Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought

by Alister E. McGrath

In this text, Alister McGrath utilises the successful historic chapters from Christian Theology: An Introduction, Second Edition and builds on them to provide all the material that students will need to understand the development of Christian theology from its beginnings.

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

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Alister Edgar McGrath is a Northern Irish theologian, priest, intellectual historian, scientist, and Christian apologist. He currently holds the Andreas Idreos Professorship in Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and is Professor of Divinity at Gresham College. He was previously Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King's College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, until 2005. He is an Anglican priest and is ordained within the Church of England.

Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.

McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent introduction to the history of Theology intended for students, which is unfortunately let down by its poor editing (with multiple typos and some embarrassing and apparently accidental repetition of whole paragraphs of material). I enjoyed the chapters on the patristic, mediaeval, and renaissance periods more than the discussion of modern theological developments which I found to be mostly a lengthy collation of uninteresting critiques of Christian orthodoxy more suitable for inclusion in a high school philosophy textbook. Nevertheless, a worthwhile read in the absence of better introductions to the subject.

[Philemon Schott · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5

[Neil Kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A very informative introduction to key debates, people and developments in church history. McGrath is balanced and fair, and leaves moral evaluation up to the reader.

[Joe Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

McGrath provides a clear and concise introduction to historical theology, highlighting key thinkers, major movements, and important discussions throughout four major periods of church history. Though the book's organization feels a bit like a textbook and can thus be repetitive at times, Mcgrath's writing style makes the work enjoyable and accessible. Historical Theology by McGrath is an excellent introduction and overview of the subject.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"God reveals himself. He reveals himself through himself. He reveals himself." With these words (which it is virtually impossible to translate into inclusive language)

Sounds like a challenge! How about

God reveals themself. They reveal themself through themself. They reveal themself.

(I had to look which are the reflexive forms of singular they, and how verb agreement works.)

Some links:

Eisegesis.

tweet.

Kerygma.

History of Christian Theology on Wikipedia.

Demythologization.

Schleiermacher. A Barthian Critique of Schleiermacher’s Doctrine of God. Karl Barths Nachwort zur Schleiermacher-Auswahl von 1968

Karl Barth in In Our Time.

God, Evolution, and Animal Suffering: Theodicy without a Fall article.

The Groaning of Creation: God, Evolution, and the Problem of Evil

Adiaphora in Christianity.

The anhypostasia–enhypostasia distinction. Divinity and Humanity: The Incarnation Reconsidered.

Perichoresis.

Kenosis.

Economic and immanent Trinity.

Contemporary Theological Perspectives. Neo-orthodoxy.

tweet. Apparently, Barth disliked analogia entis and natural theology. "Analogia entis, analogia fidei". Karl Barth dialoga con teólogos católicos


tweet. Moltmann espoused social trinitarianism.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Read about 60% between my History of Christianity pt. 1 & 2 classes. Really insightful and informative about intellectual development in history generally, and how theological development occurred within that broader context. The "Case Studies" were also helpful where McGrath would pull excerpts of primary sources that were in historical dialogue with each other and work the reader through the different developing viewpoints.

There would be a lot less heresy and claims of exclusivity if more Christian leaders read and applied this work.

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of different theologies throughout the history of Christianity, and attempts to present them and their workings to the reader in order for the reader to see how Christianity came to be what it is today. For myself, I wish that it had been less detailed in some places and more definitive in others.

[Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text gives an easy to read, well organized account of key events spanning the early church through the reformation. As an introduction, it is better than average, but it won't be the only book in your church history library.

[Joshua Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Blecker said, “To do theology without history is to study cut flowers, not living plants.” Read this book and you'll understand why.

[Jeremy Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review will be a little longer as I explain how some parts influenced me in my move to Anglicanism (of which McGrath belongs as well).

This book was assigned to me for my Historical Theology class at Moody Bible Institute Chicago. There are four sections to this book which are divided by time periods: 1) Patristic (100-451 A.D.) 2) Middle Ages and Renaissance (500-1500 A.D.) 3) Reformation and Post-Reformation (1500-1750) 4) Modern Period (1750-Present). I covered the first three sections in class and then the fourth section on my own many months later.

Historical theology is the study of how theology develops over time. In each section McGrath covers 1) an overview of that time period 2) the key theological developments of that time 3) key theologians 3) key names/words/phrases. Finally, he does various case studies of that era such as the Nestorian controvesy of the Patristic, Aquinas' arguments for the existence of God in the Middle Ages, the debate over infant baptism in the reformation period, and the quests for the historical Jesus in the modern period.

The three things that influenced me the most in this book were:

1) The emphasis on the outward unity of the church and how schism was viewed as a serious sin in the Patristic period (most notably condemned by Cyprian of Carthage). I can't help it that I was born into a fractured church, but I can make the decision today to either be part of the body that has a record of schisms over non-essentials or to be part of a body that works towards healing those breaks (ecumenical relationships that led to full communion). Being against schism and for unity is what led me to Anglicanism.

2) The justification controversy at the Council of Trent was an eye-opener for me as I had never heard the perspective that McGrath shared. He said that the condemnation of justification by faith alone was a semantics issue. Roman Catholics did not view justification like protestants do (forensic justification). Justification to a Roman Catholic was like justification+sanctification combined to a protestant. So the Trent condemnation of faith alone for justification is "a classic case of theological misunderstanding, resting upon the disputed meaning of a major theological term" (161). If Trent was read through a Catholic perspective it would read that they are condemning the belief that the entire Christian life can be lived out by faith apart from works (which of course, Protestants do not teach or agree with. You must work to be sanctified, though still by grace). It was also interesting that at another council after Trent (regrettably, I forget the name) Protestants and Catholics almost worked out the misunderstanding.

3) The section on the original reformation was important for me. McGrath showed that there was not one reformation but four (mainly due to geography): The Swiss Reformation (Reformed), the German reformation (Lutheran), the English reformation (Anglican), and then the radical reformation (Anabaptist, which was based on theology rather than geography). The time I spent thinking through these original reformations was also very influential in me becoming an Anglican. From my perspective, there was no need to consider denominations like Methodism, Pentecostalism, Presbyterianism etc. as they were splits off of the original reformation that I didn't view as necessary. I spent a lot of time thinking about these original reformations by looking at their confessions of faith and what made them distinct. I loved the minimalism of the 39 Articles of Faith and that it best understood what the essentials really are: the three ecumenical creeds.

If you're looking to grow in your understanding of church history and how theology developed, I highly recommend this book.

[Sam van der Leek · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ‘Historical Theology’ poogt Alister E. McGrath een weergave te geven van de theologische ontwikkelingen in de geschiedenis. Beginnend bij de kerkvaders, gaat McGrath in op zaken zoals de spanning tussen religie en cultuur, canonvorming en de totstandkoming van de eerste leerstelligheidsformuleringen. Vervolgens komt men aan bij de middeleeuwen waarin de nadruk ligt op de stichting van kloosters en universiteiten, die de theologie diepgaand hebben beïnvloed. Ook biedt hij ons inzicht in de scholastieke theologie en de vorming van theologische systemen. Daarnaast brengt hij de voortekenen van de reformatie, de renaissance en de verlichting met het humanisme naar voren. Daarna vervolgt hij de reis door de geschiedenis door aan te belanden bij de reformatie, een van de meest ingrijpende gebeurtenissen binnen de kerk en het christelijke geloof. McGrath heeft hier een scherp oog voor de verschillende kleinere reformaties die per land plaats vinden. De laatste tijdsperiode is dan natuurlijk de moderne periode. De analyse van onze tijd is scherp en uitgebreid, hij geeft namelijk uiteenzettingen over diverse trends zoals neo-orthodoxie, feminisme en postliberalisme.

Door de structuur die hij aanhoudt is zijn betoog goed te volgen. Hij geeft eerst een algemene inleiding, vervolgens behandelt hij diverse sleutelfiguren van de periode en daarna gaat hij in op belangrijke theologische ontwikkelingen. Hij sluit zijn hoofdstukken af door een aantal specifieke theologische onderwerpen verder toe te lichten, wat echt verdieping aanbrengt in zijn stof. Zeker deze, door hem genoemde, casestudies waren waardevol voor mijn eigen theologische zoektocht en vragen over bijvoorbeeld erfzonde en canonvorming.

Al met al biedt McGrath een indrukwekkend overzicht van de theologische traditie, helder gestructureerd en vol verrassende inzichten. Een boek dat uitnodigt tot herlezen én tot verder denken.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very good handbook for understanding major theological developments and controversies of the history of the church. McGrath's organization is simple and the overview brief. He splits church history into four major movements (Patristic, Medieval, Reformation, and Modern Periods). In each section he briefly provides a chronology, a selection of important theologians, and then a more detailed set of case studies of theological conversations in that time period.

For me, McGrath is more helpful in the first sections than the latter ones. In the reformation era, it feels as if some of his Anglican background shades his focus. I was rather frustrated in his modern section about what topics he chose to address as important. The way he portrayed it, it seemed that Christianity took a massive step backwards after the post-reformation era. I'm willing to concede that I may have rel this way because I (a reformed presbyterian) felt that none of my parties major thinkers got any attention for their contributions (he essentially stops reformed theology with Barth).

[Jon Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awhile back I wanted to read an overview of church history; the words of an old professor that the study of church history must also be attended by a study of historical theology compelled me to dig out this old college text for a deserved reread.

I'm glad I read it through. It overlapped with and complemented many of the events and developments I read of in the church history book. It enriched ideas I was already familiar with; it provided me with fresh context and knowledge of ideas I was not. It piqued my fascination to dig deeper into other ideas. Most importantly, it reinforced my foundation while giving me clearer insight into the ideas upon which my foundation is actually built. I am grateful to feel a more deeply informed connection to the history and ideas that have given form to this Christian faith.

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 4 out of 5]

Théologie historique: une introduction à l'histoire de la pensée chrétienne de Alister McGrath est une merveille de petit manuel: concis, précis, pédagogique, et surtout aidant à acquérir des points de repère pour des études ultérieures. Malgré sa courte taille par rapport au sujet, McGrath ne sacrifie pas en précision, et on sent qu'il a lu les théologiens qu'il mentionne, et qu'il a bien fait son travail en arrière plan.

Le plan est très bien conçu pour des débutants parfaits, et même ceux qui ont déjà leurs repères en apprendront encore. J'ai eu un gros coup de coeur pour les chapitres sur la théologie moderne et contemporaine, qui m'ont vraiment aidé à "gagner des repères" dans le champ de la théologie contemporaine. Il m'a donné envie de lire davantage.

Je recommande particulièrement cet ouvrage comme introduction à la théologie historique.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent introductory reference for those new to Christian historical theology. The book is very clearly organized and easy to navigate. Different time periods, theologians, and issues are discussed in an easily digestible way. You can pretty much find whatever you’re looking for and the book is easy to navigate. It would have been nice if their were some discussion of the Ethiopian, Oriental, and Orthodox traditions more as well. But the book is very good for grasping the major developments and debates within the Western church traditions. The subject matter can be daunting at times but this book delivers it in about as easy a format to get into as possible while still being fair and grounded in rigorous knowledge.

[Steve Irby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished "Historical Theology" by Alister McGrath.

Wow! What an awesome read. I am very glad to have read it. A 2000 year tour of theological thought in the words of a guy who isn't too shabby himself.

I think he stayed very professional as a historian and as a theologian all 350 pages. The only exception would be when he was referring to Peter Lombard's theology text as the most boring book on earth (and it was funny when he said it). He was as fair to the liberal protestants as he was the classical, feminists, liberation and process...he gave process theology--theology's red headed stepchild-- a fair shake.

[William Farley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ignored Key Elements of Church History

This book was helpful until 1750. After that the author paid inordinate attention to Christian Liberalism, but is “liberalism” even Christian? No! It is an alternate religion. Second he completely dismissed the rise of Orthodoxy from 1740 forward. Although he covered the Enlightenment in detail he failed give any attention to its counter, the Great Awakening and the rise and dominance of 18th and 19th century Methodists. He also dismissed the most explosive growth of Christianity in history, the rise of Pentecostals from 1904 forward. Can’t recommend this book.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

McGrath's work here is fine, good even. It just hasn't satisfied my longing for a book (or series of books) on Christian historical theology that is chronological and thematic, yet narrative and accessible. I long for something that captures the imagination of my high school students for the great Christian tradition of which they are heirs. So while this review is committing the cardinal sin of criticizing not the book not for what it is itself, but rather for not being what I wanted it to be, I can't help but be disappointed by the text.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was looking for something with a succinct, birds-eye overview of the evolution of Christianity over time. This book served the purpose well enough, though I wish it included more historical context and broader impact of events beyond what theologians were discussing at the time. Plenty of references provided for deeper reading, though.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

McGrath’s history of theology does a solid job navigating the main streams of theological formation. While he focuses on the primary streams of Western theological formation, he does provide some commentary on some non-Western streams. In short, while there is a lot more to be explored, McGrath provides a good starting point for a theological journey.

[Jason Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good ,if brief, overview of major points in theological history. I’d have liked more on important stuff such as the creeds but this is satisfying and there are good overviews of individual thinkers, and of twentieth century trends .

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction on the development of Christian throught thorugh the ages. Designed definately to whet the appetite and give a concise overview, not an in depth look. Very helpful and worht the time to read it.

[JT Goodart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave a pretty good overview of the historical developments of theology and the church. It was structured well and pretty easy to read. However, I get there were times that things were oversimplified or not addressed. Still a helpful book, though!

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

McGrath is terrific easy to read. He breaks this book into three major sections of pre-reformation, post-reformation, and modern history. Primary sources are quoted substantially throughout the work and helpful post chapter questions make sure you have been following the content as you read it.

[LMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I have a question about church history, I come to McGrath first. Sometimes he makes me scratch my head, sometimes I straight up disagree, but mostly he’s on top of it. His section on pelagianism is excellent and so clear that my 11th graders got it.

[Kevin Higginbotham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Read as a textbook for Church History class. Great content, very poorly formatted/edited. Looks like a word document printed and bound, with some parts copied and pasted word for word into multiple sections.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text is super dense, but it's also enriching and informative. Loved reading this for my Christianity class.

[Claude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, bad cover.

[James Bechtel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Richard Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!