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Sobre ombros de gigantes: Introdução aos grandes teólogos – de Lutero a Packer
Is 'newer' really 'better'?
We often assume so, but if we do treat the past as inferior we will ignore the legacy of history, and thus will find ourselves stranded on the tiny desert island of our own moment in time.
In particular, this applies to Christian theology, which should be thought, and lived, corporately by the church down through the ages.
The remedy to 'chronological snobbery' is, as C. S. Lewis put it, 'to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds'. Such is the motivation behind Michael Reeves' introduction to a selection of influential or significant Christian theologians. Furthermore, by 'sitting on the shoulders of giants ... our glance can take in more things and reach farther than theirs' (Bernard of Chartres).
This accessible and informative companion volume to The Breeze of the Centuries covers Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Friedrich Schleiermacher and Karl Barth.
Each chapter begins with a brief biography and some background, then surveys each theologian's major work or works, gives a timeline for historical context, and ends with guidance for further reading.
We often assume so, but if we do treat the past as inferior we will ignore the legacy of history, and thus will find ourselves stranded on the tiny desert island of our own moment in time.
In particular, this applies to Christian theology, which should be thought, and lived, corporately by the church down through the ages.
The remedy to 'chronological snobbery' is, as C. S. Lewis put it, 'to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds'. Such is the motivation behind Michael Reeves' introduction to a selection of influential or significant Christian theologians. Furthermore, by 'sitting on the shoulders of giants ... our glance can take in more things and reach farther than theirs' (Bernard of Chartres).
This accessible and informative companion volume to The Breeze of the Centuries covers Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Friedrich Schleiermacher and Karl Barth.
Each chapter begins with a brief biography and some background, then surveys each theologian's major work or works, gives a timeline for historical context, and ends with guidance for further reading.
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2011
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About the author
Michael Reeves
76 books574 followersMichael Reeves (PhD, King's College, London) is President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology in the UK (www.ust.ac.uk). He is Director of the European Theologians Network, and speaks and teaches regularly worldwide. Previously he has been Head of Theology for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and an associate minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 2, 2019
Li duas vezes e cheguei à mesma conclusão: fantástico! Altamente recomendado!
October 23, 2013
The 'sequel' to 'Breeze of the Centuries' - a superb, jargon-less introduction to important theologians from Luther to Barth who have influenced much of how we think today.
January 3, 2026
Reeves writes well and introduces well. Even knowing the limitations of such short bios, there is enough to whet the appetite. I would personally have preferred more caveats around Barth and Schieiermacher for the uninitiated reader. Reeves' attempt at breadth and catholocity is not always such a clear guardrail.
Very much worth reading, however.
Very much worth reading, however.
March 21, 2020
“Great theologians are usually infinitely more interesting than the things about them. So go on: back to the sources!”
Looking forward to going back to the sources and reading some old theologians now.
Looking forward to going back to the sources and reading some old theologians now.
October 31, 2023
Really unexpected but I greatly enjoyed reading this book. It did exactly what it said it would! Compact and interesting introductions to important theologians that leaves you wanting more!
Entertaining author! I’m definitely heading back to the sources now, starting with Luther! Thank you!
Entertaining author! I’m definitely heading back to the sources now, starting with Luther! Thank you!
June 7, 2021
Haters gonna say it’s too brief to be of any use but I think these two volumes are brilliant little introductions.
April 12, 2017
The phrase 'Standing on the shoulders of giants' is generally attributed to Newton, but although he did use the phrase, he did not originate it - according to the Wikipedia page, the oldest known incidence of it goes back to the twelfth century. As usual, the middle ages are unjustly maligned.
In any case, Mike Reeves, in this excellent sequel to The Breeze of the Centuries, rightly attempts to reclaim the phrase for theology from science. He carefully notes in his introduction (copied from the first book, incidentally) that he has significant disagreements with at least some of the theologians he covers, and, though his analysis is suitably balanced and does not let on his own opinions too much, it is clear that his sympathies lie far more with, say, Edwards, than with Schleiermacher, that bugbear of conservative theologians. Moreover, he expects his readers too as well.
At any rate, one of the things that this book makes clear is that modern Christians, whether they like it or not, whether they even know it or not, are sitting (or standing) on the shoulders of giants. There is certainly nothing wrong with this; but it always helps to be able to see whose shoulders you are sitting on.
In any case, Mike Reeves, in this excellent sequel to The Breeze of the Centuries, rightly attempts to reclaim the phrase for theology from science. He carefully notes in his introduction (copied from the first book, incidentally) that he has significant disagreements with at least some of the theologians he covers, and, though his analysis is suitably balanced and does not let on his own opinions too much, it is clear that his sympathies lie far more with, say, Edwards, than with Schleiermacher, that bugbear of conservative theologians. Moreover, he expects his readers too as well.
At any rate, one of the things that this book makes clear is that modern Christians, whether they like it or not, whether they even know it or not, are sitting (or standing) on the shoulders of giants. There is certainly nothing wrong with this; but it always helps to be able to see whose shoulders you are sitting on.
November 3, 2011
Good introduction to Luther, Calvin, Owen, Edwards, Schleiermacher and Barth.
Schleiermacher, as the father of liberalism, would not make my list of giants upon whose shoulders I gain further enrichment of the Christian life; therefore I wouldn't have included him in this volume, nonetheless, it was informative to read about him.
A feature I appreciated in this book was at the end of each chapter Michael Reeves gave his recommendations for further reading.
Schleiermacher, as the father of liberalism, would not make my list of giants upon whose shoulders I gain further enrichment of the Christian life; therefore I wouldn't have included him in this volume, nonetheless, it was informative to read about him.
A feature I appreciated in this book was at the end of each chapter Michael Reeves gave his recommendations for further reading.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews