Christianity's Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution--A History from the Sixteenth Century to the Twenty-First

Alister McGrath

Harper Collins, Sep 25, 2007 - Religion - 560 pages

The "dangerous idea" lying at the heart of Protestantism is that the interpretation of the Bible is each individual's right and responsibility. The spread of this principle has resulted in five hundred years of remarkable innovation and adaptability, but it has also created cultural incoherence and social instability. Without any overarching authority to rein in "wayward" thought, opposing sides on controversial issues can only appeal to the Bible—yet the Bible is open to many diverse interpretations. Christianity's Dangerous Idea is the first book that attempts to define this core element of Protestantism and the religious and cultural dynamic that this dangerous idea unleashed, culminating in the remarkable new developments of the twentieth century.

At a time when Protestants will soon cease to be the predominant faith tradition in the United States, McGrath's landmark reassessment of the movement and its future is well-timed. Replete with helpful modern-day examples that explain the past, McGrath brings to life the Protestant movements and personalities that shaped history and the central Christian idea that continues to dramatically influence world events today.

Contents

• The Gathering Storm: 17
• The Accidental Revolutionary: 37
• Manifestation: 197
• Believing and Belonging: 243
• The Structures of Faith: 277
• Protestantism and the Shaping of: 311
• Protestantism the Arts and the Natural Sciences: 351
• Transformation: 387
• Tongues of Fire: 415
• The New Frontiers of Protestantism: 439
• Protestantism: 461

About the author

Alister E. McGrath is a historian, biochemist, and Christian theologian born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A longtime professor at Oxford University, he now holds the chair in theology, ministry, and education at the University of London. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including Christianity's Dangerous Idea, In the Beginning, and The Twilight of Atheism. He lives in Oxford, England, and lectures regularly in the United States.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Christianity's Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution--A History from the Sixteenth Century to the Twenty-First
• Author: Alister McGrath
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Harper Collins, 2007
• ISBN: 0060822139, 9780060822132
• Length: 560 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christian Church / History