Heresy - by Alister McGrath (Paperback)

About the Book

A leading religion and church history expert reveals the surprising history of heresy and argues that the church must continue to defend what is true about Jesus.

Book Synopsis

Why the Church must defend the truth.

Our ongoing fascination with alternative Christianities is ondisplay every time a never-before-seen gospel text is revealed, an archaeological discovery about Jesus makes front-page news, or anew work of fiction challenges the very foundations of the church.Now, in a timely corrective to this trend, renowned church historianAlister McGrath examines the history of subversive ideas, overturningcommon misconceptions that heresy is somehow more spiritual orliberating than traditional dogma. In so doing, he presents a powerful, compassionate orthodoxy that will equip the church to meet thechallenge from renewed forms of heresy today.

From the Back Cover

Our ongoing fascination with alternative pictures of Christianity is on public display every time a never-before seen gospel text is revealed, archaeological discoveries about Jesus make front page news, and a new work of fiction challenges the very foundations of the church. In recent years the distinction between heresy and orthodoxy has come under fire by those eager to reject the formal boundaries of sanctioned beliefs about Jesus. McGrath's provocative thesis is that the categories of heresy and orthodoxy must be preserved by the church today. Tracing back to Jesus the testimony that remain faithful to Jesus's mission and message is still the mandate of the church despite increasingly popular cries that traditional dogma is outdated and restricts individual freedom. Overturning misconceptions throughout the book, McGrath exposes: * How many of the heretical beliefs and practices rejected by the church were actually more stringent and oppressive than rival orthodox claims * That many theological alternatives were rejected when the church had no power to enforce one view over another, long before Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire No heresy has ever been eradicated completely; they go underground and resurface in different forms preserved by subversive movements both inside and outside established church structures. In Heresy McGrath presents the fascinating story of heresy throughout Christian history and sheds light on these shunned beliefs and their consistent appeal today.

Review Quotes

"Not only a riveting story of ancient controversies, but also a much needed and timely correction to the commonly held notion that heretics were mostly free thinkers who challenged a narrow and closed orthodoxy." -- Justo L. González, author of The Story of Christianity

"Alister McGrath helps us understand what heresy is and why it exercises a powerful attraction upon the human mind. It is full of illuminating historical discussions and insights into the motivations that lead people to adopt heresy as a style of life and a personal demeanor." -- Dallas Willard, author of Knowing Christ Today

"A penetrating examination by an intellectual powerhouse." -- Booklist