From Dogma to History: How Our Understanding of the Early Church Developed

by William H.C. Frend

A renowned theologian examines the work of the six scholars who shaped his career. A companion book to Frend's "The Early Church", it shows the evolution of his thought throughout his career. Including precis of the thoughts of: Adolf von Harnack, Hans Lietzmann, Stephane Gsell, Sir William Ramsay, Mgr Louis Duchesne and Norman Baynes, it will appeal to acadamics and interested lay persons.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0334029082
• ISBN13: 9780334029083
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: SCM Press
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A gentle tour

Frend casts his eye back over his life and gives his view on some fo the most important figures who have contributed to the reconciliation of archaeological and historical study to areas traditionally viewed as particular to the work of theologians. Frend sees himself very much in the spirit of this tradition, although he modestly confers praise on its most distinguished exponents, often putting his own contributions to one side. Frend's semi-autobiographical moments are most interesting: we learn of his experience Germany where he operated for the British foreign office in the aftermath of the war: before it, he went to learn under the direct auspices of Hans Lietzmann himself. Frend contextualises his interest in the most important matters of ancient religious history as a young man against the backdrop of the contemporary desperation he lived through- which, as we know was not without its religious significance. Frend is a kind writer and a kind man, but he can produce a turn of phrase to excite and his accounts of his archaeological adventures in Algeria are most readable because of this. Anyone interested in learning of the personality and character and personal history of one of the great religious historians of the twentieth century should read this book. Even if Frend is not always right in his other books, his studies are always important and here we have a window into the passion for his subject which throughout his life propelled him to write his intricate studies.