Students are asked to research and compile their own pertinent bibliographies for each topic, but a brief ‘pump-priming’ list is linked to each essay question below.
1. The Parting of the Ways
2. “Jewish Christianity”
Primary Sources: Patristic texts on the Ebionites (see Skarsaune 2007); Pseudo-Clementine Recognitions 1.27-72
3. Law and Ethics
Primary Sources: New Testament letters of Paul; Aristides; Epistle to Diognetus
4. Orthodoxy and Heresy
Primary Sources: Irenaeus, Against Heresies; Letters of Ignatius and Polycarp
5. Nag Hammadi and Gnostic forms of Christianity
Primary Sources: Irenaeus; Apocryphon of John; Testimony of Truth
6. Apostolic Fathers
Discuss with reference to: Shepherd of Hermas; 1 Clement
7. Apologists
Primary Sources: Justin, First and Second Apology
- OR: ‘The only belief separating Justin from Trypho is that of Jesus as the Messiah.’ Discuss.
Primary Source: Dialogue with Trypho
8. Ecclesiology
Primary Sources: 1 Corinthians; Acts; The Didache; Pliny, Letter 96 to Trajan; Justin, 1 Apology 61-67.
