His recent book is entitled christianitys dangerous idea. That this book isnt on all the usual reformation bookstalls is a sad shame. The protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twenty first paperback published october 18th 2007 by spck publishing paperback, 552 pages. Christianitys 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 has unleashed. A blog about christianity, theology, religion and public life.
Warranted christian belief christian classics ethereal. In this book alister mcgrath attempts to tell the story of protestantism from its beginnings in the sixteenth century right up to the present day. The protestant revolution, a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst, by alister mcgrath, harper collins usa and spck uk, 2007. Introduction alister mcgrath was born in belfast, northern ireland in 1953. The protestant revolutiona history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst ebook.
Mcgrath, an anglican himself, traces the tension that had begun to build up in europe on the eve of the reformation. Christianitys dangerous idea is, as its subtitle claims, a history of the protestant revolution from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst. The ideas behind christianity are more than thoughts or abstractionstheyre powerful truths that can change the world for good. The dangerous idea lying at the heart of protestant.
Mcgrath has the expertise to tell a story stretching from the reformations origins. A new interpretation of protestantism and its impact on the worldthe radical idea that individuals could interpret the bible for themselves spawned a revolution. Alister e mcgrath a new interpretation of the protestant reformation provides an alternate perspective on the faiths core idea about individuals having direct access to god without the need for priest and. In the protestant tradition, all individuals have direct access to god without the mediation of priests or institutions to establish boundaries. Christianitys 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. The protestant revolutiona history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst by alister mcgrath due to covid19, orders may be delayed. Christianitys dangerous idea is not only valuable as a history and examination of protestantism, it is an especially good book on what it means to be a protestant and how that meaning has shifted significantly since the movements beginning. The protestant revolutiona history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst alister e.
A history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst tags. He has written several books, including the twilight of atheism and in the beginning. Christianitys dangerous idea the protestant revolutiona. The dangerous idea is that there is no authority apart from the bibleyet the bible is open to many diverse interpretations. Christianitys dangerous idea the protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst by alister. This year my book is alister mcgraths christianitys dangerous idea. The protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst. Christianitys dangerous idea the protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst. Throughout the fascinating book, he takes a simplistic approach by furthering the reformation accounts in three main points.
Alister mcgrath considers the basic protestant ethos, that the church is to be shaped by the bible, and considers how that simple belief has made protestant church history a history of revolutions. Christianitys dangerous idea full product description now in paperback, the most readable introduction to the history, theology and presentday practices of protestantism publishers weeklya worldrenowned scholar offers a new interpretation of the protestant reformation and its. It could be a supplemental textbook or reference for seminary students because it has enough historical, theological, and technical details of that era to give students a good. The dangerous new idea, firmly embodied at the heart of the protestant revolution, was that all christians have the right to interpret the bible for themselves. It is true that the defining pro testant idea is dangerous. A five star read that youll want to share with others. It could be a supplemental textbook or reference for seminary students because it has enough. Christianitys dangerous idea the presbyterian outlook. 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. Introduction after reading the first few pages of alister mcgraths book christianitys dangerous idea, the authors intent and purpose for the work are made obvious. The protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst san francisco. The protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst is an absorbing and illuminating read. The protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst is a very concise history of protestantism from its beginnings just before the medieval ages until about 2007.
Christianitys dangerous idea the protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst alister e. The protestant revolution, a history from the 16th century to the 21st by alister mcgrath harperone the dangerous idea in the title is that every individual has the right and responsibility to interpret the bible. This book is about the intellectual or rational acceptability of christian belief. He lives in oxford, england, and lectures regularly in the united. The protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst first edition by alister mcgrath isbn. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Mcgrath in memory of stephen charles neill 19001984 contents introduction pa r t i origination 1 15 1 the gathering storm 17 2 the accidental revolutionary martin luther 37.
He is currently the chair in theology, ministry, and education at the university of london. Christianitys dangerous idea 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. Mcgrath divides his book into three large sections. Worldrenowned scholar alister mcgrath sheds new light on the fascinating figures. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including christianitys dangerous idea, in the beginning, and the twilight of atheism. The amazingly prolific over a dozen books since 1999 alone alister mcgrath. I have read other books about the reformation, and often they are too technical and detailed for the average reader.
Mcgrath takes this as a fitting epigram to the entire protestant engagement with the bible. Barrett, author of the world christian encyclopedia, contemporary christianity has experienced an explosion of what he calls neoapostolic movements. In about 500 pages mcgrath attempts a history of protestantism unlimited by geography or denomination from the prereformation humanists to the modern day. Alister mcgraths book christianitys dangerous idea.
It is a remarkable retelling of a sprawling tale across all the years and all the miles, including fascinating profiles. The protestant revolutiona history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst is a very concise history of protestantism from its beginnings just before the medieval ages until about 2007. Mcgrath states, the dangerous new idea, firmly embodied at the heart of the protestant revolution, was that all christians have the right to interpret the bible for themselves p. This is the second book ive read by mcgrath and am finding him to be a new favorite author. The protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst, by alister mcgrath. Christianitys dangerous idea alister mcgrath paperback. Christianitys dangerous idea alister mcgrath, prof. Alister mcgrath cant be faulted for lack of ambition with his book christianitys dangerous idea.
Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide. Alister e mcgrath this book sets out to explore the inner identity of the prostestant movement, and its implications for the religious future of humanity. A new interpretation of protestantism and its impact on the worldthe radical idea that individuals could interpret the bible for themselves spawned a revolution that is still being played out on the world stage today. A longtime professor at oxford university, he now holds the chair in theology, ministry, and education at the university of london. A history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst, by alister mcgrath, has been one of my favorite and most frequently revisited books during this quincentennial of protestantisms great gospel reclamation. Protestants as a whole believe that there is always more truth to be found in the word, which is why they adopted the dangerous idea in the first place.
A number of factors have moved him to write this book, including a desire to accommodate new research on both prereformation and. This innovation lies at the heart of protestantisms remarkable instability and adaptability. Addressing the volatile ideas that challenge the cultural and religious status quo, samples offers a biblical, historical, and philosophical exploration of the resurrection, incarnation, creation ex nihilo, compatibility of faith and reason, justification by grace. So writes alvin plantinga in the first line of the preface to his book, warranted christian belief. Christianitys 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. In the text, he says the dangerous new idea, firmly embodied at the heart of the protestant revolution, was that all christians have the right to interpret the bible for themselves. The book is the third volume of a series by plantinga discussing the warrant i. Its three major sections explore the history of the movement, engage with the distinctive features of protestant belief and practice, and offer a provocative assessment of protestantisms global future. It could be a supplemental textbook or reference for seminary students because it has enough historical, theological, and technical details of that era to. This is mcgraths third book title borrowed from his atheist bete noir richard dawkins. When martin luther stepped up to the doors of wittenberg castle church with hammer, nails and paper 500 years ago on tuesday, he had no idea of the momentous events he was about to unleash. The protestant revolution a history from the sixteenth century to the twentyfirst by alister mcgrath trade paper at the best online prices at ebay.
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