The Medieval Theologians: An Introduction to Theology in the Medieval Period

by G.R. Evans (Editor)

The Medieval Theologians provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the period through an examination of the key individual theologians of the time. Chronologically arranged, it allows students to explore this crucial period when so many important theological developments took place.

Covers the important period from the 5th to the 16th centuries, when theology took shape as an increasingly formal subject of academic study.

The only book to trace developments in the field by individual theologian, rather than thematically, as is the case in other texts.

Provides a unique and distinctively theological perspective.

Written by leading authorities from around the world.

Genres: Church History, History, Theology

408 pages, Paperback

First published February 8, 2001

About the author

Professor Emeritus of Medieval Theology and Intellectual History at the University of Cambridge

Reviews

[Joseph Sverker]

This book has many strong points and if one wants to be introduced to the most influential theologians of the Middle Ages then of course this is an excellent starting point. Although, I think it has some considerable weak points too. First of all, I'm not quite sure that this way of structuring a book on Medieval theology is very successful. My understanding of the Middle Ages is that there were controversies that drove the discussion forward rather than theologians. The focus is the somewhat unclear in this book because for most part the chapters deal with a theologian, but what they write about is many times what controversies they were involved in, and then, of course, also their theology. In contemporary theology the debate is of course also driven forward by particular issues, but they might not be as universal as those in the MIddle Ages? Any way, one or two of the chapters are genuinely badly written and makes slow reading and one or two chapters feel like the authors are far too "close" to their theologian and it feels like it is written a little too uncritical.