Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Christology   2. Theology - Christology   

Customer Reviews (5)

Useful introduction and resource
In this first volume on the development of Christian thought, Gonzalez outlines the main currents of theology and how they progressed during the first ~450 years after Christ. He begins with an interesting look into the religious culture of the Jews and the Graeco-Romans around the time when Jesus Christ came into the world. He moves on to describe the writings of the "Apostolic Fathers," some of the oldest Christian literature written after the New Testament, and then progresses into the main stream of the book. The main course of the book is devoted to discussing the thought of the major theologians in the first 5 centuries, and how various controversies circulated through the church. Gonzalez explains how the church handled these issues, and the resulting theology that came from responding to various heresies. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the development of trinitarian doctrine and the corresponding refutation of Arianism, and then the later Christological controversies enter in during the latter portion of the book. There is certainly a great deal that the church today can learn from looking at its past, and this book offers a good overview of the main issues in Christianity during those early years. One might find themselves surprised that some of the same issues are still discussed today, reminding us that Solomon was right when he said "There is nothing new under the sun."

Justo Gonzalez - Theology for everyone
This series of books does an excellent job of laying out the issues that confronted Christianity during the first few hundred years. Gonzalez writes in a very accessible style, and tries to keep the technical language to a minimum.

No matter what your exposure to the issues, this book provides an excellent summary and introduction, and is one that I recommend to friends who need a basic grounding in eary Christian thought.

Gonzalez presents a generally balanced view, though it seems that the "orthodox" position is generally portrayed in the best light in most cases, though not to such an extent that the book is heavily biased.

Overall, an excellent introduction and summary. I strongly recommend it.

A good beginning overview. . .
This book is a good introduction to the great theological issues which arose during the first 4 1/2 centuries of Christianity. The material is offered in a balanced, non polemic fashion, and would be useful for Catholics and Protestants alike.

The book is useful for the college undergraduate and for the informed layperson seeking deeper information. It is probably not a good choice for graduate level or seminary studies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - History - General   2. Christianity - Theology - General   3. Religion   4. Religion - Church History   

Customer Reviews (1)

See of St. Mark: Chrisological Journey in time and space
Christ in Christian Tradition:
Since Adolph von Harnack's great work on History of the Dogma, there is no parallel for this ever-growing and most established reference in Chrisological history and development of Doctrine of the Person of Christ. This review covers only volume 2, part 4: The Church of Alexandria With Nubia and Ethiopia
Fr. Grillmeier reevaluates the alternative Orthodox, albeit mystical, Christology of the great Alexandrines: Alexander, Athanasius, and Cyril. With the help of the able academic Dr. Hainthaler expouds, not only the defense of Severus of Antioch, and Theodosius of Alexandria (in house arrest at Constantinopole) but also the arbitration of his colleague the colorful grammarian , scientific theologian , the genius Johannes Philoponus.

Whast is new in theology?
Aloys Grillmeier is revealing in this volume new sources made available by two great Coptologists; Prof. Tito Orlandi and Dr. Hans Quecke, who supported this great work in service of a better understanding of the schism that divided the One Holy Universal Apostolic Church. For the very first time a Christology of Shenute of Atripe, and his Disciple Besa the Archimandrite of the White Monastery are briefly reviewed for the first time.
The legendary story of faithful Nubia (in Coptic : Land of Gold) and holy Axum (Ethiopia) are treated at some elaboration, that was only attempted by the great Utah U. historian A. S. Atiya. Thus this work consecrated not only time but also space, as the Orientals are used to say.

Book Contents:
Part One: Alexandrian Christology in Greek:
Section I: Christology of the patriarchs;
1. Timothy Aerulus in rejection of Chalcedon
2. The struggle between Pro and Anti Chaledonians
3. Theodosius, Spiritual heir of Severus of Antioch
4. Two hierarchies: the Copts and Melkites
Section II: Christology of the Scholars:
1. The poet Nonnos of Panopolis
2. Two Alexegites: Ammonius and Olimpiodore
3. John Philoponus, Alexandrian Philosopher and Theologian
4. Cosmas Indicopleustes

Part Two: The Province of Coptic Christology:
1. A new source for Shenute: Founder of Coptic Christology
2. Besa: Archimandrite of the White Monastery
3. Christology in Coptic liturgical prayers

Part Three: The Cross of Christ over Nubia

Part Four: Christ in a new Messianic Kingdom of Ethiopia

Concluding Epilogue:
This great book, 430 pages of ecclesiastical agony and Christological ecstasy, work of great Christian Scholars who in search of truth discovered the treasures of Alexandrian and Coptic faith. John Meyendroff says in his Epilogue of Imperial Unity and Christian Divisions "Actually, it becomes increasingly embarrassing to use the term 'Monophysite' to designate these ancient Churches.' After less than a decade this work was translated into English to dogmatically support Fr. Meyendroff and all the blessed Dyophisite Chaledonians.

Further Readings?
1.A History of Eastern Christianity
by Aziz Suryal, Atiya

2.Imperial Unity and Christian Divisions: The Church, 450-680 Ad (Church History ; 2),
by John Meyendorff
3.The First Seven Ecumenical Councils, their history & theology
by Leo D. Davis,SJ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - History   2. Christianity - Theology - Christology   3. Christology   4. Religion   5. Religion - Church History   

Subjects:  1. Theology   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - History - General   2. Christianity - Theology - Christology   3. Theology - Christology   

Subjects:  1. Biography   2. Christian literature, Early   3. Church history   4. Early Church (To 476)   5. Fathers of the church   6. Primitive and early church, ca   

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Resource for the Council of Chalcedon
This book was very readable and informative. It went into great detail, giving a blow by blow analysis of everything that happened at the council. It also gave a detailed account and analysis of the events and desputes leading up to the council, as well as the aftermath. The book was written by a non-chalcedonian author, but he addresses the issues without being polemical or contentious. His writing style is very accessible. It has been a long time since I have read a book which was at once this enjoyable and informative. I recommend it highly to anyone interested in this subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (451)   2. Christianity - Theology - General   3. Council of Chalcedon   4. Religion   5. Theology   

Customer Reviews (1)

a detailed and valuable work
In the history of medicine, popularity is mainly focused on the famous scientists such as Hipoccrates and Galen. However on the basis of positive science, maybe the most important scientist is Herophilus. The knowledge on Herophilus is rare and scattered in different testimonies and writings of authors such as Galen and Celsus. This valuable work of von Staden collects all these scattered information in one book. I think this book should be the main starting point to study ancient Alexandrian medicine, Herophilus and Herophilians. This book will not only illuminate today's knowledge but will also guide the future knowledge ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alexandria   2. Egypt   3. Herophilus,   4. History   5. History & Surveys - Ancient & Classical   6. History Of Medicine   7. Medical / Nursing   8. Medicine   9. Medicine, Greek and Roman   10. Science/Mathematics   11. ca. 335 B.C.-ca. 280 B.C   12. of Chalcedon,   13. Ancient Western philosophy to c 500   14. Herophilus   15. Herophilus,--of Chalcedon,--ca. 335 B.C.-ca. 280 B.C   16. Medicine--Egypt--Alexandria--History   17. Philosophy / Ancient   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles   2. Coins, Currency & Medals   3. Cultural Classification Of Artifacts   4. Ethnology   5. History: World   6. Numismatics   

Subjects:  1. (451)   2. Christianity - Catechisms   3. Constantinopolitan Creed   4. Council of Chalcedon   5. Nicene Creed   6. Religion - Christian Education   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life   2. Christianity - Theology - Christology   3. Christology   4. Church history   5. Early church, ca. 30-600   6. History of doctrines   7. Jesus Christ   8. Primitive and early church   9. Religion   10. Religion - Christian Living   

Subjects:  1. Religion   

Subjects:  1. Christian theology   2. Christianity   

Subjects:  1. 6th cent   2. Arbiter   3. Christianity - Theology - General   4. General   5. Jesus Christ   6. Natures   7. Philoponus, John,   8. Religion   9. Theology   10. Early church, ca. 30-600   11. History of doctrines   12. Philoponus, John