From Nicaea to Chalcedon: A Guide to the Literature and Its Background - Hardcover

Young, Frances M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0800607112 ISBN 13: 9780800607111

Publisher: Fortress Pr, 1983

Synopsis

Created as a companion guide to a Patristics textbook, From Nicaea to Chalcedon surveys a variety of writings to have occurred during one of the most significant periods in the formation of the Church, from 265-466. It does not aim to cover the subject as a textbook would, but aims to delve deeper into some of the characters who were involved with the Church or the Councils during this period.

Beginning with Eusebius of Caesarea and the first council of the Church at Nicaea, and ending with Theodoret of Cyrrhus, who is thought to have changed his view of Christology after the watershed Council of Chalcedon, this unique text surveys some of the most influential characters to have shaped Church history and the formation of doctrine. Surveying a mixture of significant literary figures, laymen, bishops and heretics this book presents biographical, literary-critical and theological information about each. They are chosen either because they are important to the history of doctrine, or because new material about them has thrown light upon their work, or because they will broaden the reader's understanding of the culture and history of the period or of live issues in the church at the time.

Structured in five parts, each part deals with a period of time and a sequence of characters, so the book is easily followed in chronological order. Added to this, is the double bibliography, which in this edition is fully updated. Bibliography A details those texts in English of the original texts of antiquity, whilst Bibliography B provides details of publications in English, French and German which have appeared since 1960-2004 on or about the characters discussed in the body of the text.

About this title

Review

Here is a book to which students, who are trying for the first time to come to terms with issues of the Christological controversy, can be directed with a reasonable hope that they will see not only that there was an argument, but that it was a real one, and that it still matters. All this is based on thorough knowledge, both wide and deep, of the relevant literature, ancient and modern. --Mark Santer in Theology

From the Back Cover

"Since its first appearance in 1983, From Nicaea to Chalcedon has been the best available introduction in English--for readers serious about patristic theology and early church history--to the crucially important personalities and theological works that dominated fourth- and fifth-century debate about Jesus' relationship to God and to us all. This new edition significantly expands and enriches that book and brings us face to face with the best of current scholarship on the period, yet it still retains the balance, breadth of scope, and critical good sense that has always made it so valuable. It is an indispensable guide for anyone wanting to get a clear view of the early development of classical Christian doctrine."--Brian E. Daley, SJ, University of Notre Dame

"In clear, elegant prose and with close attention to the original texts, the book opens a window for students onto not only Young's own views of the figures she covers but also a wide range of relevant scholarly debates and controversies. This thorough updating constitutes a deep revision of the original. We are anew in Young's debt!"--Lewis Ayres, Durham University

"The original edition of From Nicaea to Chalcedon was a standard work on the most illuminating Greek writers of the fourth and early fifth centuries. This new edition deserves to assume that status also. Since so much of this period has been reconstructed and rewritten over the last thirty years, a patrological-style handbook as produced here is most welcome."--D. H. Williams, Baylor University

"The original edition of From Nicaea to Chalcedon established itself immediately as the best introduction to the Greek patristic tradition in the golden age of the first four councils. This new edition surpasses the old, not only bringing it up to date after a quarter of a century of unprecedented scholarly activity, demonstrating an easy command of the shoal of new literature, but also introducing students to new approaches, some of which Young has herself pioneered. This is an indispensable work, revealing new insights on every page."--Andrew Louth, Durham University

Edition details

• Publisher: Fortress Pr
• Publication date: 1983
• ISBN 10: 0800607112
• ISBN 13: 9780800607111
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1