THEO7059 · Theology

Reading Romans in the Early Church

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

St. Pauls Epistle to the Romans has been a central text in the history of Christian theology. This seminar will take a close look at a series of early Christian commentaries on Romans from Origen of Alexandria in the 3 rd century to Augustine of Hippo and Theodoret of Cyrrhus in the 5 th century. Key themes to be covered include: the relation of Jews and Gentiles, justification by faith, the law of nature and the Torah, the problem of sin and salvation, and the place of political authority. Additional commentators to be examined: Ambrosiaster, John Chrysostom, and Pelagius.