Readings in the History of Christian Theology, Volume 1: From Its Beginnings to the Eve of the Reformation

by William C. Placher

In this book, William C. Placher compiles significant passages written by the most important Christian thinkers through the early sixteenth century. An important resource for theological study, Readings in the History of Christian Theology contains excerpts preceded by the author's illuminating introductions so that the book can stand alone as a coherent history.

Genres: Theology, History, Church History, Religion, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith

204 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1988

Reviews

[Pig Rieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers numerous samples of the writings of important figures within church history prior to the reformation. While each sample is small (1-3) pages, the editors of the volume has done his reader a tremendous favor in briefly describing the writer, context, and substance of his or her writing. Furthermore, editors have done a tremendous job of pairing disparaging works together. For example, Arias’ writings are placed adjacent to the orthodox, Radbertus writing on transubstantiation and Ratramnus against the same are paired together, and more.

With the understanding that this book is akin to a curated picture book into the church prior to the reformation, the work is excellent. That said, some of the writings are easier to read than other especially as one finds such contrast between Biblical Christianity and the error filled opinions of man running side by side.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Church history sourcebook. It's alright.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

“If we do not learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it.” Good or bad decisions, history is important for us to know and his is the line of thinking that we as a people must have when it comes to history, be it ecclesiastical, national, familial, or cultural. History is important and when we look at why our forefathers wrote, experiences and rebelled against, we see why out world looks like it does today. When one studies ecclesiastical history this is even more true.

In Westminster John Knox Press’s new book Readings in the History of Christian Theology (Vol. 2) Revised Edition edited by William C. Placher and Derek R. Nelson the history of the Church is examined though the lense of the written works of prominent scholars and thinkers from the reformation to the present.

This one volume examines just shy of 100 important theological works from the church fathers up to but not including the Reformation. When all of these collected works are examined as a unit they represent an important time at the beginning of the Church. When examined as individual works these documents represent a particular branch of Christianity in it’s proper cultural context.

Unfortunately due to the immense size of all of these works, for size concerns, each work is edited and much of the discourses are gone. This is a premise problem with the book. A short volume of important original sources must be long if it contains all of the work. While the editors did a commendable job at editing the sources, yet the central tenants of each work remain intact. I therefore would caution those who might think that a work contained in this volume is the full text rather and a highly abridged version, abet done with impeccable precision and intent.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Westminster John Knox Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

Readings in the History of Christian Theology (Vol. 1) Revised Edition

© 2015

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Publishing

Page Count: 220 Pages

ISBN: 978-0664239336

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surveys the first 1500 years of church history using selected writings from successive periods. Because of the nature of this method of writing, the book is not a comprehensive history (though arguably, no history is complete). However, the writings combined with judiciously written introductions to each present a coherent story of the church through just before the reformation. The selections were carefully made and practical. The introductions were short but fulsome. This is an excellent text in its own right and would make a superb companion to a more traditional history.

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book for second year college students studying pre-reformation history.
Why? Hear from the horse's mouth! Makes church history a bit more accessible when you realise real people were writing their thoughts and heart out.
Although each extract is short (1-3 pages) that means you don't get too disheartened at the super tough ones, and you get some gold. E.g. one pope calling the emperor "listen, my son" as though rebuking a child. And Wycliffe's passion for preaching. And I got to meet Thomas Bradwardine, although prereformation, had quite cool convictions!

[Jennifer Henschel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second edition contains snippets from many sources, orthodox and otherwise, making it interesting reading. However, the included pieces are chopped up into very tiny bits, and paragraph numbers that would be useful for citations are removed.

[Jarrod Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done.

It was nice to have a collection of readings that weren’t just one paragraph or two. I thought it was put together well. Worth reading if you’re into this kind of thing.

[Flynn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful sampler of some of the most critical texts in the history of the church which represents its theological trajectories and attitudes from its incipience to its maturation in the Middle Ages.

[Benjamin Phillips]

Very useful but not enjoyable.
Samples are large enough to get the flavor but too small to really get into the mind of the author.

[Tim Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compiled from primary sources to catch a glimpse of the significant theologians, events, and controversies of the early church to the eve of the Reformation. Valuable resource.

[Nick Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's better to just read the sources themselves.

[Roscoe Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

For its intended purpose (historic articles and research), this book is perfect.

[Skylar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great book... Well, many good segments but the book cannot be read by itself. Also, I don't trust the author to have chosen the best quotes.

[Nicholas Moonis · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to read early church primary sources, buy it

[Dartist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of highlights from important theological writings from the Church Fathers to the proto-Protestant Reformers like Jan Hus and John Wycliffe. I had this and Placher's second volume as some of my texts for seminary Church history classes. Placher acted as editor, selecting choice nuggets of essential writings with nice, concise essays describing their context and importance. Understand what this book is: an introduction, a survey if you will, of writings every Christian should be familiar with, if they want to grasp the essentials of the development of doctrine, and important Christian thinkers and movements. This is not a book to use for a research paper of any length, bec. it only includes highlights of important writings, but it may help a beginning researcher to know where to begin their search on a particular period or person.

I think this book is best for the armchair historian or theologian, who wants to read an accessible and helpful survey of Christian thought (less than 200 pages long). Placher's comments are insightful and gracious, and he includes a wide variety of traditions, albeit mostly Western ones once you pass the Church Fathers. Other than its Eurocentrism, it is a great introductory text to Christian history and thought. It includes an appendix bibliography of other texts one may want to consult for further study on particular periods, though it is a bit dated, since this book was printed in 1988.

[Jonathan]

None

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good to read parts of primary sources.