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The History of Christian Theology

By: Phillip Cary, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Phillip Cary
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Summary

In this 36-lecture course, you'll find an engaging way to explore profound religious questions and the many responses believers, scholars, and theologians have developed over more than 2,000 years. Through this series, Professor Cary reveals the enduring power of the Christian tradition - as both an intellectual discipline and a spiritual path.

These lectures begin at the very dawn of Christianity, as you examine some of the earliest examples of scripture recorded by the first communities of the faithful. You'll see how, over the centuries, these teachings developed into the orthodox teachings of the mainstream church as well as the divergent doctrines taught by splinter groups branded as "heretics." You'll explore the causes and outcomes of the split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church during the Middle Ages and examine the explosion of the many Protestant groups that resulted from the Reformation in the 16th century. And finally, you'll come to the modern era, with a survey of the evolution of Christian thought in today's society - the ongoing story of how faith persists in an increasingly secularized world.

Each lecture illuminates the conceptual structure of Christian theology as it connects to spiritual practices such as prayer, worship, the use of sacraments, and the contemplation of religious icons. Through lucid and engaging explanations, they provide intriguing analyses of theological ideas in their unique historical, social, and biographical contexts to help you understand the power of each tradition within its particular time and place. The result is a sweeping survey that probes some of the most common questions about Christian faith over the centuries.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2008 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2008 The Great Courses
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What listeners say about The History of Christian Theology

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Outstanding

This is a fantastic and well presented lecture series on a fascinating subject. I highly recommend it.

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Very interesting!

But could have been presented better. I did enjoy the professor's enthusiasm and love for the subject!

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Very thorough

I have often wondered what has happened in Christianity during the 2000 years since the 1st century movements of the Apostles.
One thing to look at is a history of key people and movements, which I have done. These lectures are the history of theology. It helps explain why some of the "truths" you hear from your pulpet are not mentioned in the Bible. A lot has come from the long history of theological development.
I have to say I was quite disturbed that virtually none of these theological developments went back to what Jesus actually said and did whilst on earth.

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Simply fantastic

Great scholarship and fascinating insights in an easy to listen to style. Highly recommended for those interested in history or theology.

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Excellent

Various strands of Christian thought explained clearly without obvious bias or misinformation / disinformation.

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Gracias for the Knowledge

Totally enjoyed the history lesson which in my opinion stayed on topic relentlessly and remarkably. I found the lessons balanced and generous in spirit and content but sufficiently opinionated to raise a hackle or two in a number of places which exposes one of us. So thank you for that too. Thank you teacher, really super quality job.

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An excellent and enjoyable overview

What made the experience of listening to The History of Christian Theology the most enjoyable?

The lecturer obviously knows his subject and delivers the material clearly and enthusiastically.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well obviously there aren't characters in this sort of book. I found the section on the different strands of protestant theology during the reformation most informative but the information on the Catholic response most thought provoking. Prof Cary was remarkably even handed throughout.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's far too long for that and you need to take it in chunks to let the material settle into your memory. After I finished it I went straight back too replay some of the more important lectures.

Any additional comments?

I know quite a lot about this stuff so some of it was, for me, a little Theology 101, but still worth listening to. I think it only really suitable for those sympathetic to Christianity. An atheist listener may well find it all rather too bizarre to persevere with. For those who have an understanding of faith, particularly if they wish to know more about where other denominations than their own are coming from I highly reccomend it.

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Brilliant

I have always been interested in knowing how we got here (today's variety of theology). Prof Cary brilliantly lays this out in simple and interesting ways, managing to pull off the impossible - staying objective without hiding his opinion. Highly recommended for those who are interested in following Paul's advice in 2 Timothy 2:15 (study to show yourself approved...)

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poor

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

what sums this up is the quote from Professor cary that history does not matter it is theology that matters

Has The History of Christian Theology put you off other books in this genre?

some of the great courses series on religion are really good and actually take the historical critical view of the bible which actually tells you something of the time these books were wrote and what it can tell us

What didn’t you like about Professor Phillip Cary’s performance?

often got his words mixed up

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The History of Christian Theology?

most of it that is historically inaccurate

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