Creeds of Christendom [Hardcover]

Philip Schaff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1984

Philip Schaff, author of the standard 8 volume History Of The Christian Church, assembles all of the major Christian creedal statements from the early church to today. There is nothing in print as complete as Creeds Of Christendom.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 2547 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books; Revised edition (February 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801082323
• ISBN-13: 978-0801082320
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 6.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,134,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Necessary Set for the Serious Christian Reader, September 3, 2000

By 

T. B. Vick "T.B.V." - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creeds of Christendom (Hardcover)

This is a must read for the serious Christian reader. Schaff has left no stone unturned in this compilation of historical Christian Creeds. In fact, since Schaff was the consummate Christian historian of the 19th century, he approaches this set in a very historical way. The set itself is organized via a certain time frame that Schaff apparently had in mind (unless the publishers altered this in later editions). Schaff begins by covering what a creed actually is, and why creeds were necessary. This is a very helpful section for his reader. From here Schaff covers all the creeds that have been written over the course of church history beginning with the ecumenical creeds (i.e. the Apostle's creed, Nicene creed, etc.). Schaff then covers the creeds of the Greek Church, the Roman Church, the Evangelical Protestant Church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Evangelical Reformed Church (in all the countries that apply), the Modern Evangelical denominations (Congregational, Anabaptists, Calvinistic Baptists, Methodism, etc.). Each of these are covered in their own chapter and this is just volume 1 (WOW!). Volume 2 consists of the Scripture confessions , Ante-Nicene and Nicene Rules of Faith and Baptismal Creeds, greater detail and commentary on the Ecumenical, Greek, Roman, Russian, and Catholic Union Creeds. Volume 3 is more of what Schaff did not cover in volume 2, namely, the Evangelical Lutheran, Reformed, Modern Protestant, etc. Creeds. These are all covered in greater detail with commentary. Part four (of volume 3) is a modern (19th century for Schaff's day) look into the creeds that were being developed. Overall, this is a great set to own, and an invaluable reference tool that can be used many times over. Schaff was a wonderful historian and this work is among his best. Keep in mind though that Schaff was distinctively Protestant and this set will give you his Protestant opinion and assessment of the Roman Catholic Church. However, if you are wanting a powerful assessment of some of the problems that have troubled Protestants regarding Roman Catholicism, then you will get that in this set. I highly recommend this set as a great reference work.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explanation of Content and praise of comprehensiveness, July 25, 1998

By 

David Noe ([e-mail]) (Iowa City, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creeds of Christendom (Hardcover)

Philip Schaff, the acknowledged "father" of American church history, has brought together in one place nearly all the confessional statements from the history of Christian orthodoxy. This three volume set of over 2400 pages, with a helpful table of contents and extensive indices, is divided thusly: Vol I, The History of Creeds; Vol. II, the Greek and Latin Creeds; Vol. III, The Evangelical Protestant Creeds. Volumes II and III contain the Creeds in their original language (Greek, Latin, French, Duth, English), with an English translation en fas. This set is a must for every serious student of church history, and has endured for over a century because of its thoroughness, fine prose style, and impartial tone. Highly recommended.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars illuminating and inspiring, September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Creeds of Christendom (Hardcover)

I couldn't believe there existed so much information on this subject. I'm a student of the humanities and this is right up my alley. The inclusion of original documents in Greek and Latin have made this book a relic. One should feel gratified that through this book one can own a piece of history. I have read many books on history and I can assertively say this is one of the best. Imagine, why read a book on christian history when you can go straight to the source and discover for yourself. I thank goodness there are people who still care about publishing such important things.