I. Towards a Controversy 1. Points of Departure 2. Theological Trajectories in the Early Fourth Century I 3. Theological Trajectories in the Early Fourth Century II 4. Confusion and Controversy: AD 325-340 5. The Creation of 'Arianism': AD 340-350 II. The Emergence of Pro-Nicene Theology 6. Shaping the Alternatives: AD 350-360 7. The Beginnings of Rapprochement 8. Basil of Caesarea and the Development of Pro-Nicene Theology 9. The East from Valens to Theodosius 10. Victory and the Struggle for Definition III. Understanding Pro-Nicene Theology 11. On the Contours of Mystery 12. 'The First and Brightest Light' 13. 'Walk Towards Him Shining' 14. 'On Not Three Gods': Gregory of Nyssa's Trinitarian Theology 15. The Grammar of Augustine's Trinitarian Theology 16. In Spite of Hegel, Fire and Sword Epilogue: On Teaching the Fourth Century
Lewis Ayres offers a new account of the most important century in the development of Christian belief after Christ. He shows how the doctrine of the Trinity was developed, and in particular argues that a conception of God's mysteriousness and spiritual progress towards understanding is central to that doctrine.
Paperback
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
I. Towards a Controversy 1. Points of Departure 2. Theological Trajectories in the Early Fourth Century I 3. Theological Trajectories in the Early Fourth Century II 4. Confusion and Controversy: AD 325-340 5. The Creation of 'Arianism': AD 340-350 II. The Emergence of Pro-Nicene Theology 6. Shaping the Alternatives: AD 350-360 7. The Beginnings of Rapprochement 8. Basil of Caesarea and the Development of Pro-Nicene Theology 9. The East from Valens to Theodosius 10. Victory and the Struggle for Definition III. Understanding Pro-Nicene Theology 11. On the Contours of Mystery 12. 'The First and Brightest Light' 13. 'Walk Towards Him Shining' 14. 'On Not Three Gods': Gregory of Nyssa's Trinitarian Theology 15. The Grammar of Augustine's Trinitarian Theology 16. In Spite of Hegel, Fire and Sword Epilogue: On Teaching the Fourth Century
Lewis Ayres offers a new account of the most important century in the development of Christian belief after Christ. He shows how the doctrine of the Trinity was developed, and in particular argues that a conception of God's mysteriousness and spiritual progress towards understanding is central to that doctrine.
Description
The first part of Nicaea and its Legacy offers a narrative of the fourth-century trinitarian controversy. It does not assume that the controversy begins with Arius, but with tensions among existing theological strategies. Lewis Ayres argues that, just as we cannot speak of one Arian' theology, so we cannot speak of oneNicene' theology either, in 325 or in 381. The second part of the book offers an account of the theological practices and assumptionswithin which pro-Nicene theologians assumed their short formulae and creeds were to be understood. Ayres also argues that there is no fundamental division between eastern and western trinitarian theologies at theend of the fourth century. The last section of the book challenges modern post-Hegelian trinitarian theology to engage with Nicaea more deeply.
Critic Reviews
“The author's extensive erudition and knowledge of primary and secondary sources...make his achievement almost as remarkable as his initial ambition... This approach to pro-Nicene theology offers some illuminating insights... I maintain my stance on the opposite bank, but am glad to be able to salute a book of such good scholarship and stimulus from the other bank.”
Maurice Wiles, The Journal of Theological Studies
About the Author
Lewis Ayres is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology, Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion, Emory University.
The first part of Nicaea and its Legacy offers a narrative of the fourth-century trinitarian controversy. It does not assume that the controversy begins with Arius, but with tensions among existing theological strategies. Lewis Ayres argues that, just as we cannot speak of one Arian' theology, so we cannot speak of oneNicene' theology either, in 325 or in 381. The second part of the book offers an account of the theological practices and assumptions
within which pro-Nicene theologians assumed their short formulae and creeds were to be understood. Ayres also argues that there is no fundamental division between eastern and western trinitarian theologies at the
end of the fourth century. The last section of the book challenges modern post-Hegelian trinitarian theology to engage with Nicaea more deeply.
Product Details
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.
Browse by category
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality » Christianity » Christian Denominations & Sects
- Books
- Books » Non-Fiction
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality » Christianity
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality » Christianity » Theology
- Books » Non-Fiction » Arts & Entertainment » Music » Musical Genres
- Books » Non-Fiction » Arts & Entertainment
- Books » Non-Fiction » Arts & Entertainment » Music
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality » Christianity » History
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality » Judaism » Sermons
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality » Judaism
