An Introduction to Christianity for a New Millennium

by Sinclair, Scott Gambrill

• ISBN13: 9780739124666
• ISBN10: 0739124668
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-02-28
• Publisher: Lexington Books

Summary

Without presupposing prior knowledge this accessibly written introduction to Christianity covers the entire history of the religion from its Old Testament foundations up to the present, including the significant individuals, events, doctrines, and rituals of the faith. Sinclair surveys the major historical forms of Christianity (Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism) and the contemporary issues that divide Christians today (e.g., homosexuality). The book also tackles such difficult topics as the origin and relevance of biblical prophecy, the historicity and significance of the miracles of Jesus (and the resurrection), combining evolution and biblical faith, and producing an intellectually coherent explanation of the Trinity and the Incarnation. Throughout the book, Sinclair carefully explains what he himself believes as a contemporary critical Christian and why, and provides readers with enough information to form their own independent opinions. He also acknowledges the dark side of Christian history--the crusades, anti-Semitism, the wars between Catholics and Protestants, the forced imposition of Christianity on native peoples--even as he celebrates the spiritual depth and dazzling cultural achievements of the largest religion in the world.

Table of Contents

Creation in Genesis 1-2 and Subsequent Christian Thought	p. 1
The Fall, Noah, and the Understanding of "Sin" in Christian Tradition	p. 7
The Patriarchs and the Nature of Faith in Christian Tradition	p. 11
The Exodus and the Understanding of God in Christian Tradition	p. 15
Israel under the Judges and Kings; God as Visible in History	p. 21
Biblical Prophecy	p. 27
Biblical Wisdom, especially Job; Is God Just?	p. 33
Israel from the Exile until Jesus; Life after Death in Christian Tradition	p. 37
A Sketch of Jesus' Life and Personality	p. 43
The Birth of Jesus and the Doctrine of the Incarnation	p. 49
The Baptism of Jesus and Baptism in Church History	p. 53
The Teaching of Jesus	p. 59
The Miracles of Jesus and Their Significance	p. 65
The Eucharist in the Life of Jesus and Subsequently	p. 73
The Death of Jesus and the Doctrine of the Atonement	p. 81
The Historical Problem of Whether Jesus Rose from the Dead	p. 91
The Significance of the Resurrection for the Early Church	p. 97
The Taking of the Gospel to the Gentiles; Paul	p. 103
Who Was Jesus and How Can We Know? John's Gospel	p. 111
The Patristic Era	p. 117
Monasticism	p. 125
Three Major Types of Christianity	p. 129
The Challenge of Modernity	p. 141
The Feminine in Christian Tradition	p. 147
Post-European Christianity	p. 155
Index	p. 159
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.