Ecclesiology: Beginnings of the ChurchCourse Level: Intermediate

As a topic Ecclesiology, the theology of church, studies the church in itself, that is, as an institution with a 2000-year history. This course is the first in a series of three courses, which together will give the student a basic understanding of a topic that is essential for effective catechesis. The first part,  Ecclesiology: Beginnings of the Church,  introduces the student to the theological study of the Church. The student will become familiar with basic terms and concepts that are essential for understanding the Church's nature and mission, and how these have been a constant theme in the Church's evolution as a "living organism" throughout history.

While complete in itself, this course is designed to lead into  the other Ecclesiology courses.
[Catechists and lay ecclesial ministers are required to take all three courses in order.]

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's. Click here for more information about CEU's.

• Understand the study of ecclesiology and context of the earliest Church communities in their cultural context of first century Judaism
• Exhibit an understanding of the theological impact of resurrection faith upon the earliest communities and an understanding of the complex context of the early Jesus movement
• Gain an understanding of the Apostle Paul’s image of Church and his vision of community of Christ
• Develop an understanding of the role of discipleship in the life of the early Church and the various organizational structures as these are presented in the Synoptic Gospels.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the early Church in the Johannine community at the turn of the first century. Then to understand the connections between the earliest Church communities of the first century and the Church of Vatican II.

• No books required. All readings are online.

• Week 1: The World of Jesus and the Early Church
  • Understand the definition of ecclesiology.
  • Understand the relationship between the nature of ecclesiology as concerned with the historical identity of the Church and the Church as itself an object of faith.
  • Understand who were the diverse Jewish groups that make up first century Palestine and why this context is important to the ministry of Jesus and the beginnings of the early Church.
• Week 2: The Early Church Communities
  • Expand the student's understanding of how scripture scholarship is an essential tool in doing ecclesiology
  • Deepen the student's appreciation for how "church history" begins in the New Testament, and how the early Church saw in its experience the action of the Holy Spirit directing the Church's life
  • Learn what is meant by the historical-critical method of scripture scholarship and how this affects our understanding of the Church
• Week 3: A Living Organism: Change and Adaptation
  • Trying to gain a sense of what it might have felt like to be a member of the Church between 60 A.D. and 80 A.D.
  • Gaining an understanding of how events that had a profound effect on Judaism in this period had an effect as well on the development of the Church.
  • Recognizing and appreciating how change, transition, and development— predictable characteristics of a living organism—raised the issues of structure and leadership for the ongoing community.
• Week 4: The Church Comes Into Its Own
  • Recognize and appreciate the changed situation surrounding John’s gospel, and how the context shaped the text.
  • Reinforce awareness of the different “church questions” evident in the synoptics and in John.
  • Understand the significance in the change of apostles’ image from “fishers of men” to “shepherds.”
• Week 5: Launching the Future of the Church
  • Understand how the experience of the New Testament Church can serve as guide, encouragement, and challenge rather than as a blueprint in facing contemporary ecclesial issues.
  • Appreciate key differences between a “pre-critical” model of Church and the Church of Vatican II.
  • Demonstrate comprehension of the essential connection between contemporary scripture scholarship and Vatican II ecclesiology.