Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine

by Gregg R. Allison

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2011

Overview

Most historical theology texts follow Christian beliefs chronologically, discussing notable doctrinal developments for all areas of theology according to their historical appearance. And while this may be good history, it can make for confusing theology, with the classic theological loci scattered throughout various time periods, movements, and controversies.

In Historical Theology, Gregg Allison offers students the opportunity to study the historical development of theology according to a topical-chronological arrangement, setting out the history of Christian doctrine one theological element at a time. Such an approach allows readers to concentrate on one tenet of Christianity and its formulation in the early church, through the Middle Ages, Reformation, and post-Reformation era, and into the modern period. The text includes a generous mix of primary source material as well, citing the words of Cyprian, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Barth, and others. Allison references the most accessible editions of these notable theologians’ work so that readers can continue their study of historical theology through Christian history’s most important contributors. Historical Theology is a superb resource for those familiar with Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology or interested in understanding the development of Christian theology.

Key Features

• Foreword by Wayne Grudem
• Historical development of theology
• Glossary of major church leaders, writings, and movements

Contents

Top Highlights

“Historical theology is the study of the interpretation of Scripture and the formulation of doctrine by the church of the past.” (Page 23)

“A second benefit of historical theology is that it provides sound biblical interpretations and theological formulations.” (Page 24)

“A third benefit of historical theology is that it presents stellar examples of faith, love, courage, hope, obedience, and mercy.” (Page 25)

“A fifth benefit of historical theology is that it not only helps the church understand the historical development of its beliefs, but enables it to express those beliefs in contemporary form.” (Page 27)

“A seventh benefit of historical theology is that it gives the church hope by providing assurance that Jesus is fulfilling his promise to his people.” (Page 28)

Product Details

• Title: Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine
• Author: Gregg R. Allison
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2011
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Pages: 784
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Theology, doctrinal › History
• ISBNs: 9780310496601, 9780310230137, 0310496608, 0310230136
• Resource ID: LLS:HISTTHEOINTRO
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:31:33Z

About Gregg R. Allison

Dr. Allison comes to Southern from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, where he had taught theology and church history for nine years. He has also served as adjunct faculty at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL; Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL; Judson College, Elgin, IL; and Institute of Biblical Studies, Western Europe. Dr. Allison has 18 years of ministry experience as a staff member of Campus Crusade, where he worked in campus ministry as well as a missionary to Italy and Switzerland. He also co-pastored a church in Lugano, Switzerland. He is author of Getting Deep: Understand What You Believe About God and Why and Jesusology: Understand What You Believe About Jesus and Why, and he has five articles in The Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions. He is currently the book review editor for theological, historical, and philosophical studies, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, a position in which he has served for the last seven years. Dr. Allison is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society in which he serves on the editorial and membership committees and regularly presents papers at its national meetings.