The doctrinal development of the early church fathers and the Greek apologists, the doctrinal construction in the Nicene and post-Nicene period, and the further development and divisions in the Middle Ages, the Reformation Period, and the Modern Era.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Exploring how churches have wrestled with doctrinal controversy gives ministry leaders a deeper understanding of doctrine and church history, equipping them to lead a doctrinally sound ministry and confront contemporary doctrinal issues.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be at least 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. (CLOs: A, B, C)

Research Paper: Topic Selection Assignment

Each student will select and submit his/her topic for the research paper. A list of predefined topics will be listed within the course. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Research Paper: Thesis, Outline, and Bibliography Assignment

The student will write a thesis, outline, and bibliography based on the unique topic selected from the list of topics within the course. The bibliography must include at least 5 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLOs: A, B, C, D)

Analysis Paper Assignments (3)

The student will write a 600–1000-word analysis paper in response to the topic and directions posted within the course. The paper must incorporate course readings from the current and previous modules: weeks. The paper must be in current Turabian format. (CLOs: A, C, D)

Book Review Assignment

The student will write a 1250–1750-word review of either Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective or Theology of the Reformers, but not both. The introduction will state the book’s thesis and the student’s intentions for the review. The conclusion will state the author’s thesis and the student’s intentions in the review. The body of the paper will fulfill the student’s intentions stated in the introduction. (CLOs: A, B, C)

Research Paper: Final Submission Assignment

The student will write a research-based paper of at least 3,000 words in current Turabian format that focuses on one unique topic. The paper must include at least 5 references including 1 research article found on JSTOR in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLOs: A, B, C, D)