Christian History - An Introduction - by Alister E McGrath (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A major new introduction to the global history of Christianity, written by one of the world's leading theologians and author of numerous bestselling textbooks.

• Provides a truly global review by exploring the development of Christianity and related issues in Asia, Latin America and Africa, and not just focusing on Western concerns
• Spanning more than two millennia and combining elements of theology, history, and culture, it traces the development of all three branches of Christianity - Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox - providing context to Christianity's origins and its links to Judaism
• Looks beyond denominational history at Christianity's impact on individuals, society, politics, and intellectual thought, as well as on art, architecture, and the natural sciences
• Combines McGrath's acute historical sensibility with formidable organizational skill, breaking the material down into accessible, self-contained historical periods
• Offers an accessible and student-oriented text, assuming little or no advance theological or historical knowledge on the part of the reader

From the Back Cover

Written by one of the world's leading theologians and the author of numerous bestselling textbooks, this comprehensive textbook explores over two millennia of Christian history. Accessibly structured by historical period, and informed by the latest research, it goes beyond a simple denominational history in analyzing the impact of Christianity as a social, political, and intellectual phenomenon, as well as its legacy on art, architecture, and the natural sciences.

Tracing the development of all three branches of Christianity - Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox - and providing context to Christianity's origins and its links to Judaism, the book adopts a truly global perspective. McGrath extends his focus beyond the West to explore the expansion of Christianity and related issues across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Combined with coverage of theology, history, and culture, this global viewpoint will ensure Christian History: An Introduction will be a valuable addition to the field and to any student's bookshelf.

Review Quotes

"As a work giving an introductory overview of historical theology and lived Christianity in a wider social and intellectual context, the work is excellent --useful for introductory orientation to specific topics (with a meticulously subdivided table of contents and subheads throughout)--and helpful for seeing longer through-lines and deeper continuities than one would see in more narrowly focused works." (Journal of Religious History, 6 December 2015)

"This book, ideal for seminarians but also for the non-professional Christian, is an incredible resource for helping Christians understand where our faith comes from, how it has developed and spread and survived as long as it has. Ultimately, this book is a great picture of the story of God working to advance his kingdom in the midst of broken humanity." (Tom-farr.blogspot.com, 1 August 2013)

About the Author

Alister E. McGrath is Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education at King's College London, UK, and head of its Centre for Theology, Religion, and Culture. Prior to his current post, he was Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University, UK. One of the world's leading theologians, he is the author of some of the most widely used textbooks on theology, including the bestselling Christian Theology: An Introduction (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), now in its fifth edition, and Historical Theology, second edition (Wiley-Blackwell, 2012). He is much in demand as a speaker at conferences around the world.