Publisher Description

This clear and concise text helps readers grasp the doctrines of the Christian faith considered basic from the earliest days of Christianity. Ronald Heine, an internationally known expert on early Christian theology, developed this book from a course he teaches that has been refined through many years of classroom experience. Heine primarily uses the classical Christian doctrines of the Nicene Creed to guide students into the essentials of the faith.This broadly ecumenical work will interest students of church history or theology as well as adult Christian education classes in church settings. Sidebars identify major personalities and concepts, and each chapter concludes with discussion questions and suggestions for further reading.

Back Cover

"Here at last is an introductory theology text that gracefully inducts beginning students into Christian doctrines deriving from the Nicene Creed. Undergraduates as well as seminarians will meet the major minds and texts that shaped classical Christian theology and emerge equipped to engage the intricacies of Christianity's doctrinal struggles through this most lucid portal, which is replete with textual excerpts, explanatory glosses, and accessible though not overly simplified presentations of hotly debated questions."-- Ellen Charry , Princeton Theological Seminary"If you are searching for a solid and solidifying introduction to the doctrines of early Christianity, this is it. Ronald Heine helps those of us who feel unsettled within our transitory age to find some steadiness of faith within the classical and foundational. This is a book for those who think beginnings might be important to beliefs, who think antiquity might enrich the contemporary, and who, because they don't like to free-fall, appreciate the groundwork."-- D. Jeffrey Bingham , Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary"One couldn't ask for a clearer or more succinct account of the process whereby classical Christian doctrines were articulated. Shaped by the clauses of the Nicene Creed, it brilliantly sketches out how the early church fathers debated and appropriated scriptural themes. This sharp focus and the judicious selection of key elements in what can seem a dauntingly complex story make this an excellent initial text."-- Frances Young , University of Birmingham; author of From Nicaea to Chalcedon "Heine draws from the obvious breadth and depth of his many years of research to create a manual for beginning theologians. Here is a crisp and accessible text eminently suitable to introduce undergraduate students to the essentials of early Christian thought and the enduring truths of Christian doctrine."-- Hans Boersma , Nashotah House"Heine has provided a fresh and invaluable introduction to the complex body of early Christian doctrine for an audience of nonspecialists. With his careful organization of the issues and proposed discussion questions, a broad array of themes, including Trinity, Christology, salvation, and eschatological hope, all come into sharp focus and are made accessible for Christians anxious to enrich and deepen their understanding of the church's faith and their own identity in relation to Christians past."-- Paul Blowers , Emmanuel Christian Seminary

Author Biography

Ronald E. Heine (PhD, University of Illinois) is professor of Bible and Christian ministry at Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Oregon. He is the author of Reading the Old Testament with the Ancient Church and several books on Origen.

Table of Contents

Contents
1. What Is Classical Christian Doctrine?
2. Christian Scripture: The Source of Classical Christian Doctrine
3. "The Lord Our God Is One": The Jewish God and the Christian Faith
4. "And the Word Was God": The Christian Faith and the Greek Philosophers
5. "He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father": The Monarchian Approach to God
6. "Today I Have Begotten You": Origen and the Eternal Generation of the Son
7. "One God the Father" and "One Lord Jesus Christ": Arius and the Council of Nicaea
8. Truly God and Truly Man: Defining the Nature of Jesus
9. "And in the Holy Spirit": The Struggle to Understand the Spirit
10. God the Father: "Maker of Heaven and Earth"
11. Binding the Strong Man: The Redemptive Work of Christ
12. "I Will Build My Church": Defining the Church
13. "The Washing of Regeneration": "One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins"
14. The Christian Eschatological Hope: The Resurrection of the Dead
15. "And They Came to Life and Reigned with Christ a Thousand Years": The Millennium
Index

Long Description

This clear and concise text helps readers grasp the doctrines of the Christian faith considered basic from the earliest days of Christianity. Ronald Heine, an internationally known expert on early Christian theology, developed this book from a course he teaches that has been refined through many years of classroom experience. Heine primarily uses the classical Christian doctrines of the Nicene Creed to guide students into the essentials of the faith.This broadly ecumenical work will interest students of church history or theology as well as adult Christian education classes in church settings. Sidebars identify major personalities and concepts, and each chapter concludes with discussion questions and suggestions for further reading.

Details