This account of Christian thinking starts with Jesus of Nazareth's teaching and then describes how its reception has changed over the last 2,000 years.
This account of Christian thinking starts with Jesus of Nazareth's teaching and then describes how its reception has changed over the last 2,000 years.
Christian education (general), Christianity (general), History
Christian Thinking through the Ages takes its reader on a journey through 2,000 years of ideas. It starts with Jesus of Nazareth's teaching, looks at speculation about Jesus himself and his significance, and describes the attempts to establish uniformity of belief both in the Roman Empire and in the late Middle Ages.
It describes the thinking of medieval monks, schoolmen and friars, of the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment, and goes on to show how the twentieth century’s political horrors led to new theological ideas, most of which have yet to trickle down to the mass of Christians.
Concluding with an explanation of the various ways Christian churches disagree with each other, Christian Thinking through the Ages nonetheless ends with the hopeful thought that what Christians have in common and can share with others are 'the words of Jesus and his sacrifice'.
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Christians reading this book may well feel that its concentration on Jesus's teaching and that of his followers results in losing sight of his 'person' as the human face of God. It is, nevertheless, a lucid account of theological trends and controversies over the centuries, and it bears all the hallmarks of an experienced teacher of history. ~ The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Lord Chartres, GCVO, ChStJ, PC, FSA, FBS, former Bishop of London
This little book is a colourful mosaic of the great Christian tradition. Its profound learning is both lively and readable. Balanced and open-minded, it will stimulate the faithful and encourage the not-so-faithful — altogether a remarkable achievement. ~ Dr Peter Newman Brooks, Life Fellow, Robinson College, Cambridge
David Arnold has a wonderful capacity for undertaking extensive research into historical and theological literature, and representing it in a manner accessible to all. His style is easy and straightforward, making acquiring knowledge an exciting adventure. ~ The Revd Canon Derek Tansill, former Vicar of Horsham and Chaplain to Chichester Cathedral
I am delighted to recommend this clear and enlightened history of Christian thought. David Arnold begins with Jesus Christ and leads us through the ages, through the twists and turns of history to the present day, explaining with great clarity how the faith was affected by the times and reflecting on where Christian thought is going now. ~ The Revd Alan Mayer, formerly Rector of St Mary's, Oxted, Surrey, and author of several books including A Grand Tour of Faith, Life, and Time, and Zen Questions for Christians
Christian Thinking through the Ages is an outstanding and exceptional book, which brings coherence to a complex history of ideas and controversy. I wish it had been available some fifty years ago when I was studying theology at university ~ Hilary Anslow, OBE, former Principal of King George V College, Southport
This book’s chapters deftly and expertly trace the distinct epochs of Christian thought. There is an unstinting and illuminating focus on the significance of Christ as teacher and an accompanying alertness to the instructional potential of epistles, commentaries and other text types in the Christian tradition. ~ Roger Dalrymple, Professor of Practice in Lifelong Learning and Senior Research Fellow in Education, Regent’s Park College, Oxford
This is an impressive book - impressive for its great breadth of knowledge, its lucidity in handling complex issues, its ever sensible and fair-minded judgment, and its humaneness. But it is most impressive for its coherence between the author’s account in the first chapter of his own developing Christianity over his life and his approach to most of the great Christian writers in history. ~ Henry Mayr-Harting, Emeritus Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History, University of Oxford.
This lucid history of Christianity’s Big Ideas, from the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth to the literal interpretation of the Bible by Evangelical Christians, sheds light on the great conundrums the faithful have had to contend with, over 2000 years. What is meant by “God is Love”? Does the Divine transcend gender, or is God a woman? What was the purpose of the crucifixion? David Arnold does not presume to know all the answers, but the quest he leads us on is satisfying nonetheless. ~ Cristina Odone, former Editor of the Catholic Herald
At a time when many thoughtful people no longer believe that Christian thought could make any real difference to their life, one or two may hesitate and reflect that just possibly it may be a mistake to commit two millennia of Christian wisdom to the dustbin. Entertainingly and lucidly David Arnold will, in this compendium, take the reader through the amazing and often bewildering legacy of Jesus of Nazareth and his interpreters who, like it or not, have laid the foundations of our threatened civilization. If that feels too daunting, just to read the author's personal prologue will, I predict, make you dive in. ~ Revd Canon Dr Paul Oestreicher, OBE, former Director of the International Centre for Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral
The real excitement of reading Christian Thinking through the Ages comes from discovering it is not what you expected. It is neither a complete history nor an apology for the Christian faith. It is neither purely intellectual nor cloyingly evangelical. Written by an academic, teaching historian, it is a helpful compilation of the main thrusts of Christian theological exploration down 2000 years and more. It comes to grips with the threads of thought which keep reappearing in different colours to produce a whole, but unfinished, tapestry. David Arnold has done this in a very accessible way and the book will be invaluable to would be theologians as well as to many others who simply want to go beyond simplistic answers to the questions which Christianity poses. However, to call the book merely a helpful compendium of thought would not do it full justice. Arnold writes in such an easy and personal way that the reader becomes aware of being invited on to a pilgrimage, where the journey is more important than the destination. By the end of the book, this reader felt he was part of the story and was being encouraged to go on exploring. ~ Rt Revd Michael Turnbull, CBE, former Bishop of Durham
