'Thought' is a much wider concept than either 'philosophy' or 'theology'. Throughout the history of the church, Christian thinkers have contributed significantly to the human endeavour to comprehend and express the complexity of existence, both through development of their understanding of the Christian faith, and by their shaping of and response to secular institutions and disciplines. The 13 chapters that make up this Brief History are drawn from the highly acclaimed Oxford Companion to Christian Thought, and are written by distinguished theologians and church historians from both sides of the Atlantic, themselves all notable thinkers. They take the reader on a journey from Pre-Constantinian times to the end of the 20th century. It's a journey not simply through time, however, but across different traditions of Christian thought -- Syriac and Armenian, as well as Eastern Orthodox and Western understandings. Together they offer an appreciation of the roots of the continued vitality and diversity of Christian thought, providing a history of ideas that is relevant to all those, Christian and non-Christian, who will be shaping the thought of the next century and beyond. Book jacket.

The late Adrian Hastings was Emeritus Professor of Theology at the University of Leeds. Alistair Mason recently retired as Senior Lecturer in Church History at the University of Leeds. Hugh Pyper is Head of School and Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies, University of Leeds.