The Genesis of Doctrine: A Study in the Foundation of Doctrinal Criticism

by Alister McGrath

Publishers:

Eerdmans; Regent College Publishing

, 1997

Overview

What is doctrine? How can a doctrinal statement made in the past have any authority in the modern period? How should doctrinal statements be evaluated and criticized? These questions are of central importance to Christian theology and have important consequences for the church. In the course of its extensive historical and theological analysis, this study presents a detailed investigation of the development of Christian doctrine and the nature of doctrine itself.

This groundbreaking study, based on the prestigious 1990 Bampton Lectures delivered at Oxford University, explores the reasons why doctrine is a necessary aspect of Christian existence and examines some of the factors that govern its development.

Alister E. McGrath begins with a critical engagement with the views of George Lindbeck on the nature of doctrine before moving on to present a fresh understanding of the nature and function of Christian doctrine within the church. Particular attention is paid to the way in which doctrine acts as a demarcator between communities of faith, allowing important insights to contemporary ecumenical debates.

McGrath also explores the critically important issue of the authority of the past in Christian theology, focusing especially on the manner in which doctrine serves as a means of maintaining continuity with the past heritage of the Christian tradition. The book represents an exploration of a “middle way” in relation to the significance of Christian doctrine, rejecting both those approaches that insist on the uncritical repetition of the doctrinal heritage of the past and those that reject the authority of past doctrinal formulations. McGrath concludes his work by considering whether doctrine has a future within the church, and he answers this question in the affirmative on the basis of a number of important theological and cultural considerations.

Key Features

• Explains the historical significance of doctrine
• Explores the role of historical doctrine in the contemporary church
• Examines doctrine as a distinguishing characteristic of Christian communities

Praise for the Print Edition

Alister McGrath’s careful study of the genesis of doctrine sets this complex issue in a balanced Christian context . . . The clarity with which McGrath introduces the differences between theology and doctrine and distinguishes academic theology and the theology of the church, are helpful and dispel a good deal of careless generalization. A helpful book for anyone who is trying to sharpen theological understanding and expression.

—The Living Church

Product Details

• Title: The Genesis of Doctrine: A Study in the Foundations of Doctrine Criticism
• Author: Alister McGrath
• Publishers: Eerdmans, Regent College Publishing
• Print Publication Date: 1997
• Logos Release Date: 2015
• Pages: 276
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Dogma; Authority › Religion; Dogma, development of
• ISBNs: 9780802843166, 1573830720, 0802843166, 9781573830720
• Resource ID: LLS:GNSSDCTRNCRTCSM
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:53:09Z

About Alister McGrath

Alister McGrath (Ph.D.) is a scholar and writer who is presently Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University. After his initial studies in natural science at Oxford, taking a doctorate in molecular biophysics under the supervision of Prof Sir George Radda, McGrath moved into the field of Christian theology. He was Oxford’s Professor of Historical Theology from 1999 to 2008. He then moved to King’s College London as Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education, before returning to Oxford as Idreos Professor in 2014. He also served as Gresham Professor of Divinity, a position established in 1597, from 2015-18. He retired in September 2022.

He is best known for his definitive and widely used textbooks on Christian theology and his authoritative biography of C. S. Lewis. As a former atheist, McGrath is fascinated by the interaction of faith, science, and atheism, and writes regularly on these themes. McGrath was born in Belfast in 1953, and holds both Irish and British citizenship. He lives in the Cotswolds near Oxford.

For McGrath’s website, including details of his weekly Youtube postings and videos helping you use his theology textbooks, go to alistermcgrath.net