History of Theology [Paperback]

Bengt Hagglund (Author), Gene J. Lund (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1968

Now with additional material on developments in late-twentieth-century and Orthodox theology.

''History of Theology'' presents how different groups and various individuals have interpreted the original Christian rule of faith, which summarizes the content of Scripture. As you master how this fixed confession of the given truths of the Christian faith has developed in form, your faith in the triune God will deepen and strengthen.

This book traces the movements and counter-movements of theological thought through the centuries from the New Testament to the present. This work is divided in three parts. Part 1 addresses the age of the church fathers. Part 2 covers the Middle Ages from Augustine to Luther. Part 3 moves from the Reformation thru the 20th century.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bengt Hägglund's excellent survey clearly highlights the problems and issues of each age, focusing on pivotal ideas and key thinkers who sought to convey God's truth. --Robert Rosin, Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri

Hägglund's ''History of Theology'' offers introductory classes a theologically and intellectually sound, well-designed survey of the literature and thought of the church . . . that conveys the entire history of doctrine from the Apostolic Fathers to the twentieth century. --Richard A. Muller, Professor of Historical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Bengt Hägglund was professor of theology at the University of Lund, Sweden. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 425 pages
• Publisher: Concordia Publishing House (January 1968)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0570032938
• ISBN-13: 978-0570032939
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Know why things are as they are, January 6, 2006

By 

Philip J. Bohlken (Caldwell, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: History of Theology (Paperback)

This book traces theology from the Early Church period through the Lutheran Reformation. People often wonder why different Christian groups differ from one another in belief. This book is a big help. Although not light reading, it shows how individual religious leaders emphasized some point in such a way that it bent what was taught and believed in various movements. It is a very good resource to have and to use.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Fine Intro to Historical Theology from a Lutheran Perspective, December 9, 2011

By 

Quentin D. Stewart - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: History of Theology (Hardcover)

Bengt Hagglund was and is one of the foremost Lutheran historical theologians of the latter half of the twentieth century. This is a very fine intro to theology as it developed over the ages beginning with the apostolic fathers through to the anti-Gnostic fathers such as Irenaeus and then moving on to such greats as St. Augustine. The major forms of scholastic thought are covered as is Luther's reformation breakthrough and the other major reformers before Hagglund discusses later developments in Lutheranism such as Lutheran Orthodoxy (1580 - 1725 A.D.) and Lutheran Pietism. Rarely will one encounter discussions of the Formula of Concord (1580) and Lutheran Orthodoxy in books written in English, so this is a helpful resource for Hagglund measured judgments. But Hagglund then gives sparser treatment on more recent theologians of the 19th century such as Schleiermacher before offering a brief discussion of early twentieth century theologians.

Hagglund's style is clear and concise and easy to understand. This is a good introductory text book to Christian theology as it developed. Hagglund is relatively fair and balanced, though many will not agree with all of his analyses. For example, his portrayal of Augustine's theology of salvation (soteriology)was far more convoluted than any of Augustine's major works on that subject. Hagglund may have been reading late medieval interpretations of Augustine back into the bishop of Hippo. Either way this is still a very fine resource.