At the dawn of the third millennium, what does it mean to be a Christian? This ambitious and imaginative new reference work is the most authoritative, yet accessible, introduction in English to the living tradition of Christian thought-the 'spiritual, moral, and intellectual luggage' that Christians carry with them into the future. It focuses on the broad sweep of ideas rather than factual detail, surveying all traditions and centuries but concentrating more on the present than the past. The profound pluralism of Christianity determines the choice of subjects as well as the way they are handled, with contributors from all the main traditions writing with sympathy on their own particular topic, expressing diversities of emphasis and even significant disagreements, making the text highly readable, challenging, and at times controversial. Over 600 alphabetically arranged articles cover * the roots of Christian belief in the Old and New Testaments * the major themes of belief and theology: creation, sin, resurrection, grace, justification, the eucharist * key schools and concepts of philosophy * spiritualities, lifestyles, and prayer * politics, social justice, and ethics * major Christian thinkers, and non-Christian influences * extensive surveys of Christian thought by period, denominational tradition, and region * controversial modern topics -globalization, medical ethics, sexuality The range of subjects is matched by an unrivalled selection of 260 contributors, scholarly, innovative, and cross-cultural. These include * MORNA HOOKER on Paul, CAROL HARRISON on Augustine, URSULA KING on Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, KAREN KILBY on Karl Rahner, EUAN CAMERON on Martin Luther, BRIAN GERRISH on Friedrich Schleiermacher, BRUCE MCCORMACK on Karl Barth, ROGER SHINN on Reinhold and H. Richard Niebuhr * JOHN BARTON on the Authority and Interpretation of the Bible, DAVID FORD on Christology, AVERY DULLES on Faith, DAN HARDY on the Church, RICHARD BAUCKHAM on Eschatology, WILLIAM LANE CRAIG on Cosmology, DIOGENES ALLEN on Philosophy * MARCELLA ALHAUS-REID on Liberation Theology, WILLIE JAMES JENNINGS on Black Theology, DAVID MCLELLAN on Marxism, DAVID BURRELL on Jewish-Christian Relations, JOHN BROOKE on Science * LLOYD PATTERSON on Pre-Constantinian Thought, ANDREW LOUTH on Byzantine Theology, ROWAN WILLIAMS on Russian Christian Thought, HUGH PYPER on the Old Testament, ADRIAN HASTINGS on God

About the Author
Adrian Hastings studied history at Oxford (1946-9) and theology in Rome (1953-7). He has worked in Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia (between 1958 and 1972). He was a research officer at the School of Oriental and African Studies (London) 1973-6, a lecturer and reader in Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen, 1976-82, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Zimbabwe, 1982-5, and Professor of Theology at the University of Leeds, 1985-94. In 1992 he was awarded a DD honoris causa by the University of Edinburgh. He was a founder member of the Alliance to Defend Bosnia-Herzegovina and is now a Trustee of the Bosnian Institute.

Reviews
a book to browse in, savour and enjoy * Expository Times, 01/09/01 *
refreshingly honest, thoughtful, and varied . . . It is a guide for everyone . . . You cannot but be stimulated * Crucible April-June 2001 *
a rich source . . . The articles are well informed and thorough . . . This book is well worth having * Association of Christian Teachers Spring 2001 *
It's a reliable and lively encyclopedia * Christian Century 21/02/01 *
The merits of this Companion are considerable and will ensure wide success * Henry Chadwick TLS 16/02/01 *
wide-ranging
. . .the Companion has many virtues and deserves a large readership . . . .the Companion is well produced and - given its size- reasonably priced * Rupert Shortt, Financial Times, 20/01/2001 *
" It is sheer pleasure to read an article- on almost any subject you care to name- written by an expert . . . . an A plus for pleasure; . . . excellent value" * Quentin De La Bedoyere, Catholic Herald, 15/12/00 *
" a feast of knowledge and wisdom" * David Edwards, The Tablet 23/12/00 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198600244
Author Adrian Hastings
Format Hardback
Page Count 808
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 2150g
Dimensions(mm) 227mm * 284mm * 54mm