Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought

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 . 

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

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.

“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)