Bibliotheca Symbolica Ecclesiae Universalis: The History of Creeds

By Philip Schaff

Book Overview

Bibliotheca Symbolica Ecclesiae Universalis: The History of Creeds offers a comprehensive exploration of the development and significance of creeds within the Christian tradition. Authored by Philip Schaff, this volume delves into the historical context, theological nuances, and ecumenical importance of various creeds across different eras and denominations.

Schaff meticulously examines the origins and evolution of key Christian symbols, providing readers with invaluable insights into the foundational beliefs that have shaped Christian identity. This work is an essential resource for theologians, historians, and anyone interested in the historical and theological underpinnings of Christian faith.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1149754737
• ISBN13: 9781149754733
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Nabu Press
• Length: 956 Pages
• Weight: 2.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A useful resource

The Creeds of Christendom (3 vols.) is an extremely useful resource for Priests or Pastors, or serious students of theology. Vol1 provides a wealth of material covering Church history providing especially the background details that caused a particular confession of faith to be crafted, and is detailed. I purchased the set to learn about the Hampton Court conference which began the process of producing the King James Bible, but the volumes are those kind of books you can dip into, and always learn another facet of Christian History - the purchase is worth every penny.

A Necessary Set for the Serious Christian Reader

This is a must read for the serious Christian reader. Schaff has left no stone unturned in this compilation of historical Christian Creeds. In fact, since Schaff was the consummate Christian historian of the 19th century, he approaches this set in a very historical way. The set itself is organized via a certain time frame that Schaff apparently had in mind (unless the publishers altered this in later editions). Schaff begins by covering what a creed actually is, and why creeds were necessary. This is a very helpful section for his reader. From here Schaff covers all the creeds that have been written over the course of church history beginning with the ecumenical creeds (i.e. the Apostle's creed, Nicene creed, etc.). Schaff then covers the creeds of the Greek Church, the Roman Church, the Evangelical Protestant Church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Evangelical Reformed Church (in all the countries that apply), the Modern Evangelical denominations (Congregational, Anabaptists, Calvinistic Baptists, Methodism, etc.). Each of these are covered in their own chapter and this is just volume 1 (WOW!). Volume 2 consists of the Scripture confessions , Ante-Nicene and Nicene Rules of Faith and Baptismal Creeds, greater detail and commentary on the Ecumenical, Greek, Roman, Russian, and Catholic Union Creeds. Volume 3 is more of what Schaff did not cover in volume 2, namely, the Evangelical Lutheran, Reformed, Modern Protestant, etc. Creeds. These are all covered in greater detail with commentary. Part four (of volume 3) is a modern (19th century for Schaff's day) look into the creeds that were being developed. Overall, this is a great set to own, and an invaluable reference tool that can be used many times over. Schaff was a wonderful historian and this work is among his best. Keep in mind though that Schaff was distinctively Protestant and this set will give you his Protestant opinion and assessment of the Roman Catholic Church. However, if you are wanting a powerful assessment of some of the problems that have troubled Protestants regarding Roman Catholicism, then you will get that in this set. I highly recommend this set as a great reference work.

illuminating and inspiring

I couldn't believe there existed so much information on this subject. I'm a student of the humanities and this is right up my alley. The inclusion of original documents in Greek and Latin have made this book a relic. One should feel gratified that through this book one can own a piece of history. I have read many books on history and I can assertively say this is one of the best. Imagine, why read a book on christian history when you can go straight to the source and discover for yourself. I thank goodness there are people who still care about publishing such important things.

Explanation of Content and praise of comprehensiveness

Philip Schaff, the acknowledged "father" of American church history, has brought together in one place nearly all the confessional statements from the history of Christian orthodoxy. This three volume set of over 2400 pages, with a helpful table of contents and extensive indices, is divided thusly: Vol I, The History of Creeds; Vol. II, the Greek and Latin Creeds; Vol. III, The Evangelical Protestant Creeds. Volumes II and III contain the Creeds in their original language (Greek, Latin, French, Duth, English), with an English translation en fas. This set is a must for every serious student of church history, and has endured for over a century because of its thoroughness, fine prose style, and impartial tone. Highly recommended.