The "dangerous idea" lying at the heart of Protestantism is that the interpretation of the Bible is each individual's right and responsibility. The spread of this principle has resulted in five hundred years of remarkable innovation and adaptability, but it has also created cultural incoherence and social instability. Without any overarching authority to rein in "wayward" thought, opposing sides on controversial issues can only appeal to the Bible—yet the Bible is open to many diverse interpretations. Christianity's Dangerous Idea is the first book that attempts to define this core element of Protestantism and the religious and cultural dynamic that this dangerous idea unleashed, culminating in the remarkable new developments of the twentieth century.
At a time when Protestants will soon cease to be the predominant faith tradition in the United States, McGrath's landmark reassessment of the movement and its future is well-timed. Replete with helpful modern-day examples that explain the past, McGrath brings to life the Protestant movements and personalities that shaped history and the central Christian idea that continues to dramatically influence world events today.

Christianity's Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution--A History from the Sixteenth Century to the Twenty-First

History

McGRATH, Alister

World

HarperOne

In Heresy, leading religion expert and church historian Alister McGrath reveals the surprising history of heresy and rival forms of Christianity, arguing that the church must continue to defend what is true about Jesus. He explains that remaining faithful to Jesus’s mission and message is still the mandate of the church despite increasingly popular cries that traditional dogma is outdated and restricts individual freedom.

Heresy: A History of Defending the Truth

A New Interpretation of Protestantism and Its Impact on the World
The radical idea that individuals could interpret the Bible for themselves spawned a revolution that is still being played out on the world stage today. This innovation lies at the heart of Protestantism's remarkable instability and adaptability. World-renowned scholar Alister McGrath sheds new light on the fascinating figures and movements that continue to inspire debate and division across the full spectrum of Protestant churches and communities worldwide.

Why the Church must defend the truth. Our ongoing fascination with alternative Christianities is on display every time a never-before-seen gospel text is revealed, an archaeological discovery about Jesus makes front-page news, or a new work of fiction challenges the very foundations of the church. Now, in a timely corrective to this trend, renowned church historian Alister McGrath examines the history of subversive ideas, overturning common misconceptions that heresy is somehow more spiritual or liberating than traditional dogma. In so doing, he presents a powerful, compassionate orthodoxy that will equip the church to meet the challenge from renewed forms of heresy today.

Historical Study & Educational Resources

Recovering the forgotten discipline of Natural Philosophy for the modern world This book argues for the retrieval of 'natural philosophy', a concept that faded into comparative obscurity as individual scientific disciplines became established and institutionalized. Natural philosophy was understood in the early modern period as a way of exploring the human relationship with the natural world, encompassing what would now be seen as the distinct disciplines of the natural sciences, mathematics, music, philosophy, and theology. The first part of the work represents a critical conversation with the tradition, identifying the essential characteristics of natural philosophy, particularly its emphasis on both learning about and learning from nature. After noting the factors which led to the disintegration of natural philosophy during the nineteenth century, the second part of the work sets out the reasons why natural philosophy should be retrieved, and a creative and innovative proposal for how this might be done. This draws on Karl Popper's 'Three Worlds' and Mary Midgley's notion of using multiple maps in bringing together the many aspects of the human encounter with the natural world. Such a retrieved or 're-imagined' natural philosophy is able to encourage both human attentiveness and respectfulness towards Nature, while enfolding both the desire to understand the natural world, and the need to preserve the affective, imaginative, and aesthetic aspects of the human response to nature.

Natural Philosophy: On Retrieving a Lost Disciplinary Imaginary

Religion & Spirituality

Oxford University Press

The Renewal of Anglicanism

Christian Books & Bibles

SPCK Publishing

Christianity's Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution - A History from the Sixteenth Century to t

SPCK/Sheldon Press

Light wear to cover, owner's inscription. Shipped from the U.K. All orders received before 3pm sent that weekday.

Christian Belief for Everyone: Faith and the Creeds

The Christian Belief for Everyone series comprises five reliable, accessible and readable guides to the basic ideas of the Christian faith. Full of stories and helpful illustrations, these guides have been written primarily for ordinary churchgoers, but will also appeal to interested readers outside the Church. In this fourth volume of the series, we explore three interconnected themes: the activity of God in the world, as we experience the Holy Spirit infusing our lives with purpose and joy; the graciousness of God, who despite our constantly messing things up, loves us because God is loving; and the importance of the Church as the community of faith, in which we catch a glimpse - no matter how inadequate! - of the glory of heaven. The Spirit of Grace may be read as complete in itself, or with the other four titles in the series - Faith and the Creeds, The Living God, Lord and Saviour: Jesus of Nazareth and The Christian Life and Hope - to gain a thorough understanding of Christian belief. 'Highly recommended.' - Church of England Newspaper 'Again and again, Alister McGrath elegantly performs that central task of any teacher: to enable his students and readers, starting from the familiar ground of of what they already know, to go on to explore new territory, and begin to see an expanded horizon.' - Church Times

Christian Belief for Everyone: Lord and Saviour: Jesus of Nazareth

One of the world's most popular theologians explores the comforting yet mysterious place of the Holy Spirit in the life of faith. The fourth volume in this highly engaging series of study guides to the basics of Christian belief looks at the Holy Spirit, human nature, the doctrine of grace, and the place of the church in the Christian life. Full of stories and helpful illustrations, the material has been tested out on congregations to ensure that it is enjoyable, useful, and easy to read! Spirit of the Living God follows the well-received Faith and the Creeds (February 2013), The Living God (September 2013) and Lord and Saviour: Jesus of Nazareth (April 2014). The Christian Life and Hope will be published in April 2015.

Christian Belief for Everyone: The Spirit of Grace

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by McGRATH, Alister. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by McGRATH, Alister

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by McGRATH, Alister. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Christianity's Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution--A History from the Sixteenth Century to the Twenty-First

Heresy: A History of Defending the Truth

Christianity's Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution--A History from the Sixteenth Century to the Twenty-First

Heresy: A History of Defending the Truth

Natural Philosophy: On Retrieving a Lost Disciplinary Imaginary

The Renewal of Anglicanism

Christianity's Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution - A History from the Sixteenth Century to t

Christian Belief for Everyone: Faith and the Creeds

Christian Belief for Everyone: Lord and Saviour: Jesus of Nazareth

Christian Belief for Everyone: The Spirit of Grace