Church History

This monumental two-volume publication brings together in the original languages and an English translation, all the decrees of all the ecumenical councils from Nicaea I to Vatican II. As such it represents an indispensable reference work for theologians and historians, as well as for anyone interested in the development of Christian thought and doctrine. Indeed, these decrees represent the authoritative distillation of Christian tradition which itself is bound together with scripture "in a close and reciprocal relationship" so that the two "form a single sacred deposit of the word of God, entrusted to the church." The original text is a reproduction of the brilliant edition by G. Alberigo and others of the decrees Conciliorum Oecumenicorum Decreta, which provides for the first time a reliable critical text for all the ecumenical councils. The English translation faces each page of the original text and is the first rendering into English of all these decrees taken together. The translators have used inclusive language throughout to emphasize the continuity of conciliar documents. The 2,528 total pages of these two volumes include all the authenticated texts and their English renderings as well as a preface and introduction by the oringinal languages editor, a foreword by the English language editor, a bibliography for each decree, various commentaries and explanatory notes, and ten comprehensive indices.

'That invaluable Christian reference book.' Church Times `Covering the whole range of Christian thought, it is specially valuable to the young student.' Church Quarterly Review This selection of writings from the most important moments in the history of Christianity has become established as a classic work. Now incorporating a wealth of new material, this new edition will be an essential reference source for anyone interested in the Christian Church. While retaining the original material selected by Henry Bettenson, Chris Maunder has added a substantial section of more recent writings. These illustrate the Second Vatican Council; the theologies of liberation; Church and State from 'Thatcher's Britain' to Communist Eastern Europe; Black,feminist, and ecological theology; ecumenism; and inner-faith dialogue. The emphasis on moral debate in the contemporary Churches is reflected in selections dealing with, for example, homosexuality, divorce, AIDS, and in-vitro fertilization. Documents of the Christian Church thus provides insights into the whole 2000 years of Christian theological and politicaldebate.

This is a standard source book for students of the early patristic period. In the new edition, Professor Frend has incorporated vital documents which were not available when the original collection was compiled. The Gnostic documents of Nag Hammadi, extracts from anti-Christian writings of Porphyry of Tyre are now included. Other documents have been slightly abridged or retranslated. Notes and references have been updated and documents are grouped under helpful subject headings which follow a broadly chronological sequence.

The Early Christian Worldpresents an exhaustive, erudite and lavishly illustrated treatment of the first Christian centuries from the Jewish War and fall of the Temple to the final abolition of paganism by Theodosius.

Includes original and English language available editions, along with brief notes on the particular author and her work. "Accessible and thorough.... One could not ask for a more conscientious bibliographer". -- Choice

Starting-point of this book is that for Origen the object of religious knowledge is a mystery. Therefore he shrinks from using 'definitions', by which in his opinion the mystery is literally 'restricted'. This also applies to the Church. About her can only be spoken 'in a manner of speaking' and by means of images. The Bible itself leads the way in this respect. Therefore one must not stick to the literal meaning of the text, but one must try to understand it spiritually. Origen traces the meaning of the biblical images of the Church. Sometimes he elaborates them or puts them in a new context. But he also creates new images to describe the Church and already detects in the Old Testament all kinds of types of the Church. Analyzing all these images the author gives insight in Origen's ecclesiology.