Search for the Christian Doctrine of God: The Arian Controversy, 318-381 [Hardcover]

R. P. C. Hanson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0567094855 | ISBN-13: 978-0567094858 | Publication Date: June 1988

First published in 1988, "The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God" is still considered by many scholars to be the finest work on the Arian Controversy. Examining scholarly works on the Controversy and many original texts, Professor Hanson, provides a clear understanding of how the traditional and historic doctrine of God as the Holy Trinity reached its most mature and enduring form. The author is not primarily concerned to defend the orthodox position itself, but rather to discover and examine the formation of that orthodoxy. The history of the events - the Councils, the interventions of the Emperor, the rivalries of sees, the behaviour of bishops, the varying fortunes of the different schools of thought and their leaders - is interwoven with the progression of thought and doctrine during the sixty years of the Controversy. Professor Hanson sees the problem of the reconciliation of two concepts which were both part of the very fabric of Christianity - monotheism and the worship of Jesus Christ as divine.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

R P Hanson, FBA, was Lightfoot Professor of Divinity, University of Durham. From 1970 to 1973 he was Bishop of Clogher in Ireland. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 954 pages
• Publisher: T&T Clark Ltd (June 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0567094855
• ISBN-13: 978-0567094858
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,094,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have for Patristic Theology Buffs, January 6, 2006

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H. Campbell (houston, texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God: The Arian Controversy, 318-381 (Paperback)

The late Mr. Hanson has written a masterpiece of clear, concise theological history that covers all the important aspects of the great Trinitarian Debates of the 4th century. He avoids getting bogged down in the "how-many-angels-on-the-head-of-a-pin" debates so characteristic of many patristic history tomes (though in their defence these kinds of debates were typical of patristic discourse.) He offers detailed descriptions of the political maneuvering involved in the post-Nicea and pre-Constantinople regional councils (e.g., Sardica) which typically get shortchanged in generic theological histories. His analysis may not be universally accepted but his logic and deductive abilities must be admired. It is a hefty chunk of change but be patient on the internet for a good price and then buy it!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but too much for a beginner., June 26, 2008

By 

Aaron J. West - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God: The Arian Controversy, 318-381 (Paperback)

I had this book recommended to me about 1.5 years ago as an introduction to the Arian Controversy. I bought it and tried to read it, but there was just too much information. He goes into great detail about each aspect of the debate, including theological background, examination of primary sources, history of interpretation, questions of authorship and dating, and details on all the major and many of the minor players. I got bogged down and frustrated. A year and a half later, having read Barnes's books and examined some of the primary documents, as well as getting a better idea of the course of the controversy, I now find the book very useful for reference, and can read through a chapter without feeling like I'm drowning.
I would not encourage you to refrain from buying this book, but I would encourage those new to the Arian controversy to try and find something shorter and more manageable for an introduction. Get your bearings on the major councils, bishops, theological camps, and writings of the controversy. If you're not sure where Athanasius was bishop, you definitely don't want to read this book yet. If you're not sure what the Council of Serdica was you still might want to hold off. If you know who Constantius was and what theological position he favored, you probably have the background needed to wade through this rather lengthy book. I found that once I knew the general chronology of Athanasius' life fairly well, it served as a good hook to hang all this information on - and it is a lot of information.

29 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even handed & solid coverage of 4th century debates, April 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Search for the Christian Doctrine of God: The Arian Controversy, 318-381 (Hardcover)

I found this book to provide the best recounting of facts from the original source texts (more fair than Grillmeier's set.) His tone is not an apologetic of classical trinitarian dogma, but neither is he negatively skeptical of the what became "orthodoxy". The coverage is suggestive of the fluid state of doctrine at that time. Agreement, unfortunately was settled politically. The material focuses on the 4th century debates, but not the later extentions made at Chalcedon.