Christian Apologetics Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader: Volume 1, To 1500
Overview
The apostle Peter tells us always to be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks us to account for our hope as Christians (1 Peter 3:15). While the gospel message remains the same, such arguments look different from one age to another. Christian Apologetics Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader: Volume 1, To 1500 is an unprecedented anthology of apologetics texts with selections from the first century AD through the Middle Ages. This first of two volumes, edited by William Edgar and K. Scott Oliphint, features primary source documents from the time of the early church (100-400) and the Middle Ages (400-1500). Featured apologists include Aristides, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm, and Thomas Aquinas. The authors also provide a preface to each major historical section, with a timeline and a map, and an introduction to each apologist. Each primary source text is followed by questions for reflection or discussion purposes.
In the Logos editions, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Includes works from theologians and apologists in the early church and Middle Ages
- Introduces each major historical division and each apologist
- Features diagnostic questions at the end of each chapter
- The Early Church: The Struggle for Vindication
- Biblical Texts
- Aristides
- Justin Martyr
- Athenagoras
- Irenaeus
- Tertullian
- Origen
- Athanasius
- John Chrysostom
- Augustine
- The Middle Ages: The Church Becomes Established
- Boethius
- Peter Abelard
- Anselm
- Thomas Aquinas
- Raymond Lull
- Girolamo Savonarola
Top Highlights
“2. The Christians were accused of immorality, specifically, cannibalism and incest.” (Page 37)
“For I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.13 For this also I believe,—that unless I believed, I should not understand.” (Page 373)
“Unlike the Aristotelian, the Pythagorean was an intellectually demanding philosopher. The chief dogma of Pythagorean philosophy was that salvation comes by way of knowledge.” (Page 40)
“ the analogy of proper proportionality cannot apply to God!” (Page 400)
“Not unlike Anselm, he discusses in the first part the reasons for the incarnation and concludes that there was no other way God could be merciful while at the same time holding to his own standards of justice. God alone, through Christ, who is his image, could renew humanity in that image. If the figure on a painting becomes obliterated, the painter must ask the model to come in again and sit for him. Similarly when mankind had obliterated its righteousness through sin and idolatry, God himself came in the flesh to seek and to save the lost.” (Page 174)
The texts here assembled are ‘classics’—not in the sense that they answer all legitimate questions about Christianity, but that, when they were written, they made their readers think hard about the faith, and that they continue to do so today. This is a most worthy collection.
—Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame
Bill Edgar, one of evangelicalism’s most valued scholars and apologists, has given us in this work with Scott Oliphint a classic destined to be used for generations. I highly recommend it to all who are called to defend the faith.
—Charles Colson, founder, Prison Fellowship and the Colson Center for Christian Worldview
This collection is superbly done and will bring much needed wisdom to our own times.
—David F. Wells, distinguished senior research professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
For years I have wanted a book of primary sources in apologetics to use in my classes. Now we have an excellent one in this volume.
—John M. Frame, J.D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida
Edgar and Oliphint have skillfully selected the best pre-Reformation sources. Their volume, the first of two, fills a gap in scholarly resources and highlights the strength, wisdom, and solidity of defenders of the faith in earlier times.
—J.I. Packer, board of governors’ professor of theology, Regent College
William Edgar (DTheol, University of Geneva) is professor of apologetics and coordinator of the apologetics department at Westminster Theological Seminary. His books include Reasons of the Heart, The Face of Truth, and Truth in All Its Glory.
K. Scott Oliphint. (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and has written numerous scholarly articles and books, including God With Us. He is also the co-editor of the two-volume Christian Apologetics Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader and Revelation and Reason: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics.
Reviews
1 rating
Roxanne
8/7/2016
Dale Courtney
2/23/2015
Would love to own this in my Logos library. But the Kindle edition is $10 for both volumes.
