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JAMES W. FOGAL
AUBURN, AL
OCTOBER 12, 2013
INTRODUCTION
The doctrine of God is a major part of Christian theology. Such belief impacts aspects of
how people live their life. Thus, this is an important doctrine to be taught within Christian
churches. This brief essay exam will cover several issues. It will discuss the top three issues
relating to the doctrine of God that evangelical Christians need to address in the church and in
the academy. Within these several pages, a rationale for the above will be stated. In addition,
two to three books that I plan to read will be listed and discussed. Lastly, any actions that I plan
to take in response to this class will be discussed.
Charles Freeman, A.D. 381: Heretics, Pagans and the Dawn of the Monotheistic State (New
York: Overlook Press, 2009).
In this book, Charles Freeman writes about the events surrounding the Council of Constantinople
in A.D. 381 in which the Nicene Creed was finalized. This creed provided a major statement that
forever influenced the development of the doctrine of the Trinity. To truly understand the
development of this important doctrine of God, it is important to understand the events that
surrounded the Council.
Hubertus R. Drobner, The Fathers of the Church: A Comprehensive Introduction (Peabody, MA:
Hendrickson, 2007).
This 600-page treatise provides an overview of the church fathers and the literature they wrote.
It is these men who God used to develop the creeds that were the foundation of modern
systematic theology. Such a work will help to expand my understanding of the important people
and literature important to be education about this important creative period of theological
formation.
Peter J. Leithart, Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of
Christendom (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010).
This book discusses the issues involved in the development of the Nicene Creed and the doctrine
of the Trinity. Roman Emperor Constantine was a pivotal figure in the early church and was the
reason for the calling of the Nicene Council. It is asserted that this book sheds new light upon
the important emperor.
CONCLUSION
This course was helpful in that it provided an opportunity to study in more depth the
Trinity, the existence and attributes of God. I included three books that will be read during the
next year and sermons are planned for the upcoming year that will introduce concepts from this
class. The class was a useful academic exercise to help deepen my understanding of God.