patristicsn.
/pəˈtrɪstɪks/, U.S. /pəˈtrɪstɪks/ Christian Church.
The study of the lives, doctrines, and writings of the Fathers of the Church, esp. as a branch of theology.
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society > faith > aspects of faith > patristics > [noun]
patrology1571
patristics1847
1847 C. W. Buch tr. K. R. Hagenbach Compend. Hist. Doctr. I. 7 The distinction made by some writers,..between Patristics [Ger. Patristik] and Patrology, appears to us..unfounded.
1850 Harper's Mag. Sept. 511/1 His various writings in the departments of Ecclesiastical History, Biography, Patristics, and Dogmatics.
1884 P. Schaff et al. Relig. Encycl. III. 1765 Patristics and Patrology are the names of that department of theology..concerning the lives, writings, and theological doctrines of the Church Fathers.
1929 Jrnl. Philos. 26 616 Preparatory work..is required, including medieval Latin, history of the primitive and medieval church, Greek and medieval philosophy, and patristics.
1952 E. Alexander in E. Jackh Background of Middle East viii. 71 The Orient..has to its credit..the gigantic accomplishments of Greek patristics.
1987 R. Eisler Chalice & Blade (1988) ix. 130 Whosoever investigates the early history of Christianity (the field called ‘patristics’—that is, study of ‘the fathers of the church’) will be prepared for..the gospel of Thomas.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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