Synopses & Reviews
This popular introduction to the history of Christian thought has been thoroughly revised and expanded for a second edition. It features substantial new material, including additional coverage of orthodox theology, the Holy Spirit, and medieval mysticism, alongside new sections on liberation, feminist, and Latino theologies, as well as on the global spread of Christianity.
Covering the entire history of Christian thought, this textbook provides all the material needed for a broad understanding of Christian theological development, from the earliest days of the Church Fathers right up to the present day. The book is ordered into four distinct periods, the Patristic period, the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Reformation and post-Reformation, and the modern period, addressing the key ideas, processes and people in each. Readers are encouraged to interact with the material through case studies and study questions at the end of each section which explore central themes, and primary texts are included to facilitate deeper understanding of the issues discussed. A set of comprehensive glossaries encompass theologians, theological developments, and important words, names, and phrases.Meeting the demand for a vibrant, chronological historical treatment of the subject, this authoritative and accessible volume is a welcome new edition of a bestselling textbook. Additional resources to support the book are available at www.wiley.com/go/mcgrath.
Review
“Praise for the previous edition”
"This approach is very well-pitched for the intended readership, particularly those who are teaching themselves. Historical Theology is an excellent resource, both for the teacher and student." Morwenna Ludlow, St John's College, Oxford
"Perhaps for the first time an expansive and ecumenical survey of Christian Theology has been produced that can be read with the same ease as a serious but gripping novel... This book will serve as an invaluable tool: it locates theological innovation and controversy in its context-specific situation." G.W.P. McFarlane, London Bible College
“Useful in undergraduate courses, as well as in introductory seminary ones. McGrath’s prose is clear and precise. He is very good at articulating distinctions between concepts ... Historical Theology would be a valuable reference book to have in one’s library ... As one already hooked on historical theology, this reader found her interest renewed and expanded numerous times by McGrath’s book.” The Journal of Religion (of the previous edition)
Review
“HISTORICAL THEOLOGY is a great book for seminary students or any just interested in theology. McGrath covers a lot of material in a relatively short book, and he keeps it interesting throughout." (
Tom-farr.blogspot.com, 1 August 2013)
Synopsis
Freshly updated for this second edition with considerable new material, this authoritative introduction to the history of Christian theology covers its development from the beginnings of the Patristic period just decades after Jesus's ministry, through to contemporary theological trends.
- A substantially updated new edition of this popular textbook exploring the entire history of Christian thought, written by the bestselling author and internationally-renowned theologian
- Features additional coverage of orthodox theology, the Holy Spirit, and medieval mysticism, alongside new sections on liberation, feminist, and Latino theologies, and on the global spread of Christianity
- Accessibly structured into four sections covering the Patristic period, the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the reformation and post-reformation eras, and the modern period spanning 1750 to the present day, addressing the key issues and people in each
- Includes case studies and primary readings at the end of each section, alongside comprehensive glossaries of key theologians, developments, and terminology
- Supported by additional resources available on publication at www.wiley.com/go/mcgrath
About the Author
Alister E. McGrath is the Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion & Culture at King's College London, having previously been Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford. He is one of the world's leading Protestant theologians and has long been involved in theological education. McGrath is also the author of some of the most widely used theology textbooks, including the bestselling Christian Theology: An Introduction (2010, Wiley-Blackwell), now in its fifth edition. He is in constant demand as a speaker at conferences throughout the world.
Table of Contents
How to Use this Book xii
Introduction 1
The Concept of "Theology": A Brief Introduction 1
The Architecture of Theology 4
Historical Theology: Its Purpose and Place 8
1 The Patristic Period, c.100–451 16
A Clarifi cation of Terms 17
Difficulties in Approaching Patristic Theology 17
The Historical Background to Patristic Theology 18
Centers of Theological Reflection 22
Key Theologians 22
Key Theological Developments 26
Key Names, Words, and Phrases 35
Questions 35
Case Studies 36
2 The Middle Ages and the Renaissance, c.500–1500 77
On Defining the "Middle Ages" 78
Medieval Theological Landmarks in Western Europe 80
The Rise of Scholasticism 84
The Italian Renaissance 84
The Rise of Humanism 85
Medieval Theological Landmarks in Eastern Europe 86
Key Theologians 88
Key Theological Developments 93
Key Names, Words, and Phrases 98
Questions 98
Case Studies 98
3 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Periods, 1500–1750 124
Reformation – or Reformations? 125
A Clarification of Terms 126
Post-Reformation Movements 133
Key Theologians 136
Key Theological Developments 139
Developments in Theological Literature 141
Key Names, Words, and Phrases 146
Questions 146
Case Studies 146
4 The Modern Period, 1750 to the Present Day 182
A Cultural Watershed: The Enlightenment 184
The Enlightenment Critique of Christian Theology 184
Romanticism and the Critique of the Enlightenment 187
The Crisis of Faith in Victorian England 189
Postmodernism and a New Theological Agenda 190
Key Theologians 192
Some Recent Western Theological Movements and Trends 195
Key Names, Words, and Phrases 209
Questions 210
Case Studies 210
Where Next? 269
Details of Theologians 271
A Glossary of Theological Terms 276
For Further Reading 288
Sources of Citations 292
Index 297