The Christian Tradition: A Historical and Theological Introduction

Description

Featuring an exceptionally lucid writing style and a holistic, integrated approach, The Christian Tradition: A Historical and Theological Introduction traces the history of Christianity across the world from its earliest origins up to the present. By connecting theological practices to historical developments, it helps students understand and appreciate how theological values and perspectives have grounded major figures and movements. Revealing the many ways that tradition, history, doctrine, and practice are in constant dialogue, The Christian Tradition offers a fascinating and balanced introduction to Christianity. PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES: Numerous visual aids, including more than fifteen maps, keep students engaged A master timeline at the beginning of the book and chapter-specific timelines provide historical context What to Expect segments give students a preview of the major concepts covered in each chapter Text boxes throughout offer in-depth looks at specific events, figures, and ideas Key terms are bolded at their first appearance, listed at the end of each chapter, and reviewed in a comprehensive glossary at the end of the book Conclusions sections at the end of each chapter remind students of the most important parts of the material they've just read Brief Contents Contents Maps Timelines Preface Acknowledgements A Christian Timelline Chapter 1: Introduction Introduction Christianity Christian Sources: The Wesleyan Quadrilateral The Bible as Authority Chapter 2: The Old Testament The Bible and History Genesis and the Creation of the World Genesis and the Patriarchs (18th Century BCE) Exodus (13th Century BCE) Judges (c. 1220-1020 BCE) Monarchy (c. 1020-586 BCE) and Other Dynasties Prophets Main Theological Themes and Developments in Ancient Israel Conclusions Chapter 3: Jesus and the New Testament The New Testament and How It Was Formed The Gospel of Jesus The Ministry of Jesus Conclusions Chapter 4: Christian Faith in the New Testament Introduction to the Rest of the New Testament Acts of the Apostles The Apostle Paul (c. 5-64 CE) Conclusions Chapter 5: Christianity Becomes a Religion From Judaism to Christianity WHat is Christianity Persecutions Apologists Conclusions Chapter 6: The Life of the Early Church From Apocalyptic to Eschatological Church as Center Moral Rigor Asceticism Consecrated Virginity Veneration of Saints Conclusions Chapter 7: The Imperial Church Constantine Councils and Dogmas Christological and Trinitarian Dogmas in Brief Church and State Patriarchal Sees Conclusions Chapter 8: The Great Fathers and The Quest for Union with God Background Fathers of the East Augustine (354-430 CE) and the West Conclusions Chapter 9: Christianity's Spiritual Life Monasticism Spiritual Practices and the Public Church Sacraments: Where Heaven and Earth Meet Conclusions Chapter 10: Expansion and Change in the East and North Egypt, Nubia, and Ethiopia Ethiopia The Church of the East Expansion of the Byzantine Church The Surging of Islam Conclusions Chapter 11: The Church and the Western Empire Reconstitution of the West Ireland, England, and Scandinavia Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire Considering Papal Developments Christianity and War Conclusions Chapter 12: Medieval Piety and the Rise of Universities Culture Shifts in Europe The Dominican Response The Franciscan Response Medieval Feminine Affective Piety Shrines, Miracles, and the Medieval Mind The Rise of the Universities Conclusions Chapter 13: The Renaissance From the Late Middle Ages to the Renaissance A Transformation of Culture Humanism and the Discovery of the Individual Southern Renaissance The Avignon Papacy, Conciliarism, and Renaissance Popes Northern Renaissance Voices of Reform Conclusions Chapter 14: The Reformation Background Lutheran Reformation Swiss Reformed Christianity The Radical Reformation The English Reformation Conclusions Chapter 15: The Catholic Reformation Counter-Reformation or Catholic Reformation Carmelites and Further Developments of Mysticism Ignatius of Loyola and the Society of Jesus The Council of Trent (1545-1563) Eastern Orthodoxy at the Time of Reformation Conclusions Chapter 16: The Enlightenment The Wars of Religion The Enlightenment Conclusions Chapter 17: Colonization and Missions The Christian Imperative to Convert Souls Africa The New World Reactions Against the Slave Trade The Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith Asia Conclusions Chapter 18: Christianity in the United States to the Civil War The American Colonies Pietism, Methodism, and the Evangelical Movement American Revivalism and Evangelicism The American Revolution and the Seperation of Church and State Catholics in America Millennialism and New Denominations Conclusions Chapter 19: Modern Challenges to Christianity The French Revolution and the Italian Risorgimento Atheism Evolution and the Scientific Worldview Biblical Criticism Church Responses to the Modern Challenges of Faith Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy: Russia and the Ottoman Decay Conclusions Chapter 20: The Rise of Evangelical and Pentacostal Christianity The Modern Evangelical Movement The Pentecostal Explosion Conclusions Chapter 21: Modern Faith and Future Trends Leaving Behind Eurocentrism The Growth of Christianity Worldwide The Christian Explosion in Africa South Korea Prophetic Liberating Theologies The Ecumenical Movement Reconsidering the Religious Other The Future of Christianity Conclusions Glossary of Key Terms Credits Index