T7274A Later Byzantine Patristic Theology

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This course unit engages the thought and methods of the later Byzantine Fathers, investigating the major trends within the Greek Christian tradition from the ninth to the fifteenth century. Building on Early Byzantine Fathers, it assists students to understand the connection between historical circumstances, the spiritual life and the formulation of Christian theology in the later Byzantine period.

Unit Code:		T7274A
Unit Name:		Later Byzantine Patristic Theology
Credit Value:		9 credit points
Mode of Study:		Face to Face/ Synchronous ZOOM and Asynchronous.
Pre-Requisite Units:		9 TH cr pts

Background
It is important for a theological student’s formation to gain an appreciation of the written works and times of the later Byzantine Fathers. Following the Apostolic Fathers who consolidated the dogmatic truths of the Christian faith, particularly in relation to the pagan past and the heresies that arose largely in the east, the theological concerns of the later Fathers of the 9th-15th centuries necessarily branched out into new areas. Notable among these areas are (1) the interiorization of the spiritual life, (2) the more detailed articulation of the pre-existing tradition of hesychasm and (3) the ecclesial and doctrinal responses that were increasingly required in response, not so much to the east, as to the west and the fresh challenges arising from there.

In order to provide greater depth in understanding the patristic theology of this period, concentration will be given to three Fathers: Photios the Great, Symeon the New Theologian and Gregory Palamas. While other contemporary personalities will also be referred to, the voluminous writings of these Fathers in particular, and the terminology employed by them, provide important themes for our understanding of soteriology today.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course unit, students should be able to:

1. Understand the historical and ecclesial contexts of various trends in middle and later Byzantine tradition
2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the main theological and spiritual themes developed by the middle and later Byzantine Fathers
3. Critically review the primary and secondary sources on middle and later patristic Byzantine themes such as iconology, hesychasm and mystical theology
4. Critically analyse themes developed by the middle and later Byzantine Fathers within their immediate and distant literary and historical contexts
5. Apply the patristic Byzantine tradition within contemporary scholarship and Orthodox Christian experience

During this course unit, students may acquire the following threshold concept. This concept is fundamental to a proper understanding of the unit or course. It is essential for further progress in the discipline.

The effective articulation of doctrinal truths by the later Byzantine Fathers reflects an emphasis on the direct experience of God which, although not departing from the ecclesial and doctrinal tradition of the Church, uniquely reinforced the importance of prayer, hesychasm and thesacramental life for salvation.

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