Introducing the main teachings of the Christian Church, this course considers theological ideas from the early centuries and the Middle Ages, and modern writings principally from the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
The course considers the development of Christian thinking about God, taking account of apocryphal texts and 'vernacular' theologies, as well as Church Councils and official doctrines, such as the Trinity. We shall examine the theology of Pseudo-Dionysius and the 'mystical' tradition that followed from him, e.g., in Nicholas of Cusa. We shall also consider the growth of a more 'rationalistic' style of theology, as found in Thomas Aquinas. Attention will be paid to the writings of visionaries such as Bridget of Sweden.
We shall consider the fundamental point of dispute at the Reformation – whether creatures can mediate between God and humanity – and address the Catholic theology of the Counter-Reformation. We shall also consider the growth in the theology of Holy Wisdom.
Finally, we shall critically examine the theology of the twentieth century, including both major authors and the alternative perspectives of liberation theologies, and their twenty-first century successors.