Description
Volume 1: The Apostolic Fathers to Augustine
In the first volume of Sin, Grace and Free Will, Matthew Knell embarks on a journey through centuries of Christian thought, from the Apostolic Fathers to St Augustine of Hippo. While the themes of sin, grace and free will are familiar to any Christian, Knell provides a comprehensive overview of how people such as Irenaeus, Gregory of Nazianzus and Augustine explored these ideas, following the development of early church philosophy on topics such as the problem of evil and the crucial difference between conscious and unconscious sin, as well as the distinction between body and soul.
An indispensable primer for any beginning scholar, Sin, Grace and Free Will presents the writings of Christian thinkers of the early church in context and examines the progress of church doctrine from the nascent model of sin in the Shepherd of Hermas to Origen’s analysis of divine influence on human will and Augustine’s seminal work on grace and salvation.
Volume 2: From Anselm to the Reformation
In the second volume, a new journey begins with Anselm of Canterbury and leads to the Council of Trent.
While the themes of sin, grace and free will are familiar to any Christian, Knell provides a comprehensive overview of the thought on such matters of crucial Christian thinkers and reformers. In doing so, the second volume explores not only the Catholic way of dealing with these central topics, but also Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and John Calvin’s views and different approaches.
An indispensable primer for any beginning scholar, Sin, Grace and Free Will presents the writings of Christian thinkers in their own contexts, and examines the progress of church doctrine.
About the Author
Matthew Knell is Lecturer in Historical Theology and Church History at the London School of Theology, as well as lecturing for Notre Dame University, Indiana, in the London Global Gateway and for the London programme of Biola University. He studies historical theology and is the author of The Immanent Person of the Holy Spirit from Anselm to Lombard: Divine Communion in the Spirit (2009). In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters and his students past and present.
Contents
Volume 1: The Apostolic Fathers to Augustine
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Early Church Views
2. Irenaeus
3. Tertullian
4. Origen
5. The Greek Fathers on Sin
6. The Greek Fathers on Grace
7. The Greek Fathers on Free Will
8. Early Augustine
9. Late Augustine
Epilogue: After Augustine
Final Thoughts
Bibliography
Index
Volume 2: From Anselm to the Reformation
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Anselm of Canterbury
2. Bernard of Clairvaux
3. Peter Lombard
4. Thomas Aquinas on Sin
5. Thomas Aquinas on Grace
6. Thomas Aquinas on Free Will
7. Martin Luther
8. Huldrych Zwingli
9. John Calvin
10. The Council of Trent
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Endorsements and Reviews
Volume 1: The Apostolic Fathers to Augustine
Knell should be commended for his hard work in collecting the various quotations and passages contained within this volume.
Andrew C. Chronister, in Theologische Revue, 2019, no 6.
[T]his is a brilliant first volume of an important new series. Clearly laid out, nicely written, and throughout comprehensive, this is an excellent introduction into what early church thinkers actually though about sin, grace and free will. I would recommend it to those studying in these areas, as well as to pastors thinking deeply about these issues or perhaps wrestling with them themselves. Matt writes from his own perspective, but lets the sources speak for themselves, and is keen for the readers to make their mind up. I look forward to the next volume, and the next phase of church history. Knell is an able and warm guide!
Thomas Creedy, www.thomascreedy.com, December, 2017.
Reading this book could be helpful for those who have not really studied the early fathers. This book will certainly expose them to a plethora of original sources and in this manner, Knell’s book can be considered a success.
Herzer, Mark A. PhD, Pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church in Warminster PA in The Confessional Presbyterian, pp. 226, Volume 14, 2018.
Volume 2: From Anselm to the Reformation
There are other books on sin, grace and free will, written from a systematic or historical perspective, but this book is unique. It focusses on the primary texts and contains substantial extracts from them. So this ‘historical survey’ can indeed justly be called a ‘reader’. The extensive extracts enable readers to experience the writings of the early church fathers for themselves and, where they wish, go back to these writings to read more. A very useful work that is heartily recommended.
Tony Lane, Professor of Historical Theology, London School of Theology.
Well-argued, clear and engaging … an ideal resource for teaching and writing on medieval and reformation theology, it is highly recommended.
Nathan Hood, in Expository Times, Vol 131(1), October 2019.
I found that Knell’s representational approach to themes in sin, grace and free will was well-executed, because he took great care to address points of conflict between the thinkers, but without privileging on thinker over another. The complexity of thought presented in the selected passages “stretches our minds well beyond any automatic understanding”, but Knell’s didactic approach to knowledge exchange inspires that mental “stretch” by making it fulfilling.Sheena Jary, Renaissance and Reformation, 43.2, (Spring 2020).
Sin, Grace and Free Will: A Historical Survey of Christian Thought by Matthew Knell is a significant contribution to the study of Christian theology. Its comprehensive coverage of the doctrines of sin, grace, and free will, combined with its use of primary sources, makes it an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the history of Christian thought. This two-volume work is an essential addition to any theological library.Marc Daniel Rivera in KristiyaKnow, August, 2024.
