The First Christian Theologians An Introduction to Theology in the Early Church

by Evans, G. R.

• ISBN13: 9780631231875
• ISBN10: 0631231870
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-06-07
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

The First Christian Theologians offers a comprehensive introduction to the theology of the early Church through an accessible and lively examination of the major individual theologians of the time. This is a book about the earliest individual Christian theologians and those who entered into dialogue with them. It is also about the complexity of the process by which a ls"Christian theologyrs" came into existence. It begins with the earliest Christian writings, moves through the development of the early Church, examines the rival traditions to Christianity, and explores the work of the key Christian theologians in both the West and the East, ending at the important Council of Chalcedon. Drawing on contributions from an international team of leading academics, and edited by G. R. Evans, this volume is indispensable reading for undergraduate students who need a readable and accessible introduction to the theology and history of the early Christian church.

Author Biography

G. R. Evans is Professor of Medieval Theology and Intellectual History at the University of Cambridge. She is the author of numerous, critically-acclaimed books in the fields of patristic, medieval and Reformation history and theology, including Augustine on Evil (1982), Problems of Authority in the Reformation Debates (1992), The Church and the Churches (1994), Philosophy and Theology in the Middle Ages (1993), Law and Theology in the Middle Ages (2002), and Anselm (1989). G. R. Evans is also the author of A Brief History of Heresy (2003), and the editor of The Medieval Theologians (2000), also in the Great Theologians series, both published by Blackwell.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Notes on Contributors	xi
List of Abbreviations	xv
Introduction
G.R. Evans	1	(14)
Part I THE BIBLE
1 The First Christian Writings
John W. Rogerson	15	(9)
2 The Interpretation of Scripture
Frances Young	24	(17)
Part II THE CHURCH
3 The Early Idea of the Church
Stuart G. Hall	41	(17)
4 The Early Church in the World
G.R. Evans	58	(7)
5 The Imperial Ecclesiastical Lawgivers
Clarence Gallagher, SJ	65
Part III RIVAL TRADITIONS: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND JUDAISM
6 Philo of Alexandria
David T. Runia	77	(8)
7 Christian Theology and Judaism
Paula Fredriksen and Judith Lieu	85	(20)
Part IV RIVAL TRADITIONS: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND SECULAR PHILOSOPHY
8 Christian Theology and Secular Philosophy
John M. Rist	105	(10)
9 Justin Martyr
Eric Osborn	115	(6)
10 Irenaeus of Lyons
Eric Osborn	121	(6)
11 Clement of Alexandria
Eric Osborn	127	(5)
12 Origen
Rowan Williams	132	(11)
13 Tertullian
Eric Osborn	143	(7)
14 The Hermetica
G.R. Evans	150	(7)
Part V THE MATURING OF EARLY CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY IN EAST AND WEST
15 Athanasius and the Arian Crisis
Rowan Williams	157	(11)
16 The Cappadocians
Morwenna Ludlow	168	(18)
17 Pseudo-Dionysius and Maximus the Confessor
Janet P. Williams	186	(15)
18 The Syriac Tradition
David G.K. Taylor	201	(24)
19 Ambrose
Boniface Ramsey	225	(9)
20 Jerome
G.R. Evans	234	(4)
21 Augustine of Hippo
G.R. Evans	238	(5)
22 Eutyches, Nestorius, and Chalcedon
G.R. Evans	243
Conclusion: The End of an Era?
G.R. Evans	248	(3)
Consolidated List of Sources	251	(9)
Index of References	260	(7)
General Index	267