Fathers of Our Faith: Who Are the Early Church Fathers?
What you'll learn
- You will know how someone is identified as an Early Church Father
- You will understand why we call them "Early" Church Fathers and why historicity is important.
- You will understand why we call them Early "Church" Fathers, and what Church approval and orthodoxy really mean
- You will understand why we call them Early Church "Fathers"
- You will understand why we should study the Fathers of the Church
Requirements
- The course will make frequent references to Fathers of the Church, 3rd Edition by Mike Aquilina
- This is a non-academic spirituality course. Basic knowledge of Catholic doctrine is helpful but not necessary.
Description
How familiar are you with the Early Church Fathers? This course is designed for beginners who know very little (or nothing) about this important group of early saints.
Learn what qualifies someone to be called an "Early Church Father" (and what this term really means)
Learn why we honor this group of saints just because they lived in the first few centuries of the Church (it's not just because we like "old" things)
Learn what "Church approval" really means (it's probably not what you think)
Learn why it is important that the Early Church Fathers be orthodox, meaning that they teach correct doctrine (and why their orthodoxy is important for your relationship with Jesus)
Discover why we have an official title for "Early Church Fathers" but not "Early Church Mothers" (no, it's not because the Church is sexist)
Learn why it is important for us to know about the Early Church Fathers (why should you come to know them)
Who this course is for:
- This course is intended for believing Catholics - and other Christians open to a Catholic perspective on Church history and spirituality - who are looking to enhance their spirituality using the ancient wisdom that comes from the early Church.
- Please do not take this course if your intention is to debate Catholic doctrine.
Course content
- Preview07:06
- 5 questionsThe Fathers of the Church Introduction
Instructor
![Jeffrey S Arrowood](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.4 Instructor Rating
- 10 Reviews
- 43 Students
- 3 Courses
Jeff Arrowood is the founder of From the Abbey, a Catholic educational apostolate. From the Abbey helps Catholic adults rediscover the JOY of learning their faith so they can grow in intimacy with God. It offers online learning, home studies, and personalized help to bring you spiritual growth. Jeff also works with parishes to help them establish adult education systems based on research into how adults actually learn.
Jeff also works part-time for the Diocese of La Crosse Office of Marriage and Family Life as the diocesan Natural Family Planning Educator. He and his wife, Jodi, are both certified instructors for the SymptoPro online NFP course.
Of course, Jeff’s primary vocation is that of husband and father. He is a stay-home dad for his two children, Rachel and Dominic, of whom he would gladly show you pictures. He and his wife live and work in Somerset, Wisconsin, and are members of Saint Anne’s Catholic parish.
Jeff comes from an educational background. He holds a master’s of theological studies from the Institute for Pastoral Theology (currently out of Ava Maria University in Naples, Florida). He taught at a Catholic high school for 10 years, and has been giving adult educational programs for over 15 years. Jeff has a special love for Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Dominic and Saint Benedict, all of whom represent a dynamic, faith-filled intellectual life driven by a love of Christ.