Learning Theology with the Church Fathers: The Clarity of Scripture

by Christopher A. Hall

The early church fathers were great theologians--though they did not think of themselves as such. They were working pastors, involved in the daily life and leadership of their congregations. Yet they were wrestling with many of the great and formative questions of the Christian faith, such as the Trinity, the incarnation, the providence of God and the nature of the church. These beliefs were defined in the crucible of spiritual leadership, pastoral care and theological conflict, all set against the background of the great cultural movements and events of their day. For the church fathers, theology was a spiritual exercise woven into the texture of life. What would it be like to sit under the preaching and instruction of these great men, to look over their shoulders as they thought and wrote, or to hear them debate theological issues? Learning Theology with the Church Fathers offers us that experience. With the same insight and love of his subject that he brought to Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, Christopher A. Hall opens the door on patristic theology. Focusing on the great questions, we view these issues in their settings and find greater appreciation for the foundations and architecture of our Christian faith.

Genres: Theology, Church History, Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, History, Christianity

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Christopher A. Hall (PhD, Drew University) is chancellor of Eastern University and dean of Palmer Theological Seminary in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, and has authored a number of books. He is an editor at large for Christianity Today and associate editor of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series.

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful overview of various doctrines through the eyes of multiple early church fathers.

[Tanja Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in a series about the church fathers, this one tackles theological topics such as the nature of the Trinity, the nature of Jesus as begotten not made, the roles of scripture and the Church, sin and grace, and God’s providence in the face of evil and disaster and disease. While written by an evangelical scholar, this feels less influenced by that bias than the first book in the series, Reading Scripture With the Church Fathers.

It does take concentration, as this is written more for theology students than the general public, but well worth the effort.

[Warner Litrenta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hall does an excellent job of conveying the value of studying the results of many hard-fought theological battles of the early church. The steady stream of applicable and current wisdom from modern authors has left many Christians forgetting the value of the patristics who worked to give us the foundation of our faith. Augustine, John Chrysostom, and Basil number among those who still have much to contribute to the faith, and Hall's synthesis of their arguments is cogent and direct.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in Mr. Hall’s four volume introduction to the church fathers and I liked this book very much. The book is an introduction to the theology of the church fathers and rather than take a topic—Providence for instance—and sort of survey what they all thought on Providence, Mr. Hall does a deep dive into just one church father and their understanding of Providence. I liked this approach.

I especially enjoyed the chapters on Providence—a deep dive into John Chrysostom’s book, On Providence. I find Chrysostom the most readable of all the church fathers and his approach to Providence is a little different than John Piper’s book, Providence, which I just read, so this made for interesting reading.

I also found the chapter on inspiration and the scriptures fascinating as he goes deeply into Irenaeus’ views on the matter. The reason this makes for good reading is that Irenaeus wrote in the second century and so the doctrine of inspiration and the canon was not yet fully formed. We get to watch as Irenaeus explains what books were accepted as scripture in his day and why they were accepted as such, knowing how the whole issue would eventually be formulated by the church as a whole. It’s a compelling example of how the early church wrestled with theological issues.

A good book. I’m looking forward to reading his third book Praying with the Church Fathers.

[Kelly Zens · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this work, Hall is attempting to trace the history of orthodox theology through the Church Fathers. His purpose is threefold: to broaden the reader’s perspective thereby guarding against extremes in theology, to introduce the reader to the deep thought processes of the Church Fathers creating an appreciation for their legacy, and to encourage the reader to contemplate and focus on the heart of Christian truth. Hall does this by first introducing a definition of a Church Father. He defines a Father as one who leaves behind a body of work composed of orthodox teaching and who is also approved by the larger Christian Church. Hall defines orthodox as consistent with apostolic teaching as known through Scripture. He then proceeds to develop specific doctrinal ideas through the writings of two or more Church Fathers rather than summarizing all the ideas of a particular Father. He does this in a progressive way. So the foundation of Christ’s divinity is laid by discussing Athanasius’ response to Arius before the Trinity is explored through the writings of Gregory of Nazianzus and Augustine. In the same way, the humanity and divinity of Christ is necessarily examined before Augustine’s doctrine of original sin.
The development of orthodox thought is shown as responses to specific heresies. For instance, Irenaeus’ response to the Gnostics is later developed by Augustine’s response to Pelagius and so on throughout the book. This makes for very interesting reading while also giving the reader a proper context for the Father’s thought.
Hall fulfills his first purpose to broaden readers’ perspective and help them guard against extremes throughout the book. Chapter Ten typifies his excellent work in this regard. Irenaeus’ definition of the Church followed by Cyprian’s discussion of unity and Augustine’s idea of the Church as permixta ecclesia are timely for today’s Christians. Modern churches suffer from low attendance partly because these ideas are not widely understood.
While Chapter Ten represents Hall’s excellent work, Chapter Six shows that his approach sometimes fails to meet his purpose. Chapter Six deals with Augustine’s response to Pelagius in defining the affect of sin on the will and the role of grace in salvation. Because Hall limits himself to the Church Fathers, the latter doctrinal developments through John Cassian and Faustus (bishop of Rhegium), Caesarius (bishop of Arles), the Council of Orange, and the endorsement of Pope Boniface in 531 are not covered. This leaves the reader with the impression that Augustine’s views are moderate. Church history proves this to be inaccurate as Pelagius and Augustine represent two extremes. The more moderate view approved at the Council or Orange and endorsed by Pope Boniface prevailed. Rather than guarding against extremes, here Hall’s approach promotes Augustine’s extreme view with no qualification or clarifying history.
Hall’s second purpose of creating appreciation for the Fathers legacy by introducing the reader to their work is fully met throughout the book. Hall presents the high thoughts of the Fathers in his excellent prose. This is illustrated by John Chrysostom’s two-part answer to the problem of evil presented in Chapters Seven and Eight. Chrysotom holds that it is impossible to see the providence of God throughout history without embracing the truth of God’s love. In acknowledging that God cannot act in any way other than one of love, Christians are able to see God’s work in history and in their lives. Further Chrysostom differentiates between suffering and harm. Christians can only experience harm when their passions are not trained to respond to God correctly or they engage in sin. Interestingly Chrysostom’s answer to the question of evil is consistent with the testimony of Christians facing persecution. It is consistent with Corrie Ten Boom’s famous response to suffering: “There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still.” This daring response seems to anticipate Alvin Plantinga’s defense of basic beliefs. When combined with Plantinga’s defense, it is a very powerful answer to the problem of evil.
Hall’s third purpose to cause readers to contemplate and focus on the heart of Christian truth was fulfilled beautifully in Chapters One through Five. He did an excellent job of showing that the resolution to many different theological issues came from remaining true to the apostolic teaching of the gospel as passed down in Scripture. It was scriptural truth that caused correct thinking about Jesus, the Trinity and the Holy Spirit. But again, Hall’s method of tracing orthodoxy through the Church Fathers is at cross-purposes with his goal of focusing on Christian truth.
Chapter Four covers the conflict between Cyril and Nestorius. It does a wonderful job explaining the theological positions. However, it leaves out the Council of Ephesus and the compromise creed promulgated by John of Antioch. It even omits the fact that the current orthodox view of Christ’s nature is not Cyril’s one nature, but Nestorius’ duality of natures. Hall does not comment on the fact that Nestorius anticipated the problem of Mariolatry that plagues the Catholic Church. What does Christianity do when the heretic is right? And who is correct about the nature of Christ? Is Cyril with his brilliant exegesis of the one nature of Christ correct or is the compromise creed that recognizes Nestorius’ explanation of the dual nature as orthodox truly scriptural? Hall chooses not to comment. This approach does not lead to focusing on Christian truth.
While this book’s approach sometimes undermines the author’s purposes for writing it, this is truly an excellent book. The interaction between heretic and Father is interesting. The doctrines are progressively laid out in a clear manner. The entire book is written beautifully. Anyone who reads this book cannot help but be edified by it. I highly recommend this book to people who want to deepen their faith.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice coverage of theological teachings of several Church Fathers. If you are already familiar with the early history of the Catholic Church, chapters 6-8 and 11 are most worth your time and the rest can be skipped. If you're unfamiliar with Catholic theology then likely the whole work is worth the read. Mr. Hall's style is very laid back yet detailed and in-depth at times which makes it a nice introduction to the Fathers and their theology.

Much of the book is also very repetitive and could be shortened, but it is all good content.

[Luke Schmeltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Hall sets out to meaningfully exposit major topics of Christian theology in light of major theological characters of the early Church. Walking through topics like anthropology, soteriology, Christology, and eschatology with the men whose writing shaped the theological landscape of their day was refreshing, informative, and challenging. If you're a believer looking to cut your teeth on the teaching of the saints who came before us, this book is a great place to start!

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hall's volume is a really helpful introduction to those who desire to have a historically rooted theology. He cites the most prominent voices on a range of chronologically appropriate theological questions (no trying to make patristics evangelical or Protestant here). It is written with an almost pastoral voice, which is only heightened in his other volumes.

[Caleb Stechschulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid overview of early church theology, with good insight into various topics that the church fathers had important teachings on.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

the early chapters especially are clear, easy introductions to the thoughts of the church fathers on theological topics

[Tom Greentree · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important survey. Reminds me of how crucial it is to keep anchored back in our theological tradition, especially in the first few centuries of Christian faith.

[Peter Coleman]

Hundreds of years and thousands of miles separate the twenty-first century American Christian from the world of the early church. This distance can leave one with a feeling of estrangement from the early church fathers, wondering if these men have any relevance for life today. Christopher A. Hall (Th.M. Regent College, Ph.D. Drew University) hopes to lead his readers to overcome that disconnectedness in a trilogy concerning the church Fathers .

In the second volume, Learning Theology with the Church Fathers, Hall uses his experience as dean of Templeton Honors college, an academic background of historical theology, and writing experience including co-editing the Ancient Christian Commentary on the Scriptures Series, co-authoring one of the volumes of that series and a comparison ancient and post-modern Christianity to bring the reader intimacy with the church fathers that helps close in the vast distance.

The organization of the book follows ten doctrines that received attention from who Hall calls the eight great doctors of the church. Each treatment includes comments from one or more of these fathers on the doctrine. While the summary is not exhaustive in either doctrinal scope or by including every early church writing on the subject, Hall focuses on key authors on each subject, particularly those involved in the controversies out of which many of these doctrines arose.

The key advantage of this approach is the leverage of hermeneutical proximity, which Hall uses to describe the fathers’ closeness to the language and worldview of the scriptures. The effect on contemporary students would be to help highlight what has been introduced into current theological conceptions from foreign sources such as secular philosophies and also to draw one closer to the center of the gospel, dismissing the peripheral subjects that often serve only to distract from the heart of the Christian message.

The book has an appeal to several types of students. Students of church history will find an enlightening presentation of the theological discussions involved in many of the early church’s doctrinal controversies. Readers can here find themselves in the mêlée of polemic between Athanasius and Arius and between Augustine and Pelagius. Hall, focusing on the theology, doesn’t spend much time discussing events surrounding the controversy or official conciliar decisions, but his exposition of the contrasting theological positions will give the church history student a fuller understanding of why the issues were so important.

The theology student, on the other hand, may appreciate the historical theological perspective. It can be easy to get lost within systematic approaches to theology and forget the genesis of many doctrines. So, the theology student has the joy of seeing many of Christianity’s most treasured doctrines in their nascent state, watching the grainy 35-millimeter film, as it were, of the doctrines of the trinity and Christ’s divinity taking their first steps.

While that synchronic view is appreciated, Hall also exposits diachronic issues. The theology student may find interest in comparing differences between the views of the church fathers on issues like ecclesiology or eschatology and his or her own views. One example is of the great difference of what is understood by Cyprian’s description of the church as mother.

One need not be an academic to appreciate Hall’s work. The post-modern worldview searches for narrative and Hall invites the reader to become part of the narrative of the Christianity by bridging the gap between the reader and the ancients. He speaks with a pastoral tone at many points, not allowing the doctrines to be without relevance to the modern reader. Hall asks what significance the words of Athanasius might have for Susan, a woman whose story Hall tells. He also relates Chrysostom’s notions of providence to the struggles that every Christian today faces.

So, for not only the reader in the seminary dorm room, but for every Christian, Hall brings an intimacy with the great doctors of the church, letting them speak to us today with theological insight and pastoral concern. Learning Theology with the Church Fathers is an excellent volume for the benefit for the entire church, which rests on the foundations that those fathers laid down for us so many centuries ago, so far away.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction for Western/evangelicals Christians. The author allows the fathers plenty of room to speak and offers a very good selection of fathers for his book. I would definitely suggest this for anyone completely oblivious as to who the Church Fathers were or for someone just being introduced to patristics and looking for a starter before diving into the actual patristic literature. The fathers offer us their wisdom and their experience from following Christ so we don't have to reinvent the wheel every new generation.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an overview of the theological insights of the early church fathers, written by an evangelical. The authors covers topics related to the Trinity and the Divinity of Christ and shows how various Church fathers approached each topic. He also provides an interesting overview of the controversies surrounding each topic at the time.

[Adam Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, and clear, introduction to the central theological teachings of the Church fathers, covering all the major bases. The book is very well written and helpfully shows in many cases how understanding what the Fathers wrote can help us apply theology to the practical living of our current age.

[Josh Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Great arrangement of thoughts and topics for an informative read.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to the fathers and encouraging to see them working out bedrock issues for the church--the Trinity, Scripture, sin, resurrection.

[Leonardo Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive...great
...

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second volume of Christopher Hall's trilogy of Church Fathers books- the first being Reading the Scriptures with the Church Fathers which I reviewed last month. In this volume, Dr. Hall examines how the Church Fathers dealt with the theological connundra of their age as a way to illuminate how to think about theology. Like the previous volume, Dr. Hall makes an effort to connect patristic thought to modern theological concerns in an illuminating way.

The strength of this volume is both Dr. Hall's comprehensive grasp of the Fathers and treatises featured in this volume as well as his ability to explain what are really complex theological ideas in a clear form. The combination makes this a fascinating introduction into patristic thought which compels further study. This volume covers many of the most important authors- Augustine, Basil, Irenaeus, Gregory of Nazianzus, John Chrysosthom and many more- and the classic treatises on the theological themes featured. These themes are among the most difficult concepts in Christian theology ranging from Christological and Trinatarian concerns to the the doctrine of the church, providence and the resurrection. That makes this an important study, especially for those studying theology in general. Dr. Hall's project is to call theologians back ad fontes and he does that in a compelling way in this volume, just like the first volume in the set.

Of course, we are dealing with very complex theology in this volume, so it is important to take this book slowly and carefully. I know my head twists into three different kinds of pretzels when I try to figure out Trinitarian theology, so I needed to only read a short passage a day or I'd lose the thread. Take this volume slowly, but do read it because it really will illuminate your way theologically.

[Zecchaeus Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just looked at a chapter which focuses on connection points between Orthodox and Pentecostals. It confirmed that there are similarities between the two traditions that are not as emphasized in most Western traditions.