Jesus Christ: Yesterday and Today

Created by Dr. Joseph Wawrykow, a Notre Dame Theology Professor, for STEP. Christology is defined as critical theological reflection on Jesus of Nazareth. A Christology is constituted by the attempt to give a systematic account of the identity and significance of Jesus Christ, of who he is and why he is important. This course offers an introduction to Christology through the examination of the teaching of such leading theologians as Athanasius, Cyril of Alexandria, Anselm of Canterbury, Thomas Aquinas, Karl Rahner, and Jon Sobrino. Among the topics to be addressed in the course are: 1) the formulation in the patristic period of a teaching about Christ that is meant to be normative; 2) the adequacy of the patristic formulation; 3) and, the rise more recently of distinctive forms of Christology that depart, to varying degrees, from the classical formulation while trying to retain its basic insights.

Course Content

Unit 1

• Introduction
• Discussion of terms: incarnational Christology; "person" and "nature;" overview of major Christological controversies and responses from patristic writers and Councils
• Selected readings: Athanasius, Cyril of Alexandria, Councils of Chalcedon and II Constantinople)

Unit 2

• Analysis of writings of two leading incarnational theologians: Athanasius of Alexandria and Anselm of Canterbury
• Selected readings: Athanasius, Anselm, and Aquinas

Unit 3

• The incarnational Christology of Thomas Aquinas
• Examination of excerpts of Aquinas' Summa contra Gentiles and Summa Theologiae
• Selected readings: Aquinas: Summa Theologiae

Unit 4

• Overview: Christology "from below"
• Examination of modern critiques of classical, incarnational Christologies
• Christology and the New Testament
• Selected readings: John P. Meier, E.P. Sanders, the Gospel of Matthew

Unit 5

• An examination of the Christology of two 20th century theologians: Karl Rahner and Jon Sobrino
• Selected readings: Dominus Iesus

Course Format

• Created by Notre Dame Theology Professor.
• Six weeks in duration, with one week for orientation.
• Typically 15-20 students in each course.
• Lecture delivered by video player.
• All lecture text available online in course.
• Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links provided for all readings.
• Written assignments (200-250 words) required.
• Facilitator moderated Zoom sessions with students in course.

Required Texts

• All course materials are available online in the course.

Participation Requirements

• View or read the lecture for each unit.
• Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussion.
• Participate in the class discussion using the Forums area: post at least 2 comments, questions, or responses per unit.
• Respond to the assignment in each unit.
• Participate in at least 3 scheduled Zoom sessions throughout the course.
• Complete the course evaluation.

Time Expectations

4 to 6 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.

Course Certificate

A certificate of completion awarding 30 contact hours will be sent upon completion of all course requirements.