The History of Christian Thought - Softcover

Hill, Jonathan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745950930 ISBN 13: 9780745950938

Publisher: Lion Books, 2003

Synopsis

What exactly is Christian thought? And why should we be bothered about its history? Jonathan Hill argues that studying the history of Christian thought is both important and fascinating. For Christians, it helps in understanding why Christianity teaches the things that it does. For those who are not particularly religious, it is of interest because Christianity has played such a key part in the development of Western civilization. People like Augustine, Aquinas and Luther have shaped the very fabric of modern society. The History of Christian Thought introduces the reader to the most influential theologians of Christian faith, placing them in their historical context, bringing them to life as people and explaining the key points of their thought.

About this title

Review:

This is an enormous subject, tackled in a lively and accessible way. Beginning with the Greek philosophers and the rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire, Hill follows the faith through great eras like the Reformation and the Enlightenment, right up to existentialism and postmodernism, telling Christianity's story through its great figures and theologians. His goal is to 'help the reader understand and sympathise' with those thinkers who have both reached up to God themselves, or felt the hand of God on their shoulders. As such the book acts as a biographical reference work for figures of the stature of Luther, Calvin, Tillich and Barthes. And if you wanted to know how the Second Vatican Council differed from the first, this book will tell you.

About the Author:

JONATHAN HILL has a first class degree in Philosophy and Theology (top of year) from Oxford University and an MPhil in Theology also from Oxford. He has worked in a freelance editorial and writing capacity since leaving Oxford in 1997, and is currently working on Sky News. Jonathan has been highly acclaimed for his keen grasp of theology and philosophy, his engaging writing style and his ability to make often complex subjects accessible to all. Jonathan's books include The Big Questions, The New Lion Handbook: The History of Christianity and The Crucible of Christianity.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lion Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0745950930
• ISBN 13: 9780745950938
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352