The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This is the fundamental historical fact and it changes everything. Among other consequences, it changes the nature and significance of history and historical research in comparison to experimental science.
Many people, both Christians and non-Christians, do not think much about the consequences of this, for various reasons. And, of course many folks do not consider it to be a historical fact at all. However, IF it is a historical fact, then it certainly warrants very careful consideration and has wide-ranging implications.
This course will be studying Christian reflection on this fact during the period from Saint Athanasius through Pope Saint Gregory — roughly the 4th, 5th and 6th centuries in the Christian calendar. The previous posting, from Dec. 11th, lists the texts we will be using.