Key Theological Thinkers

The 20th and 21st Centuries have been characterized by theologians and philosophers rethinking theology and revitalizing the tradition. This unique anthology presents contributions from leading contemporary theologians - including Rowan Williams, Fergus Kerr, Aidan Nichols, G.R. Evans and Tracey Rowland - who offer portraits of over fifty key theological thinkers in the modern and postmodern era. Distinguished by its broad ecumenical perspective, this anthology spans arguably one of the most creative periods in the history of Christian theology and includes thinkers from all three Christian traditions: Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox. Each individual portrait in this anthology includes a biographical introduction, an overview of theological or philosophical writing, presentation of key thoughts, and contextual placing of the thinker within 20th Century religious discourse. Overview articles explore postmodern theology, radical orthodoxy, ecumenical theology, feminist theology, and liberation theology. A final section includes portraits of important thinkers who have influenced Christian thought from other fields, not least from Continental philosophy and literature.

Fifty Key Christian Thinkersprovides both valuable information and stimulating debate on the lives and work of fifty of the most important Christian theologians. This guide provides an overview of Christian theology from the emergence of the faith 2000 years ago to the present day. Among the figures profiled in this accessible guide are: * St Paul * Barth * Aquinas * Boethius * Niebuhr * Calvin * Luther * Feuerbach * Kierkegaard * Origen

This book introduces twelve key Christians from the second and third centuries, a formative period for the Church. These figures are: Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tatian, Theophilus of Antioch, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Perpetua, Origen, Hippolytus, Cyprian, Gregory Thaumaturgos and Eusebius. Each chapter is self-contained and requires no preliminary knowledge of the figure under discussion, making this an ideal book for laity and for undergraduates studying Christian origins or Patristics.

Man is a born philosopher and since the beginning of existence he has been searching for a meaning to life.Key Thinkers in Christianity introduces some of the most brilliant minds we have known and shows the capacity of their ideas to endure the test of time and shape the way philosophy and Christianity have developed throughout history. From Irenaeus in the 2nd century to Hans Urs von Balthasar in the 20th century, this short selection links together some of the most profound ideas of all time, taking the reader on a journey through a history of thought, relevant for both Christian and non-Christian thinkers of the future. Some of the thinkers in this volume were not chosen purely for their insights and observations, but for the fact that other thinkers since have gone back to their ideas, others represent an age or a way of thinking. Although these thinkers are no longer alive, their observations and ideas remainimportant and their throughts are still the subject of study today.How relevant are the writings of Origen to the aspirations of modern day Christians?To what extent was Athanasius influenced by the thoughts of Origen?What impact did Martin Luther have on Christianity in Northern Europe during the Renaissance?What did Immanuel Kant have to say about Christian thinking?Why has there been a recent resurgence in interest in Kierkegaard's work?Why has there been a recent decline in interest in Bultmann's work?Was Karl Barth the greatest theologian of the 20th century?What did Karl Rahner think of Hans Urs von Balthasar's ideas?

Written by two philosophers and a theologian, this book provides easy access to key terms in philosophy and how they are understood and used in theology. The focused entries discuss what the terms have meant in classical and contemporary philosophy and then shift to what these philosophical understandings have meant in the history of Christian theology to the present day. The result is a unique volume that clearly shows the interplay of these disciplines and how theology has been influenced by the language and vocabulary of philosophy.

From the opening pages of the Bible, we learn of God as one who communicates with humankind—offering us first steps toward knowledge of the divine, the very foothold of theology. On this basis, Approaching the Study of Theology presents an engaging introduction to the breadth and depth of the study of theology, mapping the significant landmarks as well as the main areas of debate. The book is divided into three parts: Part I (Approaches) describes the major approaches to theology that have emerged and developed over time. Part II (Concepts and Issues) explains the major concepts and issues, identifying theologians associated with each. Part III (Key Terms) provides a helpful glossary of all the key terms that readers need to understand in order to better understand theology. Written by the eminent theologian Anthony Thiselton, here is an accessible resource for both those in the midst of a theological course or program as well as those contemplating the field.

Fifty Key Christian Thinkers provides both valuable information and stimulating debate on the lives and work of fifty of the most important Christian theologians. This guide provides an overview of Christian theology from the emergence of the faith 2000 years ago to the present day. Among the figures profiled in this accessible guide are: * St Paul * Barth * Aquinas * Boethius * Niebuhr * Calvin * Luther * Feuerbach * Kierkegaard * Origen