Overview

The first part of Nicaea and its Legacy offers a narrative of the fourth-century trinitarian controversy. It does not assume that the controversy begins with Arius, but with tensions among existing theological strategies. Lewis Ayres argues that, just as we cannot speak of one `Arian' theology, so we cannot speak of one `Nicene' theology either, in 325 or in 381. The second part of the book offers an account of the theological practices and assumptions within which pro-Nicene theologians assumed their short formulae and creeds were to be understood. Ayres also argues that there is no fundamental division between eastern and western trinitarian theologies at the end of the fourth century. The last section of the book challenges modern post-Hegelian trinitarian theology to engage with Nicaea more deeply.

Full Product Details

Author:   Lewis Ayres (Assistant Professor of Historical Theology, Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion, Emory University)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.712kg
ISBN:  

9780198755050

ISBN 10:   0198755058
Pages:   496
Publication Date:   20 April 2006
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

I. Towards a Controversy 1: Points of Departure 2: Theological Trajectories in the Early Fourth Century I 3: Theological Trajectories in the Early Fourth Century II 4: Confusion and Controversy: AD 325-340 5: The Creation of `Arianism': AD 340-350 II. The Emergence of Pro-Nicene Theology 6: Shaping the Alternatives: AD 350-360 7: The Beginnings of Rapprochement 8: Basil of Caesarea and the Development of Pro-Nicene Theology 9: The East from Valens to Theodosius 10: Victory and the Struggle for Definition III. Understanding Pro-Nicene Theology 11: On the Contours of Mystery 12: `The First and Brightest Light' 13: `Walk Towards Him Shining' 14: `On Not Three Gods': Gregory of Nyssa's Trinitarian Theology 15: The Grammar of Augustine's Trinitarian Theology 16: In Spite of Hegel, Fire and Sword Epilogue: On Teaching the Fourth Century

Reviews

The author's extensive erudition and knowledge of primary and secondary sources...make his achievement almost as remarkable as his initial ambition... This approach to pro-Nicene theology offers some illuminating insights... I maintain my stance on the opposite bank, but am glad to be able to salute a book of such good scholarship and stimulus from the other bank. Maurice Wiles, The Journal of Theological Studies

Author Information

Lewis Ayres is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology, Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion, Emory University.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions