Patristics and Christian Learning

In this course, Dr. Jordan Wood reviews what the New Testament and the earlier Christian writers up through Augustine and Maximus the Confessor have to say about education. He frames the course by introducing the tension between divine and human wisdom that is present in creation. He then moves in chronological order from the first Christian apologists including Justin Martyr up through Augustine and Maximus with a focus on their concept of all creation as a school for teaching divine wisdom. We have also framed this course on patristics and Christian learning with two conversations between Dr. Jordan Wood and Michael Hornbaker where they discuss some practical applications as teachers considering the “how” of getting their students to pursue wisdom. Please note that this intro conversation and lesson five below are both available as free preview content.

Jordan Daniel Wood holds a PhD in Historical Theology (Boston College), an MA in Historical Theology (Saint Louis University) and a BA in Theology (Ozark Christian College). His book The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus Confessor is available from Notre Dame Press (2022). Jordan has taught at the college and high school level and is currently working on two other translation projects (including Maximus’s letters) and a couple of new books.

Earn a ClassicalU certificate upon completion of this course.