BOOK REVIEW: LEARNING THEOLOGY WITH THE CHURCH FATHERS

CHHI 520: History of Christianity I June 17, 2012

Learning Theology with the Church Fathers by Christopher A. Hall Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Press, 2002, 308 pp, $18.00 paperback.

Christopher A. Hall, provost of Eastern University as well as dean at its Templeton Honors College, has presented a compelling and outstanding work in his book Learning Theology with the Church Fathers. An intelligently well written treatise on key theological issues facing the early church as seen through the eyes of the church fathers, this book is the second book in a trilogy: Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers and Praying with the Church Fathers are the titles of the first and third books respectively.1 Halls purpose is to portray various doctrines from the viewpoint of one or two church fathers. Using this approach Hall covers several theological issues: Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Gods providence, the Human Condition, the Sacred Scriptures, and the Church. While the book is not an exhaustive discussion of Christian doctrine, the wisdom and insights of some of the early church fathers thoughts and ideas are passionately presented. Hall writes the book in a simplistic manner that analyzes each argument by doctrine. Hall presents both sides of every issue with the view that in the end the reader is left with making his own decision about what he chooses to believe. Reflecting back to the theological foundation of the Nicene Creed, Hall exhibits a progression of spirited debates that begin with the incarnation of Jesus and ends with the Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting. As Hall wrote in his preface, this book is designed to explain some of the most foundational Christian doctrines in a way that welcomes beginning learners yet at the same time not alienate the scholar. 2 Hall accomplishes this brilliantly throughout the book, but does it best in his coverage of, The Mystery and Wonder of the Trinity which also acts as a common thread

throughout the other chapters in the book. For this reason, this chapter is thoroughly examined in order to illustrate the thoughts and beliefs of the early church fathers as they struggled to find answers to probing questions that faced the early church. In this book review of Learning Theology with the Church Fathers my intentions are to show how the early church fathers as great theologians, set the foundation and architecture of our Christian faith. In the chapter titled The Mystery and Wonder of the Trinity, Hall introduces the views of two key fathers on the trinity: Gregory of Nazianzus and Augustine. Gregory begins by stating some preliminary warnings: only a pure heart can truly and fully understand the trinity, only a person molded and shaped by scripture can unfold it, and we can only approach God through the safeguard of his word. 3 With that being said, Gregory believes that God has planted reason with us and because that reason proceeds from God, we can be lead up to God through visible things and therefore gain some understanding of the trinity. Gregory summarizes the trinity in the following manner: The father is the begetter and the emitter without passion and without reference to time. The Son is the begotten and the Holy Spirit the emission. 4 In Gregorys eyes there was never a time when there was not a Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Gregory illustrates his point with an analogy using the sun and its rays. The rays source is the sun. Both the Sun and its rays came into existence at the same time. So like wise, the Son and The Spirit find their origin in the Father. Gregory explains his case by citing passages in the Gospel of John that identifies three separate lights yet one light: The Father comprehends out of light, the son is light and the Holy Spirit is in the light. 5 Yet, they are all light. Augustine, on the other hand, felt that everyone should have a foundational understanding of the Trinity. He is of the belief that understanding the Trinity is the core of salvation. In presenting his views on the Trinity, he goes immediately to the story of Jesus baptism by John in

the river Jordan. In this experience he states that one can clearly see the mystery of the Trinity being revealed. The Voice from heaven came from the father, the Man (Jesus) being baptized is the Son, and the Dove descending represents the Holy Spirit. 6 At first glance this may lead one to think that three separate gods are being represented. However, faith proclaims that there is only one God. In other words, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a Trinity inseparable; One God, not three Gods. Augustine reminds us that the Trinity acts in unity and yet separately. Augustine believes that we can understand divine realities by way of analogies, studying Gods creation for clues that lead beyond themselves. By sifting through creation we may find some resemblance, whereby we may prove that there are some three things which be exhibited as being both separate and yet inseparable in their work or operation. 7 Since humanity alone is created in the image of God what better place to turn for and answer than to human nature itself. Augustine illustrates his point by looking at the memory, the will, and understanding. As he looks closely at each of these aspects, he not only proves that they are inseparable but also interdependently linked to each other as well. He uses this analogy as an example to parallel the explanation of the Trinity. Augustine concludes that the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit may be shown separately in certain visible forms yet still be in their operations inseparable. 8 This chapter sample summary only gives a peak into the mindset of the early church fathers. As clearly demonstrated in this chapter and throughout the book, Hall focuses the central discussion around one or two church fathers. This allows for us to see clearly how the church fathers tackled the difficult topics about certain doctrines in their day. At the end of each chapter Hall summarizes their arguments in some detail and even quotes them when needed.

Other notable chapter events in Halls book include: Chapter 6 which gives insights into Irenaeus responses to the Gnostics about sin and grace, and arguments between Augustine and Pelagius that help show the development of belief concerning matters of will, and Chapters 7 and 8 which highlights Chrysostoms views on Providence as to why suffering exists, and forms a basis of belief as it relates to intention, motive and disposition to determine the free will of accepting Gods control. Overall, Hall has written a great introductory book that offers a good view of the early church fathers thinking on various Christian doctrines. Through each of the arguments and debates presented, one can clearly see how the early church fathers set the foundation and architecture of our Christian faith. From this book alone, Hall has planted the seeds of the early church fathers deeper and given all Christians a greater appreciation and solid understanding of patristic theology.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Hall, Christopher A. Learning Theology with the Church Fathers. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Intervarsity Press, 2002. [1] Hall 2002, 9 [2] Ibid., 12 [3] Ibid., 56 [4] Ibid., 61 [5] Ibid., 62 [6] Ibid., 73 [7] Ibid., 77 [8] Ibid., 79