The History of Christian Theology

By: Phillip Cary, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Phillip Cary

Length: 18 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's 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

Been Waiting for This

This is a great course with a great professor. He covered a wide range of deep topics in an easy to understand way. I would definitely look for other courses by him. I also thought that he offered a number of fascinating insights about why these theological issues matter. My only criticism is that the course would be better titled History of Protestant Theology orbsomething- it does not cover Eastern Orthodox or Catholic theology past the point where Protestant history splits off, which was a little disappointing. Overall a GREAT course.

15 of 15 people found this review helpful

Christian Theology through Protestant Eyes.

Where does The History of Christian Theology rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would have to rate it quite high for it`s clarity, listenability and overall informative-balance.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The History of Christian Theology?

There were many insightful moments but my most memorable was the ending with reference to Hans Ur Von Balthasar.

What does Professor Phillip Cary bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A warm human, informed and balanced connection.

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

On one level yes, but on another level one sitting would not have enabled me to take it all in. I will definitely relisten to this book.

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent book for neophyte Protestants or for non-protestants interested in Protestantism and their view of Christian theology.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Impressed

If you could sum up The History of Christian Theology in three words, what would they be?

Very good overview

Who was your favorite character and why?

Professor Cary was very knowledgeable

Which scene was your favorite?

It was especially helpful the way Cary would compare and contrast throughout the course, such as the differences and similarities between the Eastern and Western churches, or those between Luther and Calvin to name a couple.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Each period of Christian thought was informative, but as my knowledge of medieval thought was especially sparse, Cary's lectures on Anselm, Aquinas, and others were particularly helpful.

Any additional comments?

Informative overview of the history of Christian thought.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Excellent comprehensive overview

Where does The History of Christian Theology rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The best so far

What does Professor Phillip Cary bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Professor Cary is a phenomenal lecturer - really brings to life the history with his charismatic delivery.

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

That would be difficult, this series is like drinking out of a fire hydrant... there's so much here, it should be tackled in sections and listened to again as desired.

Any additional comments?

I'm on my third time through the series and have been learning a lot each time through. I'm also in a systematic theology for seminary, and it's always great to see the symmetry with what I'm learning in class in this lecture series. Professor Cary really gives each perspective a fair shot, not just saying what they believed, but also WHY they believed it. Cary not only provides the historical content, but also shares the parts of theology that he finds beautiful and wonderful. If you're looking for a comprehensive overview of the theology of the Christian Church, this is a must! You won't regret it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

An excellent course.

Outstanding course. Easily one of the best I've ever listen to. Highly recommended. I look forward to listening to more courses from this professor.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Good Comprehensive and Balanced Course

Where does The History of Christian Theology rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was my first Great Courses audiobook and I enjoyed the detail and the comprehensive knowledge of the professor.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the comprehensive nature of this series of lectures. I think it is important to put the modern church in its historical context. This course helped me better understand modern Roman Catholics, Eastern orthodox, pentecostals, fundamendalists, and my own progressive protestant church. It has given me a rich background to appreciate the challenges of modern theology and Christian community. It also gives perspective to parallel art, music, and political history.

What about Professor Phillip Cary’s performance did you like?

Professor Cary is very easy to listen to and engaging. He is not judgmental about the different variations of Christian theology. He is intellectual yet sympathetic to diverse doctrines in the church. He takes great effort to define terms well.

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

No. This is something you want to soak up a little at a time. Like during long walks.

Any additional comments?

The material may be a little difficult to follow if you have no background in a Christian religion, but is easy to understand as a layperson. You may be disappointed if you want more history on Eastern orthodox traditions.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great historical and theological overview.

wonderful review of the varios roads Christianity has tsken over the years. Veey conversstional presentation style, too.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Incredible

What did you love best about The History of Christian Theology?

Summarizes the origin of the major denominations within Christendom in a thorough and engaging way.

What about Professor Phillip Cary’s performance did you like?

Very engaging, very complete.

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

19 hours in one sitting is not likely, but wow. Maybe 4 or 5 sittings if I had the time and focus.

Any additional comments?

Do more courses, Dr. Cary!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Didn't meet expectations, probably my fault

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would only if the friend was more interested in abstract philosophy than in the lived experience of Christianity over time. This is my overall problem with the lecture series. It's probably unrealistic to expect from a philosophy/theology professor, but I missed the social context. It's often the WHY, not the WHAT, that makes religious development so interesting. E.g., what were the influences on Augustine that sparked him to fashion a theology that was relatively more "rational" than Dionysus's heavily mystical version in the east? How did ordinary Christians assume these theological changes into their worship and everyday experiences? In other words, how did theological developments come about and what differences did they make?

What was one of the most memorable moments of The History of Christian Theology?

Honestly, I was too disappointed overall to be struck by any individual moments.

What aspect of Professor Phillip Cary’s performance would you have changed?

I wish his lectures had been less extemporaneous and more structured. He was often repetitious in ways that didn't aid understanding. Also I sometimes found his informality about the subject matter a bit jarring.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, just didn't care for it.

Any additional comments?

None of my comments are meant to detract from Professor Cary's knowledge and his obvious love of his subject. He is erudite and enthusiastic; just not my cup of tea.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Great summary of 2000 years of church theology

Would you listen to The History of Christian Theology again? Why?

I will very likely listen to this again. There are a lot of good tidbits of information in regards to how the churches, denominations, etc., started to differ and became the churches we know today.

Any additional comments?

The course is ambitious to try to cover 2,000 years of church theology, but I think the author does a great job summarizing most of the key events and formations of theology for such a large span of time. The lecturer kept my attention more than I expected, and I've started getting more of "The Great Courses" audio books because of the experience with this one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Simply fantastic

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

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

Very interesting!

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

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

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

0 of 2 people found this review helpful