An Introduction to Christianity for a New Millennium

By (author) Scott Gambrill Sinclair

Publication date:

28 February 2008

Length of book:

176 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

Dimensions:

238x162mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780739124666

Without presupposing prior knowledge this accessibly written introduction to Christianity covers the entire history of the religion from its Old Testament foundations up to the present, including the significant individuals, events, doctrines, and rituals of the faith. Sinclair surveys the major historical forms of Christianity (Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism) and the contemporary issues that divide Christians today (e.g., homosexuality). The book also tackles such difficult topics as the origin and relevance of biblical prophecy, the historicity and significance of the miracles of Jesus (and the resurrection), combining evolution and biblical faith, and producing an intellectually coherent explanation of the Trinity and the Incarnation. Throughout the book, Sinclair carefully explains what he himself believes as a contemporary critical Christian and why, and provides readers with enough information to form their own independent opinions. He also acknowledges the dark side of Christian history—the crusades, anti-Semitism, the wars between Catholics and Protestants, the forced imposition of Christianity on native peoples—even as he celebrates the spiritual depth and dazzling cultural achievements of the largest religion in the world.

Chapter 1: Creation in Genesis 1-2 and Subsequent Christian Thought
Chapter 2: The Fall, Noah, and the Understanding of "Sin" in the Christian Tradition
Chapter 3: The Patriarchs and the Nature of Faith in the Christian Tradition
Chapter 4: The Exodus and the Understanding of God in the Christian Tradition
Chapter 5: A Sketch of the History of Israel under the Judges and Kings; God as Visible in History
Chapter 6: Biblical Prophecy
Chapter 7: Biblical Wisdom, Especially, the Book of Job and the Problem of Whether God is Just
Chapter 8: A Sketch of the History of Israel from the Exile Until the Time of Jesus; Life After Death in the Christian Tradition
Chapter 9: A Sketch of Jesus's Life and Personality
Chapter 10: The Birth of Jesus and the Doctrine of the Incarnation
Chapter 11: The Baptism of Jesus and Baptism in Subsequent Church History
Chapter 12: The Teaching of Jesus
Chapter 13: The Miracles of Jesus and Their Significance
Chapter 14: The Eucharist in the Life of Jesus and Subsequently
Chapter 15: The Death of Jesus and the Doctrine of the Atonement
Chapter 16: The Historical Problem of Whether Jesus Rose from the Dead
Chapter 17: The Significance of the Resurrection for the Early Church
Chapter 18: The Early Church and the Taking of the Gospel to the Gentiles
Chapter 19: The Problem of Who Was Jesus and How Can We Know; John's Gospel
Chapter 20: The Patristic Era
Chapter 21: Monasticism
Chapter 22: Three Major Types of Christianity
Chapter 23: The Challenge of Modernity
Chapter 24: Finding the Feminine in the Christian Tradition
Chapter 25 Chapter 25: Post-European Christianity

To me the overwhelming, indeed stunning, achievement of this work is the way it consistently makes Christian faith and practice in context over time simple without being simplistic, shallow, or conventional. Often contending ideas, which in their day generated emotional heat and volumes of literature, are all given their due, respectually but succinctly and non-technically. One who knows the territory can appreciate the achievement and still learn something. The 'beginner' for whom the work is intended can read and learn much without needing back up texts, glossaries, or other supplemental material. It's all there in an amazingly accessible way.