The Church Fathers in the Theology of the Reformation

This course will explore the extent and nature of the theology of the Church Fathers in that of the Reformation theologians, Lutheran, Reformed (including Anglican) and Catholic, up to the early 17th century. There will be eight topics covered: 1. Method issues: Renaissance, language and scholarship of the Fathers and the bible, including the question of ‘sola scriptura ; 2 Key figures: Irenaeus, Chrysostom, Augustine, Ratramnus; 3. Issue 1: Atonement, Justification and Sanctification; 4. Issue 2: Eucharist/Lord’s Supper; 5. Issue 3: Predestination. :6. Issue 4: Trinity and Christology 7; Issue 5: the Church; 8. Conclusions and Presentations. The course will aim to instruct in patristic theology in context and in the context of its appropriation by Early Modern writers. Thus there will be a consideration of a ‘triangular’ relationship between Reformation theology , the Church Fathers and the biblical texts. This will proffer a truer picture of how the Church Fathers have worked on Western theology in Modernity and what has been missed in this translation.