
The volume opens with a reflective preface that sets the tone for a meticulous journey through the origins of Christian doctrine. Drawing on both German and English scholarship, the author explains why making the work accessible in two languages is essential for modern theological study. Listeners are introduced to the central challenge of tracing the earliest doctrinal seeds, where even small misreadings can reshape the whole picture.
Throughout the first part, the historian balances rigorous source criticism with a clear sense of the ethical duty to present truth. He distinguishes original teachings from later interpretations, guiding the audience through the tangled debates of primitive Christianity and biblical theology. This careful, disciplined approach promises an engaging, thought‑provoking listen for anyone curious about how foundational beliefs were formed.
Language
en
Duration
~16 hours (967K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Dave Maddock, David King, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2006-10-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1851–1930
A pioneering German theologian and church historian, he helped shape modern study of early Christianity with clear, wide-ranging scholarship. His books brought big questions about faith, history, and doctrine to a broad readership.
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by Adolf von Harnack