The Great Theologians

Who are the church's great theologians? What was special about their teaching? What can we learn from them today?

Gerald McDermott has written this book for those who want a solid introduction that is challenging, but not overwhelming. Provocative but satisfying. And not too long. McDermott not only informs us about eleven pivotal theologians from Origen to von Balthasar, but helps us sort out what is of continuing value today.

With study questions at the end of each chapter, this book is perfect for small groups to go through together. As you do, you'll explore your shared theological history and uncover more about what and why you believe. Here's your chance to think with "the greats" about God.



Gerald R. McDermott (PhD, University of Iowa) is Anglican Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He is also associate pastor at Christ the King Anglican Church. His books include The Other Jonathan Edwards: Readings in Love, Society, and Justice (with Ronald Story), The Theology of Jonathan Edwards (with Michael McClymond), A Trinitarian Theology of Religions (with Harold Netland), Cancer: A Medical and Spiritual Guide (with William Fintel, MD), Jonathan Edwards Confronts the Gods and World Religions: An Indispensable Guide.



Acknowledgments



1 Why study theology?



2 Origen - oft-reviled but "the greatest teacher after the apostles"



3 Athanasius - the black monk who saved the faith



4 Augustine - the most influential theologian ever



5 Thomas Aquinas - the teacher of the Catholic Church



6 Martin Luther - the monk who rose up against heaven and earth



7 John Calvin - greatest theologian of the Reformed tradition



8 Jonathan Edwards - "America's theologian"



9 Friedrich Schleiermacher - father of liberal theology



10 John Henry Newman - the Anglican theologian who swam the Tiber



11 Karl Barth - most influential 20th-century theologian



12 Hans Urs von Balthasar - stellar Catholic theologian of the twentieth century



13 What these theologians teach us about theology



Index