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Exploring Christian Thought: Nelson's Christian Cornerstone Seriesx$8.46
 (2 reviews)
Best Price: $8.46
From Augustine to Aquinas, the early church fathers to the charismatic movement, Exploring Christian Thought introduces you to the thinkers and writings that have shaped Christian history and much of Western culture. Exploring Christian Thought offers a succinct introduction to over 100 influential thinkers and important events in the church, including the creation of the creeds, schisms and controversies, and the development of theology and doctrines.
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Customer Reviews
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Great Survey of Christian Theological Thought
By on 1998-06-27
This is a wonderful survey of Christian Theological Thought from ancient times to the present. Tony Lane writes in an engaging style and hits all of the high points. The various (100 or so) Theologians discussed have their ideas exemplified by short pertinent quotations. Although each discussion is, by necessity, short, I found this volume to be an invaluable reference in my own Theological studies as a way of putting into perspective various periods, issues, etc. that I was only peripherally studying. Well worth the read!
A wonderful, short history of Christian thought
By A1VCEGYRVHH8SN on 2005-05-18
I'm almost finished with this book, but I've already been recommending this book to people. Although this book has a good deal of church history, it is not a church history book so it may be helpful to supplement your reading with another good church history book. (My favorite is "Church History In Plain Language" by Bruce Shelley
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0849938619/103-1572103-3320655
or if that's too long for you, a nice supplemental reference is Zondervan's "Chronological and Background Charts of Church History" by Robert Walton
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310362814/ref=sib_rdr_dp/103-1572103-3320655
although that one is not a good stand alone church history reference.)
Any ways, Tony Lane is great at encapsulating key people and events in church history and explaining how they significantly contributed to the different aspects of Christian beliefs as well as their contribution at different points in history. You'll read about the discussions through the ages from issues regarding the trinity and the reliability of scripture to others like the role of communion and baptism. The events and people are grouped in logical sections, although you won't always find them in chronological order, which is fine if you pay attention to the dates.
Tony also does a good job of presenting the different sides of various debates as fairly as possible. However, he's also not afraid to interject his own judgement calls when absolutely necessary. I especially appreciated this aspect of this book because it can be difficult to know which side of which debate to believe without a third party's opinion. This is a tough balance to hold, but I think Tony does a great job because even during those rare instances when he interjects his judgement call, he gives clear reasons why based on insights from other Christians in church history. Even then, you as the reader are equipped to make your own decisions based on the material.
Another great aspect of the book is that almost every chapter has excerpts from the actual writings of either the person or from the event discussed. The only thing that I can think of that would make this book better is if it had an index to reference different topics, places, and people.
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