Synopses & Reviews
Why the Church must defend the truth.
Our ongoing fascination with alternative Christianities is on display every time a never-before-seen gospel text is revealed, an archaeological discovery about Jesus makes front-page news, or a new work of fiction challenges the very foundations of the church. Now, in a timely corrective to this trend, renowned church historian Alister McGrath examines the history of subversive ideas, overturning common misconceptions that heresy is somehow more spiritual or liberating than traditional dogma. In so doing, he presents a powerful, compassionate orthodoxy that will equip the church to meet the challenge from renewed forms of heresy today.
Review
“Not only a riveting story of ancient controversies, but also a much needed and timely correction to the commonly held notion that heretics were mostly free thinkers who challenged a narrow and closed orthodoxy.” Justo L. González, author of The Story of Christianity
Review
“A penetrating examination by an intellectual powerhouse.” Booklist
Review
“Alister McGrath helps us understand what heresy is and why it exercises a powerful attraction upon the human mind. It is full of illuminating historical discussions and insights into the motivations that lead people to adopt heresy as a style of life and a personal demeanor.” Dallas Willard, author of Knowing Christ Today
Synopsis
Why the Church must defend the truth.
Our ongoing fascination with alternative Christianities is ondisplay every time a never-before-seen gospel text is revealed,an archaeological discovery about Jesus makes front-page news, or anew work of fiction challenges the very foundations of the church.Now, in a timely corrective to this trend, renowned church historianAlister McGrath examines the history of subversive ideas, overturningcommon misconceptions that heresy is somehow more spiritual orliberating than traditional dogma. In so doing, he presents a powerful,compassionate orthodoxy that will equip the church to meet thechallenge from renewed forms of heresy today.
Synopsis
In recent years, the distinction between heresy and orthodoxy has come under fire by those eager to reject the formal boundaries of sanctioned beliefs about Jesus.
Leading religion and church history expert Alister McGrath argues that the categories of heresy and orthodoxy must be preserved by the church today. Despite accusations that traditional dogma is outdated, the mandate of the Church is still to remain faithful to Jesus's mission and message. In Heresy, McGrath presents the fascinating story of heresy throughout Christian history and sheds light on these shunned beliefs and their popular appeal today.
Alister E. McGrath is a biochemist and Christian theologian born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and currently enjoys the Title of Distinction "Professor of Historical Theology" granted by the University of Oxford. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How it Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture and The Twilight of Atheism: The Rise and Fall of Disbelief in the Modern World. He lives in Oxford, England and lectures regularly in the U.S.
"Not only a riveting story of ancient controversies, but also a much needed and timely correction to the commonly held notion that heretics were mostly free thinkers who challenged a narrow and closed orthodoxy. Readers will gain both a better understanding of ancient heresies, and a renewed appreciation for Christian orthodoxy." -- Justo L. Gonz lez, author of The Story of Christianity
--Justo L. Gonz lez, author of The Story of Christianity
Synopsis
A leading religion and church history expert reveals the surprising history of heresy and argues that the church must continue to defend what is true about Jesus.
About the Author
Alister E. McGrath is a historian, biochemist, and Christian theologian born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A longtime professor at Oxford University, he now holds the chair in theology, ministry, and education at the University of London. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including Christianity's Dangerous Idea, In the Beginning, and The Twilight of Atheism. He lives in Oxford, England, and lectures regularly in the United States.