Christian Thought Revisited: Three Types of Theology

by Justo L. González

First published in 1989, Christian Thought Revisited offers an overview of three basic models of theology in Western Christianity. The purpose of this categorization is to help students understand the validity and application of all three models in the study of theology today. Gonzalez has updated the discussion on each model to include contemporary concerns.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Church History, Christianity

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Justo L. González, author of the highly praised three-volume History of Christian Thought and other major works, attended United Seminary in Cuba, received his MA at Yale, and was the youngest person to be awarded a PhD in historical theology at Yale. He is one of the few first generation Latino theologians to come from a Protestant background. He helped to found the Association for Hispanic Theological Education and the Hispanic Theological Initiative. Dr González is now on the faculty of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Jared Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal introduction to historical theology which traces various streams of Christian thought in Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism to their patristic roots—suggesting that there are broadly three “types” of theology which find their origination in Tertullian of Carthage, Origen of Alexandria, and Iranaeus of Lyons. If you come to this text hoping for a comprehensive and nuanced survey of historical theology, you will be disappointed; González freely admits that this broad survey is often rushed and over-simplified. But this work is not intended to be a comprehensive survey of historical theology (for that, see his three-volume series on the subject); rather, it offers a helpful historical paradigm for understanding the current state of Christianity, and celebrates the global post-Constantinian resurgence of Iranaeus’s pastoral theology—which González believes will serve the church well in its current climate. At times, his bias against Catholic and Reformed theology is a bit heavy-handed; but his critiques are largely valid and worthy of serious consideration. The simple paradigm González proposes accounts strikingly well for the highly diverse streams of Christian thought throughout church history—legalism, scholasticism, pietism, theological liberalism, and more. This small book is jam-packed with invaluable insight, and certainly worth the brief time investment.

[Richard Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author describes what is a confusing array of developing ideas into three categories that allow for understanding this patch-work-quilt period of the development of Christine doctrine and the institution of the church.

[Louis Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find myself highlighting the warning the author gave on page 16 of this book, which writes: "At this point, a word of warning is in order. Any typology is of necessity schematic. It may be illuminating, as long as it is not taken too literally. In this respect, a typology is like a caricature: When one sees a caricature of a person, one immediately recognizes the person by exaggeration of prominent features, although no one could possibly have such features. Likewise, in drawing a typology such as that presented here, one underscores those elements most characteristic of a particular type..." Personally, I find Dr. Gonzalez caricatures of the three ancient theologies very insightful and interesting. Although broad in strokes, it is nevertheless accurate especially considering the wealth of knowledge Dr Gonzalez has as a historian The book is helpful for those who would want an overview of the history of Christian theology, beginning with the Church Fathers, Tertullian, Origen and Irenaeus, and culminating with a discussion of its relevance for twentieth century's theological landscape, with the hope of rediscovering more fully, the type C theology he advocates.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overview of historical roots to modern streams of Christianity. Gonzalez is fairly general and sweeping in his groupings of historical figures and their influences on modern thought but this is inevitable when writing this kind of book given it's size and scope. I learned more about the influences of Irenaeus of Antioch, Origen of Alexandria and Tertullian of Carthage. I would recommend this book to any Christian who doesn't know the true origin and background to their beliefs and practice. We have not been born (or re-born) in a bubble and there is a whole lot of story between the resurrection and the reformation that needs to be told. If Christians would simply learn their history, I am convinced there would be less squabbling and more synergy, less Koran burning and more communication building. Read this book and learn to appreciate the beliefs of others with a perspective of acceptance. Your view of the atonement is not the only one, you might be more neo-platonist than Christian and there's more than one way to interpret scripture.

[Craig Toth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fine overview of the main schools of theological thought and their beginnings in the early centuries of Christianity. I think every pastor ought to read it and learn why, for example, the Western church has a juridical (legal) orientation toward salvation, which results in a focus on the Crucifixion of Jesus, as compared to the Eastern church, which emphasizes the Incarnation of God's Son and the transformational work of the Holy Spirit.

[Sabio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gonzalez is a Christian Theologian.
This book categorizes Christian Theology and is a very short quick summary of this 3 volume history of Christian Theology.

I love all his works -- even as a former-believer -- I feel he tells it even handedly for the most part.

So if you want an idea of the varieties of Christianities in the past, read this.