Heretics for Armchair Theologians

Armchair Theologians

by Justo L. González, Catherine Gunsalus González

In this unique Armchair volume, noted church historians Justo and Catherine Gonzalez introduce readers to important early church figures whose teachings were denounced by the church as heresies. Instructional for what they taught and for revealing what the church wished to safeguard and uphold, these "heretics," including Marcion, Arius, Nestorius, and Pelagius, are engagingly presented in their contexts through a clear and accessible text that is highlighted by the humorous illustrations of Ron Hill. Heretics for Armchair Theologians is an enjoyable way to learn about the church's early life and beliefs. Written by experts but designed for the novice, the Armchair series provides accurate, concise, and witty overviews of some of the most profound moments and theologians in Christian history. These books are essential supplements for first-time encounters with primary texts, lucid refreshers for scholars and clergy, and enjoyable reads for the theologically curious.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Church History

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Justo L. González, author of the highly praised three-volume History of Christian Thought and other major works, attended United Seminary in Cuba, received his MA at Yale, and was the youngest person to be awarded a PhD in historical theology at Yale. He is one of the few first generation Latino theologians to come from a Protestant background. He helped to found the Association for Hispanic Theological Education and the Hispanic Theological Initiative. Dr González is now on the faculty of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little book covering the major “heretics” of the first five centuries. The authors do not try to present these men as evil or anti-Christian at all. On the contrary, they were sincere people trying to understand the Christian faith in their own context, asking important questions and seeking to lead others to what they took to be a fuller understanding of the Gospel. The authors eventually describe a “heretic” as a person who carries one truth about God too far, such that it distorts other doctrine. For example, who can comprehend the Trinity? The divine mystery gets out of balance by focusing too heavily on any one aspect.

You’ll see how Marcion’s early ideas shaped Christianity; heretical views did serve a role in sharpening Christian theology. You’ll learn how Augustine battled Pelagius. You’ll learn about the Ebionites, Docetists, Gnostics, and Montanists. You’ll learn how Christology developed and the Trinitarian battles, which the authors explain with a cute baseball analogy.

All of this is extremely well-written, informative yet friendly. The book goes into just enough theology as necessary to paint a descriptive picture of each Christian offshoot. Very highly recommended and fun to read.

[Uhhmainduhmeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can not be overstressed how good this book is. It isn't good because I agree with the author's conclusions and analogies in every instance (I do not), nor is it good because it's written in a particularly interesting way (it is not). The cover and title would lead you to believe it's pop-theology but it isn't that, either.

The author here lays out the pertinent facts of early heretical ideas, why the church had to respond to those ones in particular (not every errant idea necessitates a council) and how it went about formulating those responses. He does so logically and simply. The information is boiled down to exactly the correct amount of information. Any more and it would only be accessible for theology nerds in their heretics era, keen on parsing every gray thread woven into a given heresy and its response. Any less and it would be dumbed down, suitable only for agnostics who wish to know just enough about the historical church to scoff at its dealings but not enough to risk coming into contact with the saving gospel.

A really stellar effort. A great book for modern Christians to begin to get a handle on early heresies. The distance in time gives us the benefit of emotionally-detached reading while the undeniable fact of the matter is that there truely is nothing new under the sun. Bad ideas vary only in intensity and numerical advocacy, not in genesis and execution. So understanding the one (past) ennables us to evaluate the other (current).

[Katrine Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Partial read and rating...was a good church forum book..alas without our social church gatherings this book is just really dry for me. Shelving as read as I'm tired of staring at it telling me I should be reading it.

[Rainer Erani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. A very quick read. Justo is quickly becoming one of my favorite Church Historians. He has such a humility and generosity toward those he disagrees with. For sure helps me be more gracious toward heretics and especially gracious toward their hearts. This book gave a great survey of a few heresies in the first few centuries of the church. I’d only recommend this to someone with a passion for church history, and I probably wouldn’t recommend it as an intro into the whole discipline. But I’m excited to read more in the Armchair Theologians series. It shows great promise!

[Linda M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for those who want to find out about the heretical doctrines in the first 3 or 4 centuries of Christianity. Justo & Catherine Gonzalez discuss heretics, such as Ebionites, Gnosticism, Marcion, and others in a way for those of us who aren't theology experts. I bought this book when I was in Education for Ministry. It help me to better understand early church history better.

Kudos to Ron Hill for his wonderful illustrations. They are priceless!

[Brian Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed several entries in the "Armchair Theologians" series, but found this one to be exceptionally clear as well as insightful--very useful as an introductory text as well as worthwhile for those more familiar with the field. I would have appreciated better attention to original sources, but as a whole this was a joy to read.

[Briana Grenert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful, interesting, accurate!

[Daniel Borcky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice and concise review of heretics in the first 4 centuries of the Christian church. Very well done, witty, and easy to read.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good overview of early heretics in the Christian church. It's a pretty short read and I will likely use it for future highschool students.

[Ari · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book focuses on the early church and how they worked out the core beliefs of the catholic church. There were many people, with many ideas that all had to be sorted through for what would become orthodox and what would become heresy and this book is about that process. This book explains why Christians today believe what they do.
It is clearly written for the armchair theologian, not for the scholar. Nearly every page features a cartoon on the subject. There are no footnotes to sort through, quotes are not cited adequately, all those fallacies that usually make me crazy in non-fiction are brushed off because this isn’t a scholar’s book. If you can overlook that, and a severe lack of detail, and you’re interested in the topic-give the book a read, it’s funny. Otherwise, there’s better material on the same subject available.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short non-fiction work provides brief introductory level essays on various heresies and theological debate topics. The writers fairly treat the heretics—they were men and women who sought to declare God's truth, but pride in their own wisdom became their folly. The book is not "academic," but it is written by academics. So the book is well researched. Nevertheless if you want a theology textbook you should not purchase this book.

[Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best in the "Armchair Theologians" series (so far, anyway). The Gonzalezs make difficult ideas simple, without being trite (like some of the other books of the series do). They also deal appropriately when drawing connections between ancient heresies and modern religious movements, leaving the reader to draw our own conclusions about which fit where (usually).

[John Mundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just skimmed this. Looked good for nonscholarly audiences, lots of appropriate cartoons. Definitely aimed at a Protestant audience with a few shots at Catholics. Humorous. I recommend instead McGrath's Heresy: A History of Defending the Truth for those who already have some background in patristics.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright... chapter by chapter the authors covered the major historic heresies. This particular series (Armchair Theologians) uses some pretty annoying cartoons. I find them distracting. Otherwise the book was a decent read.

[Meghan]

I appreciated how the authors overviewed the main early heretics while not verbally burning them at the stake. At the same time they showed how the church's response to these early heretics shaped the future of our beliefs as Christians and what we consider "orthodox."

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great cursory introduction to "heretics" in church history. Gonzalez' writing style and humor make the book a light enjoyable read. I rarely give five stars but this book gets them.

[David Withun · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Carlos Vallarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

You learn so much in this little out of the way books and you niggysob then darn christianities.

[John Hanscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overview.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Mostly readable with goofy cartoon along the way.