History

As one of the most influential thinkers in Christian history, St. Augustine (354-430) had a flair for teaching and meditated deeply on the mysteries of the human heart. This study examines a little-known side of his career: his work as a teacher of candidates for baptism. In the revised edition of this seminal book-completed only weeks before the author's untimely death-both the text and notes have been revised to better reflect the state of contemporary scholarship on Augustine, liturgical studies, and the catechumenate, both ancient and modern. This edition also includes new findings from some of the recently discovered sermons of Augustine and incorporates new perspectives from recent research on early Christian biblical interpretation, debates on the Trinity, the evolution of the liturgy, and much more.

Aime Georges Martimort Since the 17th century the history of deaconesses in the Church has been the subject of numerous monographs. What is most evident about the history of deaconesses, however, is how complex the whole subject is. In this exhaustive and thoroughly researched work, Martimort presents a very readable analysis that has become the standard study of the role of women deaconesses in the early Church. He presents in as complete and objective fashion as possible the history, who and what these deaconesses were and what their functions were. "An excellent book on the topic of ordination of women to the diaconate. A masterpiece of research, and the thorough footnotes and index will increase its value for scholarly work." -The Priest "This book can be considered the last word on the subject of deaconesses. It deserves a wide readership since there is so much interest in the ordination of women." -Homiletic & Pastoral Review

'Jesus was a pest to the Romans and a threat to the religious leadership, so they threw him on to the rubbish dump. Little did they realize that it was like trying to put out a fire with petrol. The whole world exploded.' With characteristic style, John Pritchard takes us on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, as he unpacks the five great events that made Christianity - Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost. We explore: What happened? What did it mean? What does it mean for us? Absorbing, immediate and full of stories, this volume offers deeply considered theology, brilliantly communicated to connect with life as we actually experience it. 'Vividly elucidates the familiar but often not-quite-understood beliefs at the centre of the Christian faith.' Dominic Barrington, Dean of Chicago Praise for John Pritchard: Rowan Williams on God Lost and Found: 'Unusually honest . . . superbly well focused.' Justin Welby on Living Faithfully: 'A very good book by an exceptional leader . . . takes one back to the face of Christ and the realities of Christian discipleship.'

What do we Lutherans believe, and how do our beliefs differ from other Protestant denominations? Many Lutherans do not know how to answer these questions. As generic Protestantism has infiltrated the Lutheran Church, many Lutherans have come to believe false concepts of faith. Some think that it makes no difference whether they are specifically Lutheran versus another Protestant denomination.

A treatment of the evolution of Christian thought from the birth of Christ, to the Apostles, to the early church, to the great flowering of Christianity across the world. Beginning with Augustine, Volume 2 covers the flowering of Christian thought that characterized both the Latin West and the Byzantine East during the Middle Ages.

A literary history of our most influential book of all time, by an Oxford scholar and Anglican priest

In our culture, the Bible is monolithic: It is a collection of books that has been unchanged and unchallenged since the earliest days of the Christian church. The idea of the Bible as "Holy Scripture," a non-negotiable authority straight from God, has prevailed in Western society for some time. And while it provides a firm foundation for centuries of Christian teaching, it denies the depth, variety, and richness of this fascinating text. In A History of the Bible, John Barton argues that the Bible is not a prescription to a complete, fixed religious system, but rather a product of a long and intriguing process, which has inspired Judaism and Christianity, but still does not describe the whole of either religion. Barton shows how the Bible is indeed an important source of religious insight for Jews and Christians alike, yet argues that it must be read in its historical context--from its beginnings in myth and folklore to its many interpretations throughout the centuries.

It is a book full of narratives, laws, proverbs, prophecies, poems, and letters, each with their own character and origin stories. Barton explains how and by whom these disparate pieces were written, how they were canonized (and which ones weren't), and how they were assembled, disseminated, and interpreted around the world--and, importantly, to what effect. Ultimately, A History of the Bible argues that a thorough understanding of the history and context of its writing encourages religious communities to move away from the Bible's literal wording--which is impossible to determine--and focus instead on the broader meanings of scripture.

Now with additional material on developments in late-twentieth-century and Orthodox theology.

''History of Theology'' presents how different groups and various individuals have interpreted the original Christian rule of faith, which summarizes the content of Scripture. As you master how this fixed confession of the given truths of the Christian faith has developed in form, your faith in the triune God will deepen and strengthen.

This book traces the movements and counter-movements of theological thought through the centuries from the New Testament to the present. This work is divided in three parts. Part 1 addresses the age of the church fathers. Part 2 covers the Middle Ages from Augustine to Luther. Part 3 moves from the Reformation thru the 20th century.

John Frederick the Magnanimous was the elector of Saxony during Martin Luther's mature years (1532-1546), and they worked closely together on many things. After Luther's death, John Frederick shared leadership of the Smalcald League with his cousin, Philip of Hesse.

If you love historic theological and devotional treasures from the Reformation era and Age of Orthodoxy (1517-1700), youve probably run into names that sound foreign and unfamiliar.

The story of Lutherans in America is one of mutual influence. From the first small groups of Lutherans to arrive in the colonies, to the large immigrations to the rich heartland of a growing nation, Lutherans have influenced, and been influenced by, America.

In this lively and engaging new history, Granquist brings to light not only the varied and fascinating institutions that Lutherans founded and sustained but the people that lived within them. The result is a generous, human history that tells a complete storynot only about politics and policies but also the piety and the practical experiences of the Lutheran men and women who lived and worked in the American context.

Bringing the story all the way to the present day and complemented with new charts, maps, images, and sidebars, Granquist ably covers the full range of Lutheran expressions, bringing order and clarity to a complex and vibrant tradition.

The De Doctrina Christiana ("On Christian Teaching") is one of Augustine's most important works on the classical tradition. Undertaken at the same time as the Confessions, it sheds light on the development of Augustine's thought, especially in the areas of ethics, hermeneutics, and sign-theory. This completely new translation gives a close but updated representation of Augustine's thought and expression, while a succinct introduction and select bibliography present the insights of recent research.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.