The Encyclopedia of Christianity: Volume 4 is also available for your Libronix Digital Library.
Additional Details
Written by leading scholars from many countries and cultural backgrounds, the more than 1,700 articles in the complete Encyclopedia depict Christianity in its global context. Separate articles for every continent and for over 170 countries examine both the history and the current situation of the Christian faith worldwide. The Encyclopedia also portrays Christianity in its widest ecumenical context. Major articles detail Christianity’s rich spiritual and theological diversity in order to inform readers about religious traditions and perspectives beyond their own ecclesiastical frameworks.
In its portrayal of Christianity, the Encyclopedia also takes into account the current sociocultural context, including other world religions, secular philosophies, cultural trends, and modern political and economic forces. Covering such current topics as abortion, atheism, Islam, modernity, and psychoanalysis, these articles describe the multifarious settings in which the Christian church today must maintain a credible witness to the ancient gospel. Finally, the Encyclopedia presents Christianity in its rich historical context, starting with the biblical tradition and showing how the apostolic tradition developed and how the church has sought throughout history to keep faith with its traditions while engaging the world around it.
- Editors: Erwin Fahlbusch (editor), Jan Milic Lochman (editor), John Mbiti (editor), Jaroslav Pelikan (editor), Lukas Vischer (editor), Geoffrey W. Bromiley (English-language editor), David B. Barrett (statistical editor)
- Publishers: Eerdmans and Brill
- Publication Dates: 1998-2003
Praise for the Print Editions
- Editor's Choice from Reviews in Religion and Theology (1999; Volume 1)
- American Library Association 2000 Outstanding Reference Sources
Reviews and Praise
"The appearance of the Encyclopedia of Christianity is a major publishing event...Treatment of standard subjects in theology, Scripture, the history of Christianity, world religions, and contemporary ethics is superb." —Mark A. Noll, Wheaton College
"In a time when serious theological education is often lacking, this great reference work, basic and detailed at the same time, is of immense help for the study of theology, for practical church work, and for general education." —Hans Küng, University of Tübingen
"Not only reliable but interesting — a rare feat for an encyclopedia. Its range is very broad; at the same time the articles maintain considerable depth." —Robert M. Grant, University of Chicago Divinity School
"An outstanding international collegium of editors, consultants, and contributors has brought together a vast amount of information in an accessible, readable form in the Encyclopedia of Christianity." —Thomas C. Oden
"Eerdmans and Brill have teamed up to produce a timely and ambitious Encyclopedia of Christianity (EC) that brings together theology and the social sciences in a fresh and accessible format…. The 1,700 articles of the EC will be a treasure trove of information on Christian thought and the current Christian sociocultural context in Protestant perspective. It is useful for beginning scholars, laity, non-Christians, as well as scholars." —Ellen T. Charry in Theology Today
"This monumental work based on the German Evangelisches Kirchenlexikon features many enhancements and additions of special value to English speaking users…. When the five-volume set is complete it will form a fresh and comprehensive reference package on Christianity past and present. The work combines quality scholarship with accessibility for the ordinary user." —Anglican Journal (Canada)
"Articles cover a wide range of topics that will interest those studying Christianity, comparative religion, theology, and ethics…. Particularly helpful are articles on social movements (such as the civil rights movement): These, along with the statistical and cultural information, provide a cultural-critical emphasis instead of only disembodied ideas. The articles also cut across all branches of Christianity. Cross-references are easy to use, and the English translation is excellent. Should interest anyone who wants to emphasize both history and comparative religion when studying Christianity." —Religious Studies Review
"By all counts, EC looks to be the standard encyclopedia for some years to come…. It is a worthy investment for the serious theologian, because it will be the kind of resource that one will reach for first and often, both to explore new aspects of theology and to review old ones." —Concordia Journal
"For students and scholars needing quick access to reliable information on all manner of Christian subjects, this is certainly the tool to have…." —Dialogue & Alliance
"Large and impressive volume…. The layout is clear and uncluttered with unobtrusive cross-references and systematic exposition using frequent subheadings. Overall, a Herculean work of synthesis..." —Journal of Religious History
"This first volume sets the standard for reference works of this kind….This is possibly the best encyclopedic reference on Christianity." —Library Journal (starred review)
"This comprehensive work, while scholarly, is intended for a wide audience and will set the standard for reference works on Christianity." —American Libraries
"Broad, comprehensive, scholarly, and generally up to date. . . . " —Choice
"The quality of scholarship combined with the unique approach of providing global, ecumenical, sociocultural, and historical context makes this work an essential purchase." —Booklist
Samples from Table of Contents
These sample entries from Volume 1 give a sense of the range of topics and quality of scholarship included in each volume.
- James Barr Biblical Theology
- Hans Dieter Betz Corinthians, Epistles to the
- Edith L. Blumhofer Assemblies of God
- Geoffrey W. Bromiley Cranmer, Thomas
- James H. Cone Black Theology
- Edwin S. Gaustad Baptists, Christian Church; Churches of Christ; Churches of God
- Clifford Green Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
- Paulos Mar Gregorios Coptic Orthodox Church
- Norman A. Hjelm Christian Communication; Christian Publishing
- Anastasios Kallis Anaphora; Christology
- Bruce M. Metzger Bible Manuscripts and Editions
- Ekkehard Mühlenberg Apologists; Christology; Docetism
- Dietrich Ritschl Apostasy; Authority; Christology
- Peter Stuhlmacher Atonement
- Eugene TeSelle Augustine
You will also find:
- Articles on all but the smallest countries of the world, including the former communist nations that have gained independence since 1989
- The latest statistical information from David B. Barrett on the religious affiliation and ecclesiastical breakdown of each country and continent
- Articles on doctrines, denominations, and social and ethical issues in relation to the churches
- Biographical articles on prominent figures through church history
About the Editors
Erwin Fahlbusch
Jan Milic Lochman - (1922-2004) Retired as Rector of the University of Basel.
John Mbiti - John A. Mackay Professor of World Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Jaroslav Pelikan - The Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University, he is the author of more than thirty books, including Jesus Through the Centuries. He has received the Jefferson Award of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the highest honor conferred by the U.S. government on a scholar of the humanities.
Lukas Vischer - Professor emeritus of ecumenical theology at Evangelical Reformed Theological Faculty of Berne, Switzerland.
Geoffrey W. Bromiley - Professor emeritus of Church History and Historical Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is best known as the translator of numerous theological books, including the 9-volume Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.
David B. Barrett - Formerly an Anglican missionary in Africa, he is president of Global Evangelization Movement in Richmond, Virginia, and editor of the World Christian Encyclopedia.
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