Christian Theologies of Salvation: A Comparative Introduction

by Justin S Holcomb

Overview

Essays exploring pivotal spiritual figures over two millennia and their doctrines of salvation. 
 
Salvation has been a key focus of Christian theology since the first days of the church. Theologians from St. Augustine to Karl Barth have debated the finer points of salvation for nearly as long, offering a bewildering array of competing and often contradictory theories. 
 
Christian Theologies of Salvation traces doctrines of salvation from the first century into the twenty-first century. Each chapter focuses on a different major theologian, first presenting the theologian’s doctrine of salvation, then highlighting how the doctrine makes a distinct contribution to the church’s overall dogma. The volume offers a comparative focus, including doctrines of salvation that reflect the historical development of Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant views.
 
By illuminating the ways in which doctrines of salvation have evolved over the church’s history, Justin Holcomb takes us across the teachings of Origen and Augustine, John Calvin and Martin Luther, and eventually to the more modern theologies of Karl Barth and Gustavo Gutiérrez. A much-needed map to the options and implications of different theologies of salvation, this book is essential reading for students and scholars of Christian thought.
 
“Holcomb has assembled a fine group of scholars to look at four major periods, patristic, Middle Ages, Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the 18th to 21st centuries . . . [A] solid study of important voices on Christian salvation.” ―Choice
 
“An important tool in helping theological students and pastors explore their own theological tradition while at the same time prompting deeper conversations with ecumenical partners.” —Paul Galbreath, Union Presbyterian Seminary

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814760642
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	11/21/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	381
Sales rank:	584,155
File size:	555 KB

About the Author

Justin S. Holcomb is Affiliate Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Canon for Vocations in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, and editor of Christian Theologies of Scripture (2006) and Christian Theologies of Sacraments (2017), both of which are available at NYU Press.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Mapping Theologies of Salvation Justin S. Holcomb 1

Part I Patristic

1 sPatristic Theologies of Salvation: An Introduction D. H. Williams 11

2 Origen of Alexandria Thomas P. Scheck 22

3 Irenaeus of Lyons John Behr 41

4 Saint Augustine David Vincent Meconi, SJ 59

5 Athanasius John Yocum 76

6 The Cappadocians Andrew Radde-Gallwitz 95

Part II Middle Ages

7 Theologies of Salvation in the Middle Ages: An Introduction David Hogg 115

8 Anselm of Canterbury Giles E. M. Gasper 124

9 Saint Thomas Aquinas R. Jared Staudt 143

10 Julian of Norwich Kerrie Hide 160

Part III Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation

11 Theologies of Salvation in the Reformation and Counter-Reformation: An Introduction Frank A. James III 181

12 Martin Luther Carl R. Trueman 191

13 John Calvin J. Todd Billings 208

14 The Catholic Reform Donald S. Prudlo 225

Part IV Eighteenth to Twenty-First Centuries

15 Theologies of Salvation from the Eighteenth to Twenty-First Centuries: An Introduction Ryan M. Reeves 251

16 John Wesley Thomas H. McCall 261

17 Friedrich Schleiermacher's Theology of Salvation James R. Gordon 281

18 Karl Barth Tom Greggs 300

19 Hans Urs von Balthasar and Karl Rahner W. T. Dickens 318

20 Gustavo Gutiérrez Michael Edward Lee 344

About the Contributors 363

Index 369

Editorial Reviews

"Christian Theologies of Salvation offers summary statements on salvation as understood by major Christian writers from the first century to contemporary times. This study allows the reader to trace both varieties and continuities in this doctrine as it developed in Western Christianity. It balances informed treatment of the nuances in individual figures with a vision of the big picture in which these sources have given rise to divergent strands of tradition and practice. It will serve students well as a reference on both headings."

S. Mark Heim

"In this valuable textbook of Christian sacramental theologies, editors Justin Holcomb and David Johnson provide a highly serviceable introduction and map to different approaches to the means of grace by key representatives of a sizable range of Christian theological traditions."

The Living Church

"A promising, informative, and thoughtful exploration of distinctive aspects of the doctrine of salvation. This work breaks ground by showing the historical roots and hermeneutical moves made by important theological figures which led to particular interpretations of salvation. This collection of essays serves as an important tool in helping theological students and pastors explore their own theological tradition while at the same time prompting deeper conversations with ecumenical partners."

Union Presbyterian Seminary - Paul Galbreath

"Holcomb has assembled a fine group of scholars to look at four major periodspatristic, Middle Ages, Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the 18th to 21st centuries...[A] solid study of important voices on Christian salvation."

Choice

"Holcomb has assembled a fine group of scholars to look at four major periods—patristic, Middle Ages, Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the 18th to 21st centuries...[A] solid study of important voices on Christian salvation."- Choice

"A promising, informative, and thoughtful exploration of distinctive aspects of the doctrine of salvation. This work breaks ground by showing the historical roots and hermeneutical moves made by important theological figures which led to particular interpretations of salvation. This collection of essays serves as an important tool in helping theological students and pastors explore their own theological tradition while at the same time prompting deeper conversations with ecumenical partners."-Paul Galbreath,Union Presbyterian Seminary

" Christian Theologies of Salvation offers summary statements on salvation as understood by major Christian writers from the first century to contemporary times. This study allows the reader to trace both varieties and continuities in this doctrine as it developed in Western Christianity. It balances informed treatment of the nuances in individual figures with a vision of the big picture in which these sources have given rise to divergent strands of tradition and practice. It will serve students well as a reference on both headings." -S. Mark Heim,Andover Newton at Yale Divinity School

From the Publisher