a companion to wayne grudem’s systematic theology
Historical Theology
An Introduction to Christian Doctrine
Foreword by Wayne Grudem
Gregg r. Allison
Historical Theology
Copyright © 2011 by Gregg R. Allison
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Allison, Gregg R.
Historical theology: an introduction to Christian doctrine: a companion to Wayne Grudem’s Systematic theology / Gregg R. Allison.
p. cm.
Includes indexes.
ISBN 978-0-310-23013-7 (hardcover)
1. Theology, Doctrinal—History. I. Title.
BT21.3.A44 2011
230.09--dc22
2010034658
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Cover design: Tammy Johnson
Cover photography: age fotostock/SuperStock
Interior design: Mark Sheeres and Matthew Van Zomeren
This book is dedicated to my three children,
whom God gave to my wife, Nora, and me—
Lauren Marie Schneringer,
Hanell Joy Schuetz,
and Luke Winford Allison
—three wonderful blessings in my life
as I was writing this book.
As committed followers of Jesus Christ, you are heirs
to the evangelical legacy
described in the following pages,
members of the great company of saints
whose study of Scripture, careful thinking,
fight against heresy, prayer,
worship, perseverance in the truth,
love for Christ, labor in the church,
and yielding to the Holy Spirit
led to the development of the evangelical doctrines
that you now embrace, and that embrace you.
May you follow the way of this truth throughout your life—
until you go to be with Jesus, or he comes for his church—
redeemed by the One who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
ABBREVIATIONS AND SOURCE REFERENCES
Chapter 1. Introduction to Historical Theology
THE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD OF GOD
Chapter 2. The Canon of Scripture
Chapter 3. The Inspiration of Scripture
Chapter 4. The Authority of Scripture
Chapter 5. The Inerrancy of Scripture
Chapter 6. The Clarity of Scripture
Chapter 7. The Sufficiency and Necessity of Scripture
Chapter 8. The Interpretation of Scripture
Chapter 9. The Existence and Knowability of God
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About Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian DoctrineMost 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. |
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