Choose one of the options below and write a 4-5 page paper addressing the prompt. You are free to limit
the topic as you see fit, focusing on whatever aspects of the texts that you wish—provided that you follow
the directions for the option you choose, how you define your focus is less important than that you do a
thorough analysis.
Evagris of Pontus, before moving to Jerusalem and from there to the Egyptian desert, was ordained a
deacon by Gregory of Nazianzus and spent several years with him, including two or three with Gregory at
Constantinople, while Gregory was bishop. In your paper, consuider Evagrius’s Great Letter (available on
Canvas) and Gregory’s Third Theological Oration (in CLA). What similarities in thought do they show?
What differences? Do they seem to suggest the two writers share the same theology? You may focus your
paper on any aspect of the two texts you wish.
Option 2) Priscillian, born in Spain in 345, lived only 40 years, but during that time, he managed to become
quite a controversial figure. Though not the source of the main controversy around him, the text On Faith
and Apocrypha (in CLA) has a novel approach to the creation of an approved set of writings for Christians.
What was special about Priscillian’s idea of what Christians should read? How did he argue for that idea?
You might find it useful to compare the approaches of Augustine (On Christian Doctrine) or Athanasius
(Easter Letter 39), in their works which appear immediately before and after Priscillian’s text in our
textbook.
Sample Solution
