The Origin and Development of Christian Dogma: An Essay in the Science of History offers a historical look at how Christian beliefs grew from earlier faiths.
It explains how the distinctive features of Christian doctrine emerged from Judaism and later influences, through careful historical inquiry.
Delve into how early ideas about God, salvation, and the afterlife took shape. The book traces the movement from a Jewish monotheism to a new religious system, and it discusses how the story of Jesus, his death, and the Lord’s Supper helped form core dogmas. It also considers why formal Judaism’s forms were set aside as Christianity developed.
- How monotheism and patriotism in ancient Israel helped seed later Christian beliefs
- How Judaism's laws and rituals influenced early Christian practice and symbolism
- How the Passover story and the idea of sacrifice shaped views of atonement
- Why Christian dogma evolved through long historical processes
Ideal for readers of religious history and those curious about how complex beliefs arise from earlier traditions and cultural change.