The History of Apologetics: A Biographical and Methodological Introduction

(Hardback)

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ECPA Christian Book Award 2021 Finalist: Biography & Memoir

Explore Apologetics through the Lives of History's Great Apologists

The History of Apologetics follows the great apologists in the history of the church to understand how they approached the task of apologetics in their own cultural and theological context. Each chapter looks at the life of a well-known apologist from history, unpacks their methodology, and details how they approached the task of defending the faith.

By better understanding how apologetics has been done, readers will be better able to grasp the contextualized nature of apologetics and apply those insights to today's context. The History of Apologetics covers forty-four apologists including:

Part One: Patristic Apologists

• Justin Martyrby Gerald Bray
• Irenaeus of Lyonsby Stephen O. Presley
• Athenagoras of Athensby W. Brian Shelton
• Tertullian of Carthageby Bryan M. Litfin
• Origenby A. Chadwick Thornhill
• Athanasius of Alexandriaby Jonathan Morgan
• Augustine of Hippoby Chad Meister

Part Two: Medieval Apologists

• John of Damascusby Daniel J. Janosik
• Theodore Abu Qurrahby Byard Bennett
• Timothy I of Baghdadby Edward L. Smither and Trevor Castor
• Anselm of Canterburyby Edward N. Martin and Steven B. Cowan
• Saint Thomas Aquinasby Francis J. Beckwith and Shawn Floyd
• Ramon Lullby Greg Peters
• Gregory Palamasby Byard Bennett

Part Three: Early Modern Apologists

• Hugo Grotiusby Bryan Baise
• Blaise Pascalby Tyler Dalton McNabb and Michael R. DeVito
• Jonathan Edwardsby Michael McClymond
• William Paleyby Charles Taliaferro
• Joseph Butlerby David McNaughton

Part Four: 19th C. Apologists

• Simon Greenleafby Craig A. Parton
• John Henry Newmanby Corneliu C. Simut
• Sren Kierkegaardby Sean A. Turchin and Christian Kettering
• James Orrby Ronnie Campbell
• B. B. Warfield by Kim Riddlebarger

Part Five: 20th C. American Apologists

• J. Gresham Machen by D. G. Hart
• Cornelius Van Tilby K. Scott Oliphint
• Gordon Haddon Clarkby Robert A. Weathers
• Francis A. Schaefferby William Edgar
• Edward John Carnellby Steven A. Hein

Part Six: 20th C. European Apologists

• A. E. Taylor by Michael O. Obanla and David Baggett
• G. K. Chesterton by Ralph Wood
• Dorothy Sayersby Amy Orr-Ewing
• C. S. Lewis by Alister McGrath
• Dietrich Bonhoefferby Matthew D. Kirkpatrick
• Lesslie Newbiginby Krish Kandiah

Part Seven: Contemporary Apologists

• John Warwick Montgomeryby Craig A. Parton
• Charles Taylorby Bruce Riley Ashford and Matthew Ng
• Alvin Plantingaby James Beilby
• Richard Swinburneby Greg Welty
• William Lane Craigby R. Keith Loftin
• Gary R. Habermasby W. David Beck and Benjamin C. F. Shaw
• Alister E. McGrathby James K. Dew and Jordan Steffaniak
• Timothy Kellerby Joshua D. Chatraw

Reviews

'This volume employs competent scholars to write about noteworthy apologists throughout the history of the church's intellectual engagement with the unbelieving world. Apologists shouldn't defend the faith in a historical vacuum since we ought to stand on the shoulders of giants. This is the most thorough history of its kind that I know of and will repay careful study for the defense of the faith given once and for all to the saints.' * DOUGLAS GROOTHUIS, professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary, author of Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith *
'This book contains richly developed surveys of the apologetic arguments and approaches of a wide array of the Christian faith's greatest and most influential advocates over the centuries. Though the book is easily readable, it is extraordinarily informative--like the best apologetic works themselves! I learned so much from reading this book, even with regard to authors whose writings I know. Highly recommended to every Christian and especially to clergy and scholars, for whom the task of Christian apologetics is an urgent call.' * MATTHEW LEVERING, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary *
'This is a most valuable guide to the history of Christian apologetics throughout the ages. Expert authors provide readable summaries that will be useful both to those being introduced to the subject and to those who wish to review the wide range of options.' * GEORGE MARSDEN, author of Jonathan Edwards: A Life and C. S. Lewiss Mere Christianity: A Biography *
'The History of Apologetics is a must-have for the shelves of any serious student of apologetics. With an impressive list of contributors, it provides a comprehensive yet detailed survey of various approaches to the defense of the Christian faith from patristic to modern times. Of particular value is the diversity of approaches represented by the apologists included, with notable entries among the more modern figures including John Henry Newman, G. K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, and C. S. Lewis. This provides substantial content for approaches to defending the faith that engage with cultural issues and draw on imagination and the arts as a methodology. The result is a volume that genuinely presents the historical and ecumenical richness of apologetics as a discipline and will serve as a valuable foundation for working apologists.' * HOLLY ORDWAY, Word on Fire Institute Fellow of Faith and Culture, author of Apologetics and the Christian Imagination *

Author Bio

Alister E. McGrath is a biochemist and Christian theologian born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and currently enjoys the Title of Distinction Professor of Historical Theology granted by the University of Oxford. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How it Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture and The Twilight of Atheism: The Rise and Fall of Disbelief in the Modern World. He lives in Oxford, England and lectures regularly in the U.S. Joshua Chatraw (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as the director for New City Fellows and the Resident Theologian at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. His books include Apologetics at the Cross, Cultural Engagement, Truth in a Culture of Doubt, and Truth Matters. He is a fellow with the Center for Pastor Theologians and has served in both pastoral and academic posts during his ministry.