The midterm paper will be between 1000-1250 words and will be written in a standard academic format (12pt font, Times New Roman, double spaced, etc). For this midterm, you will be asked to select two of the four prompts to write on. You’ll be asked to write approximately 500-600 words on each of the two prompts and will be evaluated according to the thoroughness of understanding your writing demonstrates. Final drafts should be uploaded by 11:59pm.
Nota Bene (that’s Latin for “note this well!”) — It’s impossible to exhaust these topics in the number of words I’m asking you to write. There are scholars much more brilliant than I’ll ever be who have studied one or two of these topics for their entire careers. All I want you to do here is show me that you’ve engaged the reading material I’ve provided and thought critically about it. If you can do that, you’ll be in good shape!
If you have any questions, please reach out!
- Explain the influence that ancient Greek philosophy had on the formation of early Christian thought.
- Discuss the significance of the terms homoousios and homoiousios to the Arian controversy, including their use by different Arian groups.
- Discuss the Great Cappadocians – Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus – and the contributions they made to the theology of the Council of Nicea.
- Compare and contrast Augustine’s doctrines of sin and grace with that of Pelagius.