The Breeze of the Centuries: Introducing Great Theologians — From the Apostolic Fathers to Aquinas

by Michael Reeves

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 Chr

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

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2010

About the author

Michael 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.

Reviews

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nova leitura, agora em português. Altamente recomendado!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin. Breezy in parts. Lots of marginal notes made, lots of interesting ideas squirrelled away, and several great suggestions for deeper reading to follow up on. As a brief introduction to several important early Christian thinkers, aimed at the keen but relatively theologically untrained reader, it is splendid.

And who knew that my mother-in-law would give me a theology book that I would find so refreshing!?

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided me with a stimulating overview of significant theologians from our Christian past. The book was based on the conviction (voiced by C S Lewis) that, to avoid the pitfall of 'chronological snobbery', we need to look at the writings of older times. Our contemporary thinking will itself be assessed and reassessed by future generations.
I found that I enjoyed the short biographical sections more than the theology.
So what did I learn
That theology is always written in a context so that, just as Paul wrote to address the issues of the early church, so too did these men seek to address the challenges of the time. (We need people to do this for our times.)
That these men were men of intellect and passion
That threats to faith emerge in all generations and champions are needed to lead the defence
That I struggle with the theological obsession with minutiae and could not imagine studying it at university nor will I be digging out materials to delve further!

[Liam Chilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you want to be a monk?

When I was a child I use to daydream of going to prison. I could just spend all day on my own reading books and lifting weights. Perhaps I hadn’t quite appreciated the realities of prison life.

This book provides an introduction to some major theologians. Michael Reeves does a good job of outlining their stories and thoughts.

My overarching impression is that as theologians withdraw to the ivory tower their theology gets worse. When theology is pastoral and opposing the heresies that threaten the church then the outcomes seems to be much better. Probably best for me not to go to prison or for you to be a monk.

This quote sums up its worth actually reading Augustine (and other theologians from the past):

“His great temporal distance from us dares our comfortable and well-worn formulas. Even the mistakes we recognise as characteristic of his age force us to ask what mistakes are characteristic of ours.”

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly a riot - more like reading bits of the Encyclopedia Britannica. But it's a useful primer on early Christian thinkers, readable and reliable.

I struggled to put this to much devotional use - except perhaps to be thankful for all those who've thought hard about doctrine and contended for truths I treat casually today.

Great if you've got some kind of Cornhill essay to write, I imagine.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notwithstanding its accessible packaging, this book is an introduction and thoughtful summary of the central works of these six early/medieval theologians. Not quite the quick read I was initially expecting, but better for it.

[Austin Kettle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and readable introduction to a selection of big names and big ideas in early Christian thought. Leaves me feeling a little less ignorant and a lot more optimistic about actually engaging with them.

[Benjamin Goff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought Reeves did a good job of balancing biography and theology, but at times, I believe his hand was quite heavy when he disagreed with the theologian in question. Overall, it is worth moving on to the next book in the series.

[Andrew Rann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good review of the early church fathers. It wets your Appetite to read more.

[James Bunyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful introduction to each of the following theologians:

-the Apostolic Fathers
-Justin Martyr & Irenaeus
-Athanasius
-Augustine
-Anselm
-Thomas Aquinas

Doesn't choose to evaluate, merely describe.

[Thiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, exciting, informative, and 'jargon-less'.

Reeves challenges modern Christians to think twice before taking centuries of theological thought for granted. He introduces us to theologians most of us always wanted to read about (until we discovered how big a tome we'd have to read!). The layout is simple and effective in highlighting relevant (and even curious) facts about the life and work of each author. Each section starts with a short biography coupled with some background information, which is then followed by a snappy survey of important works, and ends with a short 'further reading' section.

Now, one would expect each section to be packed with theologically-loaded words since the whole book is only 145 pages; but the layman need not fear, the lack of jargon makes the book more enjoyable and accessible to those who are unfamiliar with each discussion. In addition, Michael points out what struggles we have in common with each author as well as in what way their ideas can be applied to problems we still face today; he says, "from other centuries we receive an enrichment we could never have through mere feeding on ourselves" (p.9), and is faithful to instil that perspective in his readers.

The only two things a student may miss throughout the book are: (1) a brief glossary; and (2) study questions. However, a case could easily be made that, though beneficial, these would actually make the book too bulky and would, therefore, go against its user-friendly layout and approachable length.

Overall, this is a fantastic read and a great introduction to these great thinkers - especially for those interested in how the past influenced (and influences) the present in many regards.

[Daniel Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christians today (well, especially evangelicals if I'm honest) tend to find any Christian writer between St Paul and C. S. Lewis rather intimidating (and even they are a little bit scary). The worry of many is that Christians of different ages, with vastly different assumptions to our own, might inadvertently shake our beliefs. Michael Reeves shows comprehensively that there is nothing to fear with this clear, brief and desperately needed introduction. His foreword builds on C. S. Lewis' essay generally known as On Reading Old Books (originally and appropriately a preface to Athanasius' On the Incarnation), explaining why we need to keep the 'breeze of the centuries' blowing through our minds. He is quite right, and Reeves will certainly help you to do so.

[James Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening for me. All about the early Christian theologians, their lives and their writings. Reeves goal is that the introductions he writes get the reader interested in checking out these writings for themselves.

I really enjoyed learning about the church 'fathers' as they like to call em. I was really intrigued in how these guys preached Christ and the gospel in such detail just from the Old Testament.

It piqued my interest enough to order some Athanasius from the book depository (written only 1650 years before my birth). Will let you know how it goes.

[Scott Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting and easy to read introduction to great theologians from the Apostolic Fathers to Aquinas. Reeves investigates the major works of different theologians, summarising messages in some of their key works. As a result of reading this, I'd like to investigate the writings of Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Athanasius and Augustine more. I didn't feel any need to look further into Anselm or Aquinas.

[Steve Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic introduction to some of the most important fathers of the Christian Faith! Easily accessible to all and definitely worth reading! 'The only palliative is to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds' (C.S. Lewis).

[Matt Kottman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction into the work of many of the most influential theologians of the church from Papias to Aquinas.