Throughout the history of Christianity, there have been theological disputes that caused fissures among the faithful. There were the major ruptures of the Great Schism of 1054 and the Protestant Reformation. Since the Reformation, though, there has been an eruption of new denominations. The World Christian Database now list over 9000 worldwide. And new denominations are created every day, often when a group splits off from an established church because of a dispute over doctrine or leadership. With such a proliferation of denominations, could there possibly be one core Christian message that all churches share? That's the question that Ted Campbell sets out to answer in this book. He begins his examination of Christian doctrine where it started: in the gospels. He then shows how the gospel has been received and professed by Christian communities through the centuries, from the first "proto-Orthodox" Christian communities right through the modern evangelical, Pentecostal, and ecumenical movements. Campbell shows that, despite all the divisions, there is indeed a single unifying core of the faith that all Christians share. In the process, he offers a brief, well-written, and acceptable history of Christian doctrine that will be ideal for courses in the history of Christian thought.

About the Author
Ted A. Campbell was born in Beaumont, Texas, and was educated at Lon Morris College, the University of North Texas, Oxford University, and Southern Methodist University, where he received the PhD degree in 1984. He served as a faculty member at a variety of theological institutions including Duke Divinity School and Wesley Theological Seminary, and also as president of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He currently serves as Associate professor of Church History at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

Reviews
Campbell's book is a helpful overview of a problem that faces anyone who encounters the Christian gospel, whether in devotional liturgical or academic settings...a stimulating and useful book. * Jane Heath, Journal for the Study of The New Testament *
There is much wisdom in this book... [it] should be read attentively by all those who are committed to ecumenical dialogue. * Nicholas King, The Tablet *



Book Information
ISBN 9780195370621
Author Ted A Campbell
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 347g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 155mm * 18mm