Christianity

Also by Alister E. McGrath from Wiley Blackwell

Emil Brunner: A Reappraisal (2014) The World of C.S. Lewis (2013) Christian History: An Introduction (2013) Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought, Second Edition

(2012) Reformation Thought: An Introduction, Fourth Edition (2012) Theology: The Basic Readings, Second Edition (edited, 2012) Theology: The Basics, Third Edition (2012) Luther’s Theology of the Cross: Martin Luther’s Theological Breakthrough, Second Edition

(2011) Darwinism and the Divine: Evolutionary Thought and Natural Theology (2011) The Christian Theology Reader, Fourth Edition (edited, 2011) Christian Theology: An Introduction, Fifth Edition (2011) Science and Religion: A New Introduction, Second Edition (2009) The Open Secret: A New Vision for Natural Theology (2008) The Order of Things: Explorations in Scientific Theology (2006) Christianity: An Introduction, Second Edition (2006) Dawkins’ God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life (2004) The Intellectual Origins of the European Reformation, Second Edition (2003) Christian Literature: An Anthology (edited, 2003)* A Brief History of Heaven (2003) The Blackwell Companion to Protestantism (edited with Darren C. Marks, 2003) The Future of Christianity (2002) Reformation Thought: An Introduction, Third Edition (2000) Christian Spirituality: An Introduction (1999) Historical Theology: An Introduction (1998) The Foundations of Dialogue in Science and Religion (1998) The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Modern Christian Thought (edited, 1995) A Life of John Calvin (1990)

* out of print

Christianity An Introduction

THIRD EDITION

Alister E. McGrath

This edition first published 2015 © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Registered Office John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK

Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK

For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell.

The right of Alister E. McGrath to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services and neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McGrath, Alister E., 1953– Christianity : an introduction / Alister E. McGrath. – Third Edition. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-118-46565-3 (pbk.) 1. Christianity. I. Title. BR121.3.M33 2015 230–dc23 2014030311

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Cover image: Interior of the church La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona. Photo © Jose Fuste Raga/Corbis

Set in 10/13pt Minion by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India

1 2015

Preface xii List of Illustrations and Maps xiii

Introduction 1

1 Jesus of Nazareth and the Origins of Christianity 3

2 The Christian Bible 28

3 Christian Creeds and Beliefs 54

4 Christian History: An Overview 121

5 Denominations: Contemporary Forms of Christianity 199

6 The Life of Faith: Christianity as a Living Reality 220

7 Christianity and the Shaping of Culture 251

Conclusion: Where Next? 278

Further Reading 280 Sources of Quotations 284 Index 291

Brief Contents

Contents

Preface xii List of Illustrations and Maps xiii

Introduction 1

1 Jesus of Nazareth and the Origins of Christianity 3 The Significance of Jesus of Nazareth for Christianity 3 The Sources of Our Knowledge about Jesus of Nazareth 5 Jesus of Nazareth in His Jewish Context 7 The Gospels and Jesus of Nazareth 9 The Birth of Jesus of Nazareth 10 The Early Ministry of Jesus of Nazareth 13 The Teaching of Jesus of Nazareth: The Parables of the Kingdom 15 The Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth 17 The Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth 19 Events and Meanings: The Interpretation of the History of Jesus 21 The New Testament Understandings of the Significance of Jesus 22 Jesus of Nazareth and Women 25 The Reception of Jesus of Nazareth outside Judaism 26

2 The Christian Bible 28 The Old Testament 30 Major Themes of the Old Testament 32

The creation 32 A