Heretics for Armchair Theologians
Overview
In this unique Armchair volume, noted church historians Justo and Catherine Gonzalez introduce readers to important early church figures whose teachings were denounced by the church as heresies. Instructional for what they taught and for revealing what the church wished to safeguard and uphold, these “heretics,” including Marcion, Arius, Nestorius, and Pelagius, are engagingly presented in their contexts through a clear and accessible text that is highlighted by the humorous illustrations of Ron Hill. Heretics for Armchair Theologians is an enjoyable way to learn about the church’s early life and beliefs.
In the Logos edition, this valuable volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Discusses and analyzes heresies and their founders throughout Christian history
- Offers knowledge from field experts in a simple and playful presentation
- Features witty illustrations by Ron Hill
Top Highlights
“What is a heretic? Put in a nutshell, a heretic is one whose teachings the church at large considers erroneous and even dangerous to the faith. The problem is that, precisely because it is difficult to determine who ‘the church at large’ is, it is equally difficult to determine who is a heretic.” (Page 2)
“This notion that Jesus did not have a real human body is usually called Docetism, from a Greek word that means ‘to appear’ or ‘to seem’: Jesus seemed to be a human, with a physical human body, but this was mere appearance.” (Page 38)
“Chronologically, our list will be limited to those heretics who lived up to the time of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Chalcedon in 451. Theologically, our list will be limited to those whose views that, from the perspective of the vast majority of Christian leaders then and throughout the ages, threatened the very core of Christian faith.” (Page 3)
“Like the gnostics, Marcion did not believe Jesus came from the god of Israel, nor that he was truly born or that he had a truly human body. According to Marcion, Jesus was from a superior god who had nothing to do with creation and matter. The god of Israel existed, and was indeed responsible for the creation of this world and all material reality. That creation, however, was not a good thing for Marcion, as stated in the previous chapter.” (Page 46)
“Wherever rationalism is a strong influence in theology, Ebionite or adoptionist views are likely to appear” (Page 28)
- Title: Heretics for Armchair Theologians
- Authors: Catherine Gunsalus Gonzalez and Justo L. Gonzalez
- Series: W. J. K. Armchair
- Publisher: Westminster John Knox
- Publication Date: 2008
- Pages: 176
- Resource Type: Biographies, Introductions
- Topic: Heresy
Catherine Gunsalus Gonzalez is professor emerita of church history at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.
Justo L. Gonzalez is a noted and prolific historian of Christian thought and the author of many books, including Essential Theological Terms, and The Apostles’ Creed for Today. He is also editor of The Westminster Dictionary of Theologians, published by W. J. K..
Reviews
1 rating
Tim Kuhn
5/19/2022
Only part way into this one. The authors seem to stress the point, repeating it a few times, that the early heretics were believers who were just trying to figure it out and ask questions. Reading this is giving me the impression that the early heretics weren’t bad, they were just mixed up a little. Next chapter goes into a group that believed Jesus wasn’t God. I will keep reading but with caution. If ‘believers’ deny Jesus is God, they are not believers who are asking questions. So far I’m not impressed with this one, it’s my least favorite in the series so far. Update 5/19 Finished the book. The author's conclusion seems to be that the heretics weren't bad people, they were people who loved God and were too right about a doctrine. It doesn't matter that they deny the deity of Jesus, they were good people! The book had some good information but it felt like the author was defending the heretics more than pointing out their error. Not a book I would recommend. "Finally, we must remember that most of the heretics discussed in this book were not bad people. They were not trying to invent new doctrine simply to cause a disturbance. They were people whose love of God and of the Christian faith led them to inquire into a number of issues and to propose answers and solutions that the church at large found inadequate. Justo L. González and Catherine Gunsalus González, Heretics for Armchair Theologians, First edition., Armchair Theologians Series (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008), 159."
