The Great Theologians

A Brief Guide

Gerald R. McDermott

• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781514015483
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religious Biographies

Who are the church's great theologians? What was special about their teaching? What can we learn from them today?

Gerald McDermott has written this book for those who want a solid introduction that is challenging, but not overwhelming. Provocative but satisfying. And not too long. McDermott not only informs us about eleven pivotal theologians from Origen to von Balthasar, but helps us sort out what is of continuing value today.

With study questions at the end of each chapter, this book is perfect for small groups to go through together. As you do, you'll explore your shared theological history and uncover more about what and why you believe. Here's your chance to think with "the greats" about God.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Other Books Written or Edited by Gerald R. McDermott
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• 1 Why Study Theology?
• 2 Origen: Oft-Reviled but “The Greatest Teacher After the Apostles”
• 3 Athanasius: The Black Monk Who Saved the Faith
• 4 Augustine: The Most Influential Theologian Ever
• 5 Thomas Aquinas: The Teacher of the Catholic Church
• 6 Martin Luther: The Monk Who Rose Up Against Heaven and Earth
• 7 John Calvin: Greatest Theologian of the Reformed Tradition
• 8 Jonathan Edwards: America's Theologian
• 9 Friedrich Schleiermacher: Father of Liberal Theology
• 10 John Henry Newman: Anglican Theologian Who Swam the Tiber
• 11 Karl Barth: Most Influential Twentieth-Century Theologian
• 12 Hans Urs von Balthasar: Stellar Catholic Theologian of the Twentieth Century
• 13 What These Theologians Teach Us About Theology
• Notes
• Index
• About the Author
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• Copyright