Early Christian Creeds [Hardcover]

J.N.D. Kelly (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0582489318 | ISBN-13: 978-0582489318 | Publication Date: August 29, 1972 | Edition: 3rd

A comprehensive study of the rise, development and use of credal formulaines in the creative centuries of the Church's history.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'J N D Kelly's classic work xxx; every promise of occupying the position of standard works for a long time to come.'

The Times Literary Supplement

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Until his retirement in 1979, J.N.D. Kelly was Principal of St Edmund Hall, Oxford and from 1948 to 1976 was University Lecturer in Patristic Studies there and is also a Fellow of the British Academy. Among his other books are Early Christian Doctrines. He died in 1997.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Longman; 3rd edition (August 29, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0582489318
• ISBN-13: 978-0582489318
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #787,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource. . ., August 11, 2000

By 

David Zampino "21st Century Hobbit" (Delavan, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Christian Creeds (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

When we lost JND Kelly a couple of years ago (he was in his 90's), the theological world, both Catholic and Protestant, lost a giant. "Ancient Christian Creeds" demonstrates a part of Kelly's genius. It is an invaluable resource for the graduate level or seminary student in theology (and was, in fact, one of the texts used in my Historical Theology class when I was a seminarian). Kelly describes the evolution of creedal thoughts and ideas, as well as the development of the various formulae themselves, beginning with the Old Roman Baptismal statement through the Creed of Nicea/Constantinople.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for the early medieval historian, December 15, 2000

By 

Andrea K. Toven (Laramie, WY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Christian Creeds (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

I am a graduate student in theology and have been doing research for a few years now in early medieval church history, concentrating on corruption and controversy. While recently studying the filioque controversy, I had come across many many bits and pieces about this, but had never found an outline in one place until I came across this book. Kelly writes in a clear and easily understood manner. This text should be on the shelf of any pastor, historian, or theologian.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST resource on early Christian Creeds and Faith formulation, August 1, 2009

By 

Gabriel E. Borlean (Odense, Denmark - birthtown of fairytale-writer H.C. Andersen) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Early Christian Creeds (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

INTRO:
A CREED in short is a basic formulation of ones faith.

J.N.D. Kelly is the premier writer in the area of early Christianity (few Church historians reach his depth and width ... worthy mentioning here is Jaroslav Pelikan). Any Christian (lay or clergy) will be blown away by this book, as their faith in Christ and the Apostles will be strengthened.

CONTENT:
This is not a fast read (many chapters and much detail) but J.N.D. Kelly starts our slow enough where anyone can see that he is approaching this topic with an open mind (did the early Christians of the first century have a CREED)? In the end we learn that history does not give us enough evidence for an answer, BUT we can see even from the New Testament extant manuscripts and texts that there are remenants and hints about CREEDAL statements.

CONCLUSION:
This invaluable resource is also used for seminary students and graduate work in theology (such as Historical Theology courses). In this book one learns the evolution of creedal thoughts and ideas, as well as the development of the various formulae themselves, and both Eastern Church and Western Church statements and creeds are well represented (especially the oecumenical one - Nicaea-Constantinople).

I concur with the previous two reviewers that this is a book that I cannot recommend enough, and one that should be on the shelf of any pastor, historian, or theologian.