. Franzen, History, 93-105;

6. Conflicts, heresies, schisms. Theological orientations – the creed, the canonical Scriptures. Early
Christian literature.

J. Comby, How to Read, 60-66.104-115; A. Franzen, History, 24-33.37-44.83-92.

7. The first four ecumenical councils. Early discussions on the Trinitarian problem. Arianism and the
council of Nicea (325). The crisis after Nicea and the discussion concerning the Spirit. The council of
Constantinople (381). The Christological problem. The council of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451).

J. Comby, How to Read, 87-100; A. Franzen, History, 68-82.

Medieval Church (604-1303)

8. The Church in the Middle Ages. The term «middle ages». Societal unity. Periodization. Islamic
invasion.

J. Comby, How to Read, 116.121-122; A. Franzen, History, 107-114.135-137.

9. Assimilation and transformation of Christianity. The Christianization of the Germans, Celts and Slavs.
Reasons for conversion and missionary methods. Transformation of the structure of the Church – the
signoria fondiaria; the proprietary church; the transformation into «lordship» of the episcopal office.

J. Comby, How to Read, 117-120.122-124.130-131; A. Franzen, History, 115-130.

10. Essential aspects of the history of the papacy. The papacy from the 7th to the 10th centuries. The
struggle between the papacy and the empire from the 11th to the 14th c. Medieval political doctrines.
 J. Comby, How to Read, 124-126.128-130.135-140; A. Franzen, History, 138-149.156-173.177-
185.220-227

11. Religious life. Monasticism and Benedict. Cluny. New forms of contemplative life. Canons regular.
Order of «knights». Mendicant orders.

J. Comby, How to Read, 81-86.114.140-144.164-166; A. Franzen, History, 93-99.187-193.212-

215.

12. The laity. The Middle Ages of «The People». The laity in the feudal Church. The Crusades and the
masses. 12th c. novelty: lay saints. The pastoral transformation of the the 13th c.

13. Schism between the East and the West. The Eastern Church and the eventual separation from Rome.
Iconoclasm. Controversies under Photius. The schism of 1054.

J. Comby, How to Read, 123-124.126-127.131-134; A. Franzen, History, 149-153.185-187.

14. Theology and medieval councils. From Gregory I to the 11th c. theologial renaissance. Scholasticism,
canon law and the universities. Heresy and the beginnings of the Inquisition. Papal Councils: Lateran I to
Vienne.

15. On the eve of the Avignon papacy. Celestine V (1294). Boniface VIII (1294-1303).

Grading breakdown

Exam 1 (theses 1-7) – 25%

Exam 2 (theses 8-15) or group work – 25%

Paper/written report – 15%

Final exam – 35%

100%

Syllabus changes and corrections

Changes and updates to the course syllabus and schedule will be made as needed. Students will be
notified of any changes. Please inform the teacher of any instruction, material or content that needs to
be corrected or clarified.