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Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe Paperback – May 1, 2007

by Ben Quash (Editor), Michael Ward (Editor), Stanley Hauerwas (Foreword)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 71 ratings
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What don't Christians believe? Is Jesus really divine? Is Jesus really human? Can God suffer? Can people be saved by their own efforts?

The early church puzzled over these questions, ruling in some beliefs and ruling out others. Heresies and How to Avoid Them explains the principal ancient heresies and shows why contemporary Christians still need to know about them. These famous detours in Christian believing seemed plausible and attractive to many people in the past, and most can still be found in modern-day guises. By learning what it is that Christians don't believe--and why--believers today can gain a deeper, truer understanding of their faith.
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  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Baker Academic
  4. Publication date
    May 1, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0801047498
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0801047497
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

What don't Christians believe? Is Jesus really divine? Is Jesus really human? Can God suffer? Can people be saved by their own efforts?

The early church puzzled over these questions, ruling in some beliefs and ruling out others. Heresies and How to Avoid Them explains the principal ancient heresies and shows why contemporary Christians still need to know about them. These famous detours in Christian believing seemed plausible and attractive to many people in the past, and most can still be found in modern-day guises. By learning what it is that Christians don't believe--and why--believers today can gain a deeper, truer understanding of their faith.

"This is a deeply refreshing book, full of exciting ideas. It manages both to be generous to the heretics and to show the beauty of orthodoxy. It is theologically profound while being immensely readable."--Timothy Radcliffe, former Master of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans)

"This is broadband, big-picture theology, brightly clear and easy to read--not in the least bit 'dogmatic' in the contemporary, negative sense of that word."--The Very Rev Dr Paul Zahl, former rector, All Saints Church, Maryland; former president and dean, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Pennsylvania

About the Author

The Revd Dr Ben Quash is Professor of Christianity and the Arts, King's College, London, and  author of Theology and the Drama of History. Dr. Michael Ward is Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, Professor of Apologetics, Houston Baptist University, Texas, and author of Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Baker Academic; Reprint edition (May 1, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0801047498
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0801047497
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 71 ratings

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  1. Michael B. Thompson

    Michael B. Thompson

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  2. Michael Ward

    Michael Ward

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    "Michael Ward has established himself not only as the foremost living Lewis scholar, but also as a brilliant writer" (N.T. Wright in The Times Literary Supplement). Dr Ward is Associate Member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford and Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University, Texas. On the fiftieth anniversary of C.S. Lewis's death, Ward unveiled a permanent national memorial to him in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey. He presented the BBC television documentary, 'The Narnia Code', made by Bafta-winning director, Norman Stone. He handed a pair of X-ray spectacles to Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond film, 'The World Is Not Enough', and played the part of C.S. Lewis's vicar in 'The Most Reluctant Convert', starring Max McLean and Nicholas Ralph. A Catholic priest in real life, Ward assists at Hinksey Parish in Oxford, alongside his work as an academic. He read English at Oxford, Theology at Cambridge, and has a PhD from St Andrews. More details at www.michaelward.net.

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
71 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jeffrey Young
5.0 out of 5 stars New paperback, "Heresies and How to Avoid Them"
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2013
Verified Purchase
This new paperback book, "Heresies and How to Avoid Them", arrived within four days, an example of excellent customer service. I am thoroughly pleased to recommend this seller.
This book is a good research tool for people of Christian beliefs and for Christian academics who need to ensure their Christian beliefs have not accidentally or inadvertently slipped into heresy, with the best of intentions, without being cognizant of it, for example, misunderstanding the Trinity, or the concept of free will in freeing oneself from original sin and temptation.
2 people found this helpful
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David W. Stroud
5.0 out of 5 stars Proper Identification and Discussion of Common Heresies
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2009
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This is an excellent and highly readable review of the common heresies encountered today in many conversations. It addresses the matters of the differing positions on the divinity of Jesus and the humanity of Christ and the actual physical reality of the Incarnation quite well. I have been reading this type of material in more scholarly presentations for quite some time (since college actually) because of encounters with proponents of these beliefs. Not since Dorothy L. Sayers' dealings with the matters have I had so much enjoyment in the reading. While these essays lack some of the pungency and wit of Ms. Sayers, they share in her remarkable ability to communicate clearly and well the matter at hand, the orthodox response, and the explication of the orthodox response. I have thoroughly enjoyed this material and unreservedly recommend it to the seeker, the pastor, and the teacher. It is worth every cent of the cost and every moment spent perusing and re-reading!
5 stars!!!!!
7 people found this helpful
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Mama G
5.0 out of 5 stars A good book to have
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2019
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Well written and very helpful
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R A Hill
4.0 out of 5 stars Are You A Heretic? Find Out Today!
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2008
Verified Purchase
This is a very readable book, owing to the fact that each chapter was originally a sermon, which had actually been preached, not just written. Each chapter details a different heresy following the same pattern: What is it, what are the key Scriptures concerning it (whether supportive or destructive), then the sermon itself detailing the historical form the heresy took and in fulfillment of the title, a how to avoid them today. A strength of this book is the sometimes sympathetic look it gives to the heretic himself. It is not the case with all heretics of the early church that they simply wanted to destroy the truth or somehow distort it for personal profit. Many of the men labeled heretic were as sincere about their faith as the orthodox opponents who eventually triumphed over them. They were just wrong. An excellent aspect of the chapters is that they provide some perspective on the "what if" factor of the heretic. What if Arius was right, what would that mean to Christianity? This brings the reader into the debate and allows him or her to understand that these teachings were not declared heretical because they differed from the people in power, but because they really were contrary to the consistent teaching of Christ.

The format of the book makes it a quick book to read. The information packed into each chapter is definitely worth keeping on hand. This book will become a handy reference for those who confuse all the heretical -isms; one chapter per heresy makes it easy to find what you're looking for. The only criticism I have is that the last part of every chapter was devoted to seeing how each heresy was present today and how to avoid it, and this seemed a little forced in some of the chapters. For example, chapter 4 on Eutychianism, the author was forced to concede that this was not a prevalent heresy today, even though he continued from there to tell the reader how to avoid it.
16 people found this helpful
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God Bless the Midwest
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2010
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*****

As a huge Michael Ward fan, I was pleased to discover "Heresies". I was also pleased to see this little paperback centered around the controversies on the nature of Christ, and controversies on the nature of salvation. The author's are eclectic, but the synthesis is good.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about Heresies (and even how to avoid them).

*****
5 people found this helpful
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Rock
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2014
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Love this book! Definitely helps one to think and rethink their theology. Great buy.
One person found this helpful
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audrey lanier
3.0 out of 5 stars Heresies
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2015
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Found this difficult to read. Used as a small group study resource.
One person found this helpful
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MFelan
5.0 out of 5 stars Truth Be Told
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2013
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Wonderful book and very well written to teach and correct the truth about Christ and to avoid heresies. Glory to God, read and obey His word ( the Bible)
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

MLC
5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining as well as informative
Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book provided backgrounds for heresies with which I am familiar (such as Arianism and Gnosticism, for example), but also introduced me to ones I had never heard of (Theopaschitism and the heresy of the Free Spirit). I particularly liked the way the authors related heresies of the past to our present-day circumstances, pointing out that old heresies don't die but persevere in a variety of forms no matter how far away we get from their origins. The book ends with a chapter on Trinitarianism and why it is an essential belief, something all Christians need to know and understand given the modern-day denials of it by Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons. I recommend the book highly.
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Tigger
5.0 out of 5 stars Confused by all the 'isms'?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
Deals with most of the 'isms' (Donatism, gnosticism etc..) and the councils that tried to explain these complex issues. It does this well. Gives a potted history of Christology and is very readable as it is written as a series of short sermons which tackle the subject of heresy (I did not know that even some heresies can be good!!) and gives a great guide for those who are studying Christology or are tackling the complex issues through house groups, cell groups or in sermons.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars In short digestible bites.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2017
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Each heresy was looked st by a different writer. Each presented in their own style. Well written, tackled difficult subjects intelligibly.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Heresies made easy ?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2017
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Excellent collection of essays/sermons setting out case for beliefs that could have become orthodox and why they didn't. Some difficult concepts but made accessible by the authors.
One person found this helpful
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Mrs D Green
5.0 out of 5 stars As theology books go it's excellent. Brief easily comprehensible summary of complex issues without ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2015
Verified Purchase
As theology books go it's excellent. Brief easily comprehensible summary of complex issues without oversimplification and leaves you something to think about without boggling the brain too much. Impressed
2 people found this helpful
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