This book presents the historical development Christianity's most crucial doctrines. Each doctrine is presented in conjunction with Wayne Grudem's treatment of them in his classic work Systematic Theology. As such, the doctrines are presented topically and then each is discussed individually in accordance with how various historical figures have understood them. Thus, while historical in scope, Historical Theology remains systematic in its format, rather than tracing the doctrines in linear progression.
As such Historical Theology treats seven major doctrinal areas along with Grudem including:
The Doctrine of the Word of God
The Doctrine of God
The Doctrine of Humanity
The Doctrines of Christ & The Holy Spirit
The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption
The Doctrine of the Church
The Doctrine of the Future
It is easy to see that the treatment of these doctrines in this format easily makes them accessible, understandable, and eminently applicable to the Christian life, and the church. The emphasis is on specific tenets of Christianity and its formulation in the early church, through the Middle Ages, Reformation, and post-Reformation era, and into the modern period.
The text includes a generous mix of primary source material as well, citing the works of the following theologians and many others:
Cyprian
Augustine
Aquinas
Luther
Calvin
Barth
and others
Allison references the most accessible editions of these notable theologians' work so that readers can continue their study of historical theology through Christian history's most important contributors. Historical Theology is a superb resource for those familiar with Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology or interested in understanding the development of Christian theology.
