Historians of the Christian Tradition: Their Methodology and Influence on Western Thought

Description

Historians of the Christian Tradition: Their Methodology and Influence on Western Thought is a comprehensive anthology edited by Michael Bauman and Martin Klauber. The book examines the lives, works, and methodologies of significant historians who have shaped the understanding of Christian history and its influence on Western thought.

Overview
The book begins with an exploration of historical development in the Old and New Testaments, setting the theological foundation for later Christian historiography.

It then progresses chronologically, starting with early church historian Eusebius of Caesarea (3rd century) and moving through to modern scholars such as Jaroslav Pelikan, Martin E. Marty, and Heiko Oberman.

Key Features
Each chapter provides:

A brief biography of the historian.

An overview of their major works.

An analysis of their methodology and theological influences.

A bibliography for further study.

The volume covers a wide range of figures, including:

F.C. Bauer, influenced by Hegelian philosophy.

Roman Catholic historians like John Henry Newman and Christopher Dawson.

Reformation scholars such as Jean Henri Merle d’Aubigné and William Cunningham.

Influential Protestant historians like Philip Schaff and Kenneth Scott Latourette.

Themes
The book highlights how historians’ theological beliefs, cultural contexts, and personal experiences shaped their interpretations of history.

It also explores the methodologies used to integrate theology into historical narratives, providing critical assessments of these approaches.

Strengths and Limitations
Strengths: The book offers a broad scope, thoughtful evangelical perspectives, and a deep dive into the motivations and biases of each historian. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of Christian historiography.

Limitations: The absence of a table of contents or index detracts from its usability as a reference work.

This volume is recommended for those interested in church history, historical methodology, or the intersection of theology and historiography.