How to Use This Book xiiIntroduction 1The Concept of "Theology": A Brief Introduction 1The Architecture of Theology 5Historical Theology: Its Purpose and Place 91 Early Christian Theology: The Patristic Period, c.100-451 17A Clarification of Terms 18Difficulties in Approaching Early Christian Theology 19The Historical Background to Early Christian Theology 20Centers of Early Christian Theological Reflection 24Key Theologians 25Key Theological Developments 28Key Names, Words, and Phrases 37Case Studies 382 The Middle Ages and the Renaissance, c.500-1500 83On Defining the "Middle Ages" 84Medieval Theological Landmarks in Western Europe 86The Rise of Scholasticism 90The Italian Renaissance 91The Rise of Humanism 92Medieval Theological Landmarks in Eastern Europe 93Key Theologians 95Key Theological Developments 100Key Names, Words, and Phrases 105Case Studies 1063 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Periods, 1500-1750 133Reformation - or Reformations? 134A Clarification of Terms 135Post-Reformation Movements 141Key Theologians 145Key Theological Developments 149Developments in Theological Literature 151Key Names, Words, and Phrases 155Case Studies 1564 The Modern Period, 1750 - The Present Day 196A Cultural Watershed: The Enlightenment 198The Enlightenment Critique of Traditional Theology 199Romanticism and the Critique of the Enlightenment 203The Crisis of Faith in Victorian England 204The Crisis of the First World War 205Postmodernism and a New Theological Agenda 207Key Theologians 209Some Recent Western Theological Movements and Trends 212Key Names, Words, and Phrases 227Case Studies 228Where Next? 300A Glossary of Theological Terms 302Sources of Citations 314Suggestions for Further Reading 319Index 321
ALISTER E. MCGRATH, formerly Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, UK, is an acclaimed scholar, theologian, intellectual historian, lecturer, and author. His bestselling books and textbooks on theology with Wiley Blackwell include Reformation Thought: An Introduction (5e, 2021), Science and Religion: A New Introduction (3e, 2020), Theology: The Basics (4e, 2017), The Christian Theology Reader (5e, 2016), and Christian Theology: An Introduction (6e, 2016).