The Dictionary of Historical Theology [Hardcover]

Trevor A. Hart (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2000

The Dictionary of Historical Theology is a major new reference work designed for anyone interested in the history and development of Christian theology.

With 314 articles covering the key figures, theological movements, and significant texts that have shaped Christian thought, The Dictionary of Historical Theology traces the doctrinal development of Christianity from the early church to the present. Varying in length from 500 to 15,000 words, these entries treat the intellectual antecedents and descendants of the figures or schools of thought covered as well as their influence on the wider development of the Christian tradition.

The 173 contributors to this dictionary are without exception proven experts on the subjects they address. Drawn from international and interdenominational circles, they tell the story of Christianity from a wide variety of perspectives, successfully capturing the great diversity of traditions that make up the Christian community today.

Comprehensive in scope yet concisely written, The Dictionary of Historical Theology is the most accessible and reliable single-volume compendium of Christian thought available.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This very fine dictionary does not treat theological themes such as Christology, salvation, redemption, or grace; rather, it treats the people and the movements responsible for the birth and development of such themes in the history of the Christian church. Each of 314 entries by 173 writers is an essay, written by a topical expert and followed by an up-to-date bibliography on the subject. The entries vary in length and in quality. Notable among them are Paul Molnar's essay on Karl Barth, Max Stackhouse's on Paul Ramsey, and D.W.D Shaw's on process theology. Typically, the essays are free from jargon, presenting readable summaries and ready reference not only for church ministers, teachers, and students but also for general readers. This dictionary will not replace other volumes, such as The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (LJ 5/15/97) or A Handbook of Christian Theologians (1980. o.p.), but it is a welcome addition and may be considered among the better reference books on Christian theology. Recommended not only for academic and seminary libraries but for community libraries whose members have an interest in Christian theology.DDavid I. Fulton, Our Lady of Victories Church, Baptistown, NJ
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 619 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080283907X
• ISBN-13: 978-0802839077
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,024,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Broad Brush Sweep of Historical Theology, November 5, 2001

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dictionary of Historical Theology (Hardcover)

This recently published compendium of historical theology was prepared to fill a gap of no English based work on the history and development of Christian theology.

An outstanding group of international contributors makes up this volume of some 314 historical individuals or movements. These choices and the writing on each one is limited, as this effort does not define itself as total in its coverage, but does provide scholarly, informative broad coverage.

Features include a compiled index which goes beyond the 314, and each entry provides a "Further Reading" section as well.

Testing the meeting of its goals and objectives with this reviewer's own theological confession (Lutheranism), I find its entrees to be well done, sweeping with proper emphases and tensions illuminated. Inclusion of the works on Luther, Melanchthon and Chemnitz are illustrative of the sought after scope of this fine effort.

I look forward to using this has a handy resource to find one's historical bearings and then proceed further with its recommendations for further probe.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very useful introduction to Historical Theology. . ., March 18, 2002

By 

David Zampino "21st Century Hobbit" (Delavan, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dictionary of Historical Theology (Hardcover)

. . .useful for the scholar, the cleric, and the informed layman.

This book is far less comprehensive than, say, the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, but has the advantage of being much less expensive, and much less daunting for the beginning student. The volume covers the major events and figures throughout the history of the Christian Church in an alphabetized dictionary format. The information presented is clear and concise without being minimalistic and the book is not particularly "weighted" toward a specific Christian tradition (thus minimizing polemic).

This book would be a fine addition to a parish library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the right approach to historical theology, January 23, 2006

By 

Student Leuven Belgium - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dictionary of Historical Theology (Hardcover)

The right approach to historical theology is team work. 173 world wide well known and well publishing experts, from various religious strands and nations tell you on scholarly level but in plain language and on 1 page essays, exactly what you need to hear on his own expertise field, then adding a brief list of books. This is how a 600 page book doesn't get you bored. And the book is cheap for what you get really.
Running a theology and bible education program of my own, I do consider this as approach: this book alongside a timeline of events and persons. Connections, in depth studies, or other things to be dug out from articles rather than books. The student is this way far better off than with a long book work written by one single person, whose ups and downs you'd have to swallow altogether, like Olson. The only downside is that this book, though much more thorough and up to date than any other introduction I know, yet is not exhaustive. The apostolic sadly are briefly treated together and so are the Capadocian fathers, you won't find many renaissance philosophers, you won't find popes and their doctrinal accomplishments. At the other hand, you will find lots of issues such as environmental, process or narrative theology. This is defenitely a book which the longer you use it, the more you rightly depend on it, if it covers the field.