Pocket History of Theology

By Adam C. English and Roger E. Olson

Book Overview

"The story of Christian theology does not begin at the beginning. . . .Theology is the church's reflection on the salvation brought by Christ and on the gospel of that salvation proclaimed and explained by the first-century apostles."

Here is a concise and informative guide to the history of Christian theology. This condensation of Roger Olson's widely acclaimed The Story of Christian Theology surveys the events, teachings and challenges to the Christian faith down through the ages. In five acts we are ushered from the second to the twenty-first century following all the twists and turns, wrinkles and rivalries that lay along that wonderful and humble way of Christian faith seeking understanding, articulation and explanation.

Crafted for students, pastors and other busy people, this pocket history of theology provides a clear and informed guide to the central tenets of Christian faith and the internal threats and external challenges it has faced and continues to confront even today.

Designed for students and pastors alike, the short and accessible volumes in the IVP Pocket Reference Series will help you tackle the study of biblical languages, church history, apologetics, world religions, Christian spirituality, ethics, theology, and more.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830827048
• ISBN13: 9780830827046
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.4" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

A Quick and Interesting Read

This little book was a quick read at a little over 100 pages. I particularly enjoyed the attention given to the formulation of early Christian doctrine and the development of Orthodoxy. With all the dogmas out there and everyone claiming that thiers is authentic it can be hard to know who's telling the truth. The authors point out that before the council of Nicea church unity was hard to come by, however the fundamnetal doctrines such as the diety of Christ and the nature of the atonement were never in question. The council of Nicea unified the bishops and marginalized the fringes of the faith by identifying heresies such as the Gnostics and Modalists. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone interested in understanding the roots of modern theology.

Easy read

This is an abridged version of a larger work. Quick read. Gives a good high-level overview of history. Made me interested in getting the unabridged version to learn even more.

Great for those wading itno theology!

Excellent summary of complex issues, and complicate history, and written well, with the non-professional in mind. Footnotes to work - and a good index. Definitely a good investment of time and money for freshmen theologians!