Christian Theological Tradition, The (3e)

For one-semester, undergraduate-level courses in Introduction to Theology, Christianity or History of the Christian Tradition.

This text helps students acquire a basic theological literacy in key persons and events of the Bible and the Christian faith, and in Christianity's encounter with culture at large. Historically arranged, it also addresses five major themes of systematic theology: revelation, God, creation, Jesus, and church.

Preface                                                                                                                        

Chapter 1 - Introduction                                                                                                                 

Catherine Cory, Terence Nichols, David Smith, and Jan Michael Joncas

Part I - The Old Testament

Catherine Cory and John Smithe                                                                                                                   

Chapter 2 - The Primeval Story                                                                                                      

John Smithe and David Penchansky

Chapter 3 - God’s Covenant with Israel                                                                                          

David Smith and Catherine Cory

Chapter 4 - Judges, Prophets, Kings                                                                                               

David Penchansky and John Smithe

Chapter 5 - Second Temple Judaism                                                                                              

John Smithe

Part II - The New Testament

Catherine Cory                                                                                                                                                   

Chapter 6 - Jesus and the Gospels                                                                                                  

Catherine Cory

Chapter 7 - Apostolic Missions                                                                                                      

John Smithe and Catherine Cory

Part III - The History of Christianity

Michael Hollerich                                                                                                                                              

Chapter 8 - Christianity after the Apostles                                                                                       

Michael Hollerich

Chapter 9 - The Age of the Imperial Church                                                                                   

Michael Hollerich

Chapter 10 - Augustine of Hippo                                                                                                      

David Hunter

Chapter 11 - Eastern Christianity                                                                                                      

Jan Michael Joncas

Chapter 12 -Islam Past and Present                                                                                                 

Patrick Gaffney

Chapter 13 - Christianity in the Early Medieval Period                                                                       

Jan Michael Joncas

Chapter 14 - Christianity in the High Middle Ages                                                                             

Michael Hollerich

Chapter 15 - Thomas Aquinas                                                                                                          

David Smith

Chapter 16 - Christianity in the Late Medieval Period                                                                        

Anne H. King

Part IV - The Modern Period

Terence Nichols                                                                                                                                                  

Chapter 17 - The Renaissance                                                                                                          

Terence Nichols

Chapter 18 - Martin Luther                                                                                                              

Shirley E. Jordon

Chapter 19 - Other Protestant Reformers                                                                                         

David S. Cunningham

Chapter 20 -The Catholic Reformation                                                                                            

Anne H. King

Chapter 21 -Global Expansion and the Colonial Churches                                                                

Thaddeus Posey

Chapter 22 - Modern Challenges to Christianity                                                                                

Terence Nichols

Chapter 23 - Christianity in America                                                                                                 

Michael Hollerich

Chapter 24 - The Second Vatican Council in Context

Michael Hollerich

Chapter 25 - Christianity and the Contemporary Situation                                                                 

Catherine Cory, Terence Nichols, David Smith, and David S.Cunningham

Chapter 26 - Christianity and Interreligious Dialogue                                                                         

Edward Ulrich

Index

New to the 3rd edition:

• NEW! Updated and revised chapter content, timelines, and bibliographies throughout
• Keeps students updated on the latest developments in the discipline.
• NEW! Concluding chapter on inter-religious dialogue (Chapter 25, Christianity and Other Religions)
• Gives students a sense of Christianity in the context of other religions.
• NEW! Introduction providing a full treatment of the academic discipline of religious studies:
• This new introduction issues a better starting point for faculty and students of schools with both an in-depth Religious Studies program as well as a Theology department.  It also contains brief excerpts from the writings of representative scholars in Religious Studies.
• NEW! Three new chapters have been added, with focus on Islam Past and Present (12), Christianity in the United States (23), and the Second Vatican Council in Context (24):
• The chapter on Islam was written by an expert in Islamic studies with a viewpoint on fostering a better understanding and appreciation of contemporary Islam. It provides students with tools to critically evaluate some of the tensions between Islamic and Western cultures.
• The chapter on Christianity in the United States provides an overview of the development of its various Christian denominations with special attention to the ways that Christianity has shaped and been shaped by American history, culture, and politics.
• The chapter on the Second Vatican Council and its antecedents might be of particular interest to Catholic colleges and universities.  However, other audiences will find it helpful because it illustrates how religious and cultural developments of earlier periods shape the theological agenda of next generations
• UPDATED! The chapters on Jesus and the Gospels (6), Christianity and the Contemporary Situation (25), and Christianity and Interreligious Dialogue (26) have all been significantly revised and expanded:
• In the earlier edition, the chapter on the gospels focused on Mark and John with smaller units on Matthew and Luke.  This edition treats all four equally. The revised chapter also has a new section on parables and miracle stories and an expanded section on discipleship and the kingdom of God.
• The chapter on Christianity and the contemporary situation has a new section on postmodernism and its impact on the way theology is performed today.  It has expanded sections on the variety of contemporary theologies plus excerpts from the writings of representative theologians and biblical scholars.
• The revised chapter on Christianity and inter-religious dialogue has a brief history of interfaith relations and a fuller treatment of Christian theological perspectives on inter-religious dialogue.

Hallmark Features of The Christian Theological Tradition, 3/e:

The advantage of collected works and multiple authors:

• Offers a variety of perspectives on a wide range of issues and topics, yet is heavily edited for stylistic uniformity and continuity.
• Gives students a more well-rounded treatment and understanding of the subject.

Strong pedagogical support:

• Includes photos, maps and diagrams, timelines, key terms, questions for reading, bibliographies, glossary, and an index.
• Provides convenient in-text references and study resources, making book as user-friendly as possible for instructors and students.

Instructor flexibility:

• Designed so that chapters can be rearranged or assigned individually without affecting comprehensibility.
• Enables instructors to tailor the course for their classes, better meeting the particular needs of their students.