1 Early Christian Theology: The Patristic Period, c.100–451
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Early Christian Theology: The Patristic Period, c.100–451
Contents
Difficulties in Approaching Early Christian Theology
The Historical Background to Early Christian Theology
Centers of Early Christian Theological Reflection
The patristic period is one of the most exciting and creative periods in the history of Christian thought. In recent years, the term “early Christian period” has come to be used to refer to this important era in historical theology, with major journals increasingly using this term – for example, the influential Journal of Early Christian Studies, which is the official publication of the North American Patristics Society (NAPS). This book continues to use the older term “patristic” as this is still widely used. However, the term “early Christian theology” is also used, and readers should be aware that they will encounter both ways of referring to this important historical period in the literature.
This period is also of importance for theological reasons. Every mainstream Christian body – including the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, and Roman Catholic churches – regards the patristic period as a definitive landmark in the development of Christian doctrine. Each of these theological traditions regards themselves as continuing, extending, and, where necessary, criticizing the views of the early-church writers. For example, the leading seventeenth-century Anglican writer Lancelot Andrewes (1555–1626) declared that orthodox Christianity was based upon two testaments, three creeds, four gospels, and the first five centuries of Christian history. In what follows, we shall explore the basic features of this important period in the history of Christian thought.