New Theological College, Dehradun

Patristic period and Medieval period

By Ms. Elizabeth Phungchamnao (MTh 1)

Submitted to

Dr. Santhosh J. Sahayadoss

In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Course

Deadline for Submission: July 19, 2025 Date of Submission: July 19, 2025
Expected word Count: Actual Word count: 1767

I declare that this research paper is my own independent work, I have not copied or plagiarized
from any person, article, book, website or any other of storage. Every idea or phrase that is not
my own has been duly acknowledge.
Content
Introduction
1. The Patristic period (100-500 CE)
1.1. Influential theologians and their contribution
1.2. Challenges of the period
2. Medieval Period (500-1500)
2.1. Influential theologian and their contribution
2.2. Challenges of the Period
3. The upshot of the Patristic and the Medieval period
Conclusion
Bibliography

1
 Introduction
In this paper “Patristic and the Medieval period,” a briefly discussion on their
terminology, dates and some of the influential theologian of all time will be presented, along
with their iconic contribution in those times.
The periods are clouded by different challenges and controversy, leading to the formation
of the Christian theology or doctrine. A pinched of those events are explore, and its outlook
which shook the Christendom, “The Great Schism.” With a concluding remark on the period.

2
 1. THE PATRISTIC PERIOD (100-500 CE)
The term Patristic derives from the Latin word “Pater” “father”1 this is the era where
formulation of the Christian doctrine took place, beginning from the apostolic age till the end
of the middle age/ medieval period, distinguished by their teaching, writings, and debates
among the bishops or scholar of the church.2
1.1.Influential Theologian and their contribution
Athanasius of Alexandria (296-373), Athanasius was the chief opponent of Arianism, his
main argument was for the incarnation of Christ. He firmly defended the divinity of Christ, by
arguing that, if the Son is not truly God, then the salvation plan of God the Father is impossible.
3
He asserted, “the spirit, who is said to be from God, belongs to the being of the son…. just as
the son belongs to the being of the father because he is from the father”4
The Cappadocian fathers (Basil the Great (330-379 c), Gregory of Nyssa (c.335-c.395),
and Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329-390 c),5 the Cappadocian fathers, especially the Gregory of
Nyssa and Nazianzus, they bring forth an objection against the Arianism presentation on
Trinity, ‘Homoousios’, (of like Substance), by presenting one ‘Ousia’ (essence) and hypostases
(persons) in God, they are eternal and are identical in nature.6 The Cappadocian contributed
much in the formation of Trinitarian doctrine.
Tertullian (155-240)7 was first the first person to termed ‘Trinity’.8 He defended against
the heretics, against doctrinal error regarding the issue of trinity and the divinity of the son. He
presented, the trinity as one substance and three persons also he presented the son as one person
two nature, the humanity and divinity of the son.9

1
Alister E. Mc Grath, Historical Theology: An introduction to the History of Christian Thought. 2nd
edition. (UK: Wiley-Blackwell : A John Wiley & sons: Ltd, Publication, 2023), 17.
2
Alan Richardson and John Bowden, A New Dictionary of Christian Theology (London : SCM Press,
1983), 431.
3
Logan F Donald, A History of the Church in the Middle Ages. (New York : Routledge, 2012), 168-
170.
4
E. Edward Siecienski, The Filioque : History of a Doctrinal Controversy (New York: Oxford
University Press, 2010), 38.
5
Alister E. Mc Grath, Historical Theology: An introduction to the History of Christian thought, 55-57.
6
William G Rusch, The Trinitarian Controversy. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2013),18 & 19.
7
James Leonard Papandrea, Reading the Early Church Fathers: From the Didache to Nicaea (New
Jersy : Paulist Press, 2012), 69.
8
Jaroslav Pelikan, Development of Christian Doctrine: Some Historical prolegomena (London: Yale
University Press, 1969), 55.
9
Justo L. González, The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation. Vol.
1, (New York: Harperone, 2010), 105-106.

3
Tertullian was known for his writing ‘Apology’, where he addressed to the Roman empire, of
the injustice and persecution done to the innocent Christian, explaining about the life and
worship of Christian.10
1.2.Challenges of the Period
In Roman province Latin and Greek are the common language spoken, it is also a place
where it is believed that Christianity had its origin. During the period Christianity were much
persecuted, being rumor as the religion of atheism, cannibalism and they misunderstood the
love feats in sextual term. In 312, Constantine was converted into Christianity leading to the
upliftment of the persecution of the Christianity. 11 Lot of things happen in the patristic period
giving a tense situation and also leading to different ecumenical council.
First Council of Nicaea (325), with the rise in differences in doctrinal ideas, the first
universal meeting was called to solved the problem of Christ divinity doctrinal issues in the
church.12 The council, marked the unique beginning of the doctrinal formulation. In this
council, the Arianism controversy on the nature of Christ was brought in. Aruis presented that,
the son is the first created being, he was born of human and was adopted by the father because
of his merit work, there was a time when he was not divine. He is lesser than the father. The
sonship by adoption does not bring forth into participation in the divinity, he is different from
the father.13 God’s essence cannot be share, divided and is changeless.14
To defend the full divinity of Christ, Athanasius presented an explanation, that the Son of
God is incarnated, he is “begotten, not made” and is “of one substance” (homoousios) not “of
like substance”. (homoiousios). 15 Hundreds of bishops gather together to condemned the Arian
heresy and they were successful, as a result the creed of Synod of Nicaea was written on June
19, 325.16
First council of Chalcedon (451 A.D),17 even though the divinity of the son was affirmed,
another doctrinal debate peeps in, The debate on Trinity. The heresies, Sabellianism presented

10
Roger E. Olson, The Story of Christian Theology : Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform (Illinois:
Intervarsity Press, 1999), 93.
11
Alister E. Mc Grath, Christian History : An Introduction (Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013), 40-
43.
12
Alister E. Mc Grath, Historical Theology, 139.
13
MSGR Louis Duchesne, Early History of the Christian Church: From its foundation to the end of the
fifth century, Vol 2 (NA: Lex De Leon Publishing, 2003), 78.
14
James Leo Garrett, Systematic Theology. Vol. 1(Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1990), 275.
15
Daniel L Migliore. Faith Seeking Understanding : An Introduction to Christian Theology. 3rd ed.,
(Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014), 175.
16
William G Rusch, The Trinitarian Controversy, 14.
17
Danniel L Migliore, Faith seeking understanding, 176.

4
the trinity as modes or aspects,18 God is one person, they manifest in different times in different
mode, father in the creation, the law giver, son the same God incarnate to redeem and Holy
Spirit, the same God in the work regeneration and sanctification.19
Tritheism, denies the unity of the father, son and the Holy Spirit. They present that they are
separate god having same unity of purpose and endeavor.20 The Cappadocian father, Augustine
of Hippo, Athanasius etc, raise to defend the heretic teaching, ‘three relation’ rather than ‘three
emphasis being/person.’‘Homoousios’, (of like Substance), by presenting one ‘Ousia’
(essence) and hypostases (persons) in God.21
2. MEDIEVAL PERIOD (500-1500)
The term “medieval” and “middle age” are used interchangeably, it is the period where
changes took place from ancient to modern. Medieval is refer to the western where, for the
eastern “Byzantine” is used.22
2.1.Influential Theologian and their contribution
Anselm of Cannterbury (1033-1109), he presented an argument on the existence of God
through ontological argument. One of his iconic writing, “Incarnation of the Word”.23
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), he was popularly known for his work “Summa Theologiae”
(Summary of the Theologia), combined Christian theology with the Aristotle philosophy.24
William of Ockham (1285-1347), He gives much interest in the divine omnipotence, giving
much importance to the divine will over the divine intellect.25
2.2. Challenges of the period.
During the middle age, corruption of the church takes it journey, leading to different
controversy. Iconoclastic (idol worship) people began to worship image Mary, pope, saints,
Christ, apostles much influence of heathen worship.26

18
John Isherwood, A History of Christian Unity: Digging out the Embedded Chuch. 2nd ed.,
(Manchester, UK: Maranatha community, 2010), 31.
19
Henry Clarence Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans,
2001), 90.
20
Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, 90.
21
J N D Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines (London: Harper Collins, 1978), 258-272.
22
Alister E. Mc Grath, Historical Theology, 78 & 79.
23
Roger E Olson, The Story of Christian Theology, 94-98.
24
NA, Medieval Theologians, ed. G.R Evans, (Australia: Blackwell, 2001), 201 & 208-209.
25
Alister E. Mc Grath, Christian History : An Introduction, 92.
26
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of theology (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989), 433-434.

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 Predestination (election), Lord’s supper (using of leaven or unleavened bread, actual
presence of Christ body and blood or in remembrance) monasticism (celibacy or living a
spiritual discipline, prayerful life), rise in scholasticism, (Rise of schools and university),
Papacy, contributing to the division of the east and the west empire.27
3. THE UPSHOT OF THE PATRISTIC AND MEDIEVAL PERIOD
The division of the church and politics, between the east and the west happen only after 5th
century yet the differences in cultural and intellectual has already taken its root hundred years
back.28
Seven (7) ecumenical council were held at different time on different issues before the
division of the East and the West. It was when the controversy regarding “Filioque” “and the
son” Thomas argue that the truth is already present that the Holy spirit proceeds from the father,
not others.29At the council of Toledo (589 A.D) the phrase “and the son” was added to the
Nicene creed.30 Thus, in 1054, “The Great Schism” broke out, the church in the Western part
become the Roman Catholic (Latin) and the Eastern part becomes Eastern orthodox. By the
end and beginning of the eight century and ninth century, both the kingdom had developed
their own doctrine and theology.31

27
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 433-440.
28
Jaroslav Pelikan, The Christiann Tradition, 37.
29
Jaroslav Pelikan, Development of Christian Doctrine, 121.
30
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 434.
31
Olson Roger E. The story of Christian theology, 278-290.

6
 Conclusion
The patristic and the medieval period leaves a legendary legacy for the Christian. The
fundamental theology of Christian doctrine foundation was laid in this period. Not only does
they laid the foundation, they also have set an example of unwavering faith to our creator, lots
and lots of heresies and cults teaching clouded the period yet they were not only being able to
defend for themselves but also the people from the heresies and cults influences, by standing
firm to the word of God, defending the faith, presenting the truth. Their faith was never opposed
by reasoning, they never waver, they stood still.
Not only does they defend and introduce apologetics, but they have shown the
importance of community, church coming together in prayer and fasting, taking decision as a
whole, they have portrait a good example of unity in faith.

7
 Bibliography
Garrett, James Leo. Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 1990.
González, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation. Vol.1.
New York: Harperone, 2010.
Isherwood, John . A History of Christian Unity: Digging out the Embedded Church. 2nd ed.,
Manchester: Maranatha community, 2010.
Kelly, J N D. Early Christian Doctrines. London: Harper Collins, 1978.
Logan, F. Donald. A History of the Church in the Middle Ages. New York: Routledge, 2012.
Mcgrath, Alister E. Christian History : An Introduction. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.
Mcgrath, Alister Edgar. Historical Theology : An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought.
Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.
Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding : An Introduction to Christian Theology. 3rd ed.,
Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014.
NA. Medieval Theologians. Edited by G.R Evans, Australia: Blackwell, 2001.
Olson, Roger E. The Story of Christian Theology : Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform. Illinois:
Intervarsity Press, 1999.
Papandrea, James Leonard. Reading the Early Church Fathers: From the Didache to Nicaea. New
Jersey: Paulist Press, 2012.
Pelikan, Jaroslav. Development of Christian Doctrine. London: Yale University Press,1969.
Richardson, Alan, and John Bowden. A New Dictionary of Christian Theology. London : SCM Press,
1983.
Rusch, William G. The Trinitarian Controversy. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2013.
Siecienski, Edward. The Filioque : History of a Doctrinal Controversy. Editorial: Oxford, New York:
Oxford University Press, 2010.
Thiessen, Clarence Henry. Lectures in Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Mi, Eerdmans, michigan,
2001.