History of Christianity
The History of Christianity area studies past theological reflection on the faith and practice of the Church, with a particular focus on early and medieval Christianity. This area strives to appreciate these theological expressions both within their immediate historical contexts (social, cultural, institutional) and within the broader trajectories of theological development in the Christian tradition.
Resources for History of Christianity
- Theological Exegesis in Early Christianity
- Augustine, City of God
- Priesthood, Celibacy, and Authority in Ancient Christianity
- The Pelagian Controversy
- Reading Romans in the Early Church: Origen to Augustine
- Early Christian Ascetical Theology
- Late Medieval Mystical Traditions
- Ressourcement in the Nouvelle théologie
- Victorine and Franciscan Theology in the High Middle Ages
- Medieval and Modern Trinitarian Theology
The Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium is a consortium of theology faculties primarily in the Boston-Newton-Cambridge area. This consortium offers complete cross-registration in several hundred courses, the use of library facilities in the nine schools, joint seminars and programs, and faculty exchange programs.
The Patristica Bostoniensa is a colloquium for faculty and graduate students of the Boston Theological Institute and other institutions in the greater Boston area. It meets on a regular basis for the presentation and discussion of the current research of the colloquium's members.
Students may take Graduate seminars in Boston College’s Philosophy Department (which is particularly strong in ancient philosophy) as well as in the Departments of Classics and History.
The Boston College Libraries have strong holdings especially in the early and medieval periods.
Summer language instruction is available at Boston College in French, German, and Latin. Syriac instruction is available through the Boston Theological Institute.
The Boston College Colloquy in Historical Theology (BCHT) meets annually in August for the presentation and discussion of lectures in Historical Theology. The Boston-Providence Patristics Group gathers local scholars several times each semester for discussion of a research paper.
Students seeking admission to the Ph.D. program with a research interest in History of Christianity should be developing both the linguistic skills and the areas of background knowledge necessary for such study. Those entering the program in this field normally have already begun to study either Greek or Latin, as well as at least one of the primary modern research languages (e.g., German or French). In addition, prospective students are expected to have done preparatory master’s level course work in subjects such as Christian history and theology, Biblical studies, ancient philosophy, and classical civilization. The writing sample submitted during application should demonstrate some familiarity with scholarly methods, theological argument, and the use of research languages.
- Year 1: Hannah Bruckner, Trevor Rickenbrode, Joshua Wong
- Year 2: Michael Dinsmore, Daniel Gustafson, SJ, Jonelle Weier
- Year 3: Jean-Paul Juge, Emily Turner
- Year 4: Dunstan Enzor, OSB
- Year 5: Austin Holmes, Katherine Kimball, Jordan Parro
- Year 6: Robin Landrith
Graduate Students
- Christopher McLaughlin
- Andrew Gertner Belfield
- John Kern
- Steven Surh
- Jordan Daniel Wood
- Jonathan Bailes
- Justin Shaun Coyle
- Sam Keyes
- Veronica Tierney
- Katie Wrisley Shelby
- Ty Monroe
- Clifton Stringer