Topic

Subtopic or Focus

Week-specific learning objectives

Reading Sources and watching

The Apostolic and Post-Apostolic Church (AD 30–100)

1.      Origin of Christianity and spread of the gospel

2.     Life and ministry of the apostles

3.     Early Christian communities and practices

4.    Persecution and martyrdom.

5.     Africa’s early presence.

a)     Identify key people, places, events (apostles, persecutions, councils, monastic founders), locating them on a historical timeline.

b)    Describe early leadership (apostles → presbyteroi/ episkopoi; diakonoi), worship (baptism/Eucharist), catechesis, and house‑church life.

c)     Explain early challenges and basic Christian responses.

d)    Recognize Africa’s early presence (Acts 8; Alexandria traditions)

Primary Sources

§  Acts 1–2; 11:19–26; 15:1–21; skim 2:42–47; 4:32–35 (community life).

§  Didache 1–6 (Two Ways), 7 (baptism), 9–10 (Eucharist).

§  1 Clement 40–44 (leadership/unity), optional 1–3 (envy/strife).

Secondary Readings:

§  Hill (ed.), Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity, Intro & pp. 12–28.

§  Litfin, Getting to Know the Church Fathers, ch. 1 “The Apostolic Fathers” (pp. 1–35).

Videos:

§  Thirdmill.org

Topic

Subtopic or Focus

Week-specific learning objectives

Reading Sources and watching

The Ante-Nicene Church (AD 100–313)

1.      Identity under scrutiny,

2.     Apologists and early Christian literature

3.     Persecution under the Roman Empire

4.    Beginning of the formation of the canon.

5.     African anchors (Carthage).

a)    Explain apologists’ aims/methods (Justin, Athenagoras, Tertullian).

b)   Analyze Roman policy (Pliny–Trajan) and effects on identity.

c)    Describe canon criteria (Apostolicity, Catholicity, Antiquity, Orthodoxy, Usage) and key witnesses (Irenaeus, Muratorian, Eusebius categories).

d)   Relate developments to Alexandria and Carthage; integrate Cyprian on unity/discipline.

Primary Readings:

·      Ignatius: Smyrnaeans 1–8; Magnesians 6–7

·      Pliny–Trajan 10.96–97

·      Martyrdom of Polycarp 9–15

·      Tertullian (Apology 1–2 or Adversus Praxean 1–2)

·      Cyprian, On the Unity of the Church 4–6

·      Canon snapshots: Muratorian excerpt; Irenaeus AH 3.11.7

Secondary Readings:

·      Litfin, ch.5 “The Apologists” (pp. 85–120)

·      Hill, ch.3 “Christian Rome” (pp. 30–48)

Videos:

·      Thirdmill (canon/persecution). Optional: Bible Project—“How We Got the Bible”

In-class/Online Activities:

Assessments Due:

Weekly Checklist:

·      Finish required readings (choose 3–4 primary excerpts).

·      Attend mini-lecture; access handout via LMS.

·      Complete forum: canon criterion applied to a modern claim.

·      Submit A1 (900–1,100 words, APA 7).

Topic

Subtopic or Focus

Week-specific learning objectives

Reading Sources and watching

The Patristic Period (AD 313–451)

1.      Constantine & legalization of Christianity

2.     Ecumenical councils: Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381), Chalcedon (451)

3.     Key heresies and doctrinal defenses

4.    Monasticism and early Christian worship

5.     African voices (Athanasius).

a)     Assess Constantine’s mixed effects on the church.

b)    Identify issues/outcomes at Nicaea, Constantinople, Chalcedon.

c)     Explain monastic rise (Antony; Pachomius/Basil).

d)    Connect doctrinal settlement to worship/liturgy.

Primary Readings:

·      Nicaea (325): Creed + short anathemas

·      Chalcedon (451): Definition (short)

·      Athanasius, On the Incarnation (short) or Letter to Serapion (brief)

·      Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 31 (brief Trinity section)

·      Life of Antony (sections), Rule of St. Basil (short)

Secondary Readings:

·      Litfin, ch.8 “The Great Cappadocians” (145–175)

·      Hill, ch.5 (49–70) — Constantine/church–state

Videos:

·      Thirdmill (Constantine/councils/Trinity)

In-class/Online Activities:

Assessments Due:

Weekly Checklist:

·      Finish required readings (choose 3–4 primary excerpts).

·      Attend mini-lecture; access handout via LMS.

·      Complete forum: canon criterion applied to a modern claim.

Submit A1 (900–1,100 words, APA 7).

Topic

Subtopic or Focus

Week-specific learning objectives

Reading Sources and watching

Early Medieval Church (451–1000)

1.      Monastic growth & mission;

2.     church–state (Justinian; Carolingians; iconoclasm);

3.     Development of liturgy and sacramental practices liturgy

4.    Reception of Chalcedon (Ethiopia/Nubia); early medieval theology.

a)     Evaluate how monastic rules shaped spirituality, mission, and social life.

b)    Analyze church–state patterns and iconoclasm/Nicaea II (787).

c)     Describe liturgical developments and sacramental trajectories.

d)    Identify missionary strategies (inculturation, language, translation) and African relevance.

Primary Readings:

·      Benedict’s Rule (obedience, stability, Opus Dei)

·      Bede, Ecclesiastical History (mission episode)

·      Iconoclasm: Council of Hieria (excerpt) or Second Council of Nicaea (787) definition on images

·      Cyril & Methodius: letter/excerpt (mission & language)

·      African/Nubian/Ethiopian dossier (handout)

Secondary Readings:

·      Levy, Introducing Medieval Biblical Interpretation, ch.1 & ch.3

·      Hill, ch.8 “Medieval Christianity” (120–150)

·      Thirdmill (Medieval overview; iconoclasm)

Videos:

§  Thirdmill.org

In-class/Online Activities:

Assessments Due:

Weekly Checklist:

·      Finish required readings (choose 3–4 primary excerpts).

·      Attend mini-lecture; access handout via LMS.

·      Complete forum: canon criterion applied to a modern claim.

Submit A1 (900–1,100 words, APA 7)