History of Dogma, Volume 2

Name: History of Dogma, Volume 2
Author: Adolf von Harnack

By Adolf von Harnack

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About This Book

The work traces how early Christianity became an organized church by fixing its authoritative standards: short baptismal confessions developed into an apostolic rule of faith, a selection of writings crystallized into an authoritative scriptural collection, and local leadership offices were redefined as apostolic succession embodied in the episcopate. It examines the roles of apologists and theologians, liturgical and catechetical practices, regional variations in development, and the pressures exerted by rival interpretations that prompted doctrinal consolidation, arguing that these processes gradually secularized Christianity into a structured institutional religion.

About the Author

Adolf von Harnack

Adolf von Harnack was a prominent German theologian and church historian, known for his influential works on the development of Christian doctrine. His most notable contributions include the two-volume "History of Dogma," where he examines the evolution of Christian beliefs and practices from their origins through the early church. Harnack's scholarship is characterized by a critical approach to historical texts and a focus on the historical context of religious ideas. His work has had a lasting impact on the fields of theology and religious studies, making him a significant figure in the study of early Christianity.