Sin, Grace and Free Will: A Historical Survey of Christian Thought

By Matthew Knell

A three volume series exploring the development of the concepts of sin, grace and free will in Christian theology, beginning with the Church Fathers.

ISBN: 9780227176061

Description

Volume 1: The Apostolic Fathers to Augustine
In the first volume of Sin, Grace and Free Will, Matthew Knell embarks on a journey through centuries of Christian thought, from the Apostolic Fathers to St Augustine of Hippo. While the themes of sin, grace and free will are familiar to any Christian, Knell provides a comprehensive overview of how people such as Irenaeus, Gregory of Nazianzus and Augustine explored these ideas, following the development of early church philosophy on topics such as the problem of evil and the crucial difference between conscious and unconscious sin, as well as the distinction between body and soul.

An indispensable primer for any beginning scholar, Sin, Grace and Free Will presents the writings of Christian thinkers of the early church in context and examines the progress of church doctrine from the nascent model of sin in the Shepherd of Hermas to Origen’s analysis of divine influence on human will and Augustine’s seminal work on grace and salvation.

Volume 2: From Anselm to the Reformation
In the second volume, a new journey begins with Anselm of Canterbury and leads to the Council of Trent.

While the themes of sin, grace and free will are familiar to any Christian, Knell provides a comprehensive overview of the thought on such matters of crucial Christian thinkers and reformers. In doing so, the second volume explores not only the Catholic way of dealing with these central topics, but also Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and John Calvin’s views and different approaches.

An indispensable primer for any beginning scholar, Sin, Grace and Free Will presents the writings of Christian thinkers in their own contexts, and examines the progress of church doctrine.

Additional information

Dimensions 234 × 156 mm
Pages 268 (Volume 1), 296 (Volume 2)
Format

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Volume

Volume 1  |  Volume 2

Trade Information JPOD

About the Author

Matthew Knell is Lecturer in Historical Theology and Church History at the London School of Theology, as well as lecturing for Notre Dame University, Indiana, in the London Global Gateway and for the London programme of Biola University. He studies historical theology and is the author of The Immanent Person of the Holy Spirit from Anselm to Lombard: Divine Communion in the Spirit (2009). In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters and his students past and present.

Contents

Volume 1: The Apostolic Fathers to Augustine

Acknowledgements
Introduction

1. Early Church Views
2. Irenaeus
3. Tertullian
4. Origen
5. The Greek Fathers on Sin
6. The Greek Fathers on Grace
7. The Greek Fathers on Free Will
8. Early Augustine
9. Late Augustine

Epilogue: After Augustine
Final Thoughts

Bibliography
Index

Volume 2: From Anselm to the Reformation

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. Anselm of Canterbury
2. Bernard of Clairvaux
3. Peter Lombard
4. Thomas Aquinas on Sin
5. Thomas Aquinas on Grace
6. Thomas Aquinas on Free Will
7. Martin Luther
8. Huldrych Zwingli
9. John Calvin
10. The Council of Trent

Conclusion

Bibliography
Index

Extracts

Volume 1: The Apostolic Fathers to Augustine

Volume 2: From Anselm to the Reformation

Endorsements and Reviews

Volume 1: The Apostolic Fathers to Augustine

Knell should be commended for his hard work in collecting the various quotations and passages contained within this volume.
Andrew C. Chronister, in Theologische Revue, 2019, no 6

Volume 2: From Anselm to the Reformation

There are other books on sin, grace and free will, written from a systematic or historical perspective, but this book is unique. It focusses on the primary texts and contains substantial extracts from them. So this ‘historical survey’ can indeed justly be called a ‘reader’. The extensive extracts enable readers to experience the writings of the early church fathers for themselves and, where they wish, go back to these writings to read more. A very useful work that is heartily recommended.
Tony Lane, Professor of Historical Theology, London School of Theology

Well-argued, clear and engaging … an ideal resource for teaching and writing on medieval and reformation theology, it is highly recommended.
Nathan Hood, in Expository Times, Vol 131(1), October 2019