Praise for previous editions of Christian Theology: An Introduction Page: ii
Title Page Page: iii
Copyright Page: iv
List of Illustrations Page: xxi
Preface Page: xxiii
To the Student: How to Use This Book Page: xxvii
To the Teacher: How to Use This Book Page: xxix
The Structure of the Book: The Fifth and Sixth Editions Compared Page: xxxiii
Video and Audio Resources Page: xxxv
Part I: Landmarks: Periods, Themes, and Personalities of Christian Theology Page: 1
Introduction Page: 3
Chapter 1: The Patristic Period, c.100–c.700 Page: 5
The Early Centers of Theological Activity Page: 5
An Overview of the Patristic Period Page: 7
Key Theologians Page: 10
Key Theological Debates and Developments Page: 12
Set 1: Introductory Page: 19
Set 2: Standard Level Page: 20
Chapter 2: The Middle Ages and the Renaissance, c.700–c.1500 Page: 21
On Defining the “Middle Ages” Page: 22
Theological Landmarks in Western Europe Page: 23
Byzantine Theology: Major Themes Page: 27
Key Theologians Page: 29
Key Theological Debates and Developments Page: 34
Chapter 3: The Age of Reformation, c.1500–c.1750 Page: 38
The Main Movements of the Age of Reformation Page: 38
Post-Reformation Movements Page: 43
The Copernican and Galilean Controversies Page: 46
Key Theologians Page: 47
Key Theological Debates and Developments Page: 49
Developments in Theological Literature Page: 51
Chapter 4: The Modern Period, c.1750 to the Present Page: 57
Theology and Cultural Developments in the West Page: 57
Key Theologians Page: 67
Major Modern Theological Movements Page: 69
Part II: Sources and Methods Page: 81
Chapter 5: Getting Started: Preliminaries Page: 83
What is Faith? Page: 83
Defining Theology Page: 85
The Architecture of Theology Page: 89
The Question of Prolegomena Page: 94
Commitment and Neutrality in Theology Page: 95
Orthodoxy and Heresy Page: 97
The Theology of the Relationship Between Christianity and Secular Culture Page: 99
Chapter 6: The Sources of Theology Page: 104
Scripture Page: 104
Tradition Page: 122
Reason Page: 127
Religious Experience Page: 130
Chapter 7: Knowledge of God: Natural and Revealed Page: 135
The Idea of Revelation Page: 136
Models of Revelation Page: 137
Natural Theology: Its Scope and Limits Page: 141
Approaches to Discerning God in Nature Page: 147
The Natural Sciences and Christian Theology: Models of Interaction Page: 148
Chapter 8: Philosophy and Theology: Dialogue and Debate Page: 152
Philosophy and Theology: The Notion of the “Handmaid” Page: 153
Can God's Existence be Proved? Four Approaches Page: 155
The Nature of Theological Language Page: 163
Part III: Christian Theology Page: 173
Chapter 9: The Doctrine of God Page: 175
Is God Male? Page: 175
A Personal God Page: 177
Can God Suffer? Page: 181
The Omnipotence of God Page: 187
God's Action in the World Page: 190
God as Creator Page: 194
Theodicies: The Problem of Evil Page: 202
Chapter 10: The Person of Jesus Christ Page: 207
The Place of Jesus Christ in Christian Theology Page: 208
New Testament Christological Titles Page: 209
The Patristic Debate Over the Person of Christ Page: 215
Medieval Christology: The Relationship Between the Incarnation and the Fall Page: 224
The Relationship Between the Person and Work of Christ Page: 225
Christological Models: Classical and Contemporary Page: 227
The Quest for the Historical Jesus Page: 236
The Resurrection of Christ: History and Interpretation Page: 242
Chapter 11: The Nature and Basis of Salvation Page: 246
Christian Approaches to Salvation Page: 248
The Foundations of Salvation: The Cross of Christ Page: 251
“Can a Male Savior Save Women?” Feminists on Atonement Page: 269
Models of Salvation in Christ: Classical and Contemporary Page: 270
The Appropriation of Salvation in Christ Page: 275
The Scope of Salvation in Christ Page: 277
Chapter 12: The Holy Spirit Page: 280
The Biblical Witness Page: 280
The Patristic Period Page: 281
The Filioque Controversy Page: 287
The Holy Spirit: Recent Discussions Page: 290
The Functions of the Spirit Page: 294
Chapter 13: The Trinity Page: 299
Approaching the Christian Doctrine of the Trinity Page: 299
The Biblical Foundations of the Doctrine of the Trinity Page: 302
The Historical Development of the Doctrine Page: 303
Two Trinitarian Heresies Page: 308
The Trinity: Six Classic and Contemporary Approaches Page: 311
Some Discussions of the Trinity in Recent Theology Page: 318
The Trinitarian Renaissance: Some Examples Page: 323
Chapter 14: Human Nature, Sin, and Grace Page: 327
The Place of Humanity Within Creation: Early Reflections Page: 327
Augustine of Hippo (354–430) and the Pelagian Controversy Page: 330
The Medieval Synthesis of the Doctrine of Grace Page: 334
The Reformation Debates Over the Doctrine of Grace Page: 337
The Doctrine of Predestination Page: 344
The Darwinian Controversy and the Nature of Humanity Page: 350
Chapter 15: The Church Page: 354
Biblical Models of the Church Page: 354
The Early Development of Ecclesiology Page: 356
The Donatist Controversy Page: 358
Early Protestant Doctrines of the Church Page: 360
Christ and the Church: Some Twentieth-Century Themes Page: 364
The Second Vatican Council on the Church Page: 367
The “Notes” of the Church Page: 370
Priesthood and Ministry: Some Major Themes Page: 378
Chapter 16: The Sacraments Page: 381
The Early Development of Sacramental Theology Page: 381
The Definition of a Sacrament Page: 383
The Donatist Controversy: Sacramental Efficacy Page: 386
The Multiple Functions of the Sacraments Page: 388
The Eucharist: The Question of the Real Presence Page: 395
The Debate Concerning Infant Baptism Page: 401
Chapter 17: Christianity and the World Religions Page: 405
Western Pluralism and the Question of Other Religions Page: 406
Approaches to Religions Page: 407
Christian Approaches to Other Religions Page: 416
Chapter 18: Last Things: The Christian Hope Page: 426
Developments in the Doctrine of the Last Things Page: 427
The Last Things Page: 439
Jargon-Busting: A Glossary of Theological Terms Page: 449
Sources of Citations Page: 456
Acknowledgments Page: 465
Index Page: 466
End User License Agreement Page: 480
Christian Theology: An Introduction, one of the most internationally-acclaimed Christian theology textbooks in use, has been completely rewritten for the 6th edition. It now features new and extended material and companion resources, ensuring it retains its reputation as the ideal introduction for students.
- A new edition of the bestselling Christian theology textbook to celebrate its 25th anniversary
- Rewritten throughout for exceptional clarity and accessibility, and adds substantial new material on the Holy Spirit
- Features increased coverage of postcolonial theology, and feminist theology, and prodigious development of world theology
- Increases the focus on contemporary theology to complement the excellent coverage of historical material
- A new 2-color design includes more pedagogical features including textboxes and sidebars to aid learning
- Expanded online resources for instructors and students available at www.wiley.com/go/mcgrath
