The Formation of Christian Doctrine is an advanced academic study of how Christian doctrine develops, distinguishing in particular between scholarly term "inventio" and less revelatory process of "invention."

Anyone who is interested in constructive theology needs a knowledge of the history of Christian theology. In succession to the classic History of Christian Doctrine by G. P. Fisher, Professor Cunliffe-Jones has brought together a team of experts in the various periods to provide a new and comprehensive survey of the field.All the great themes, the Fathers, the Heretics of the long story here find their due place, from sub-apostolic Christianity to Vatican II. Also featured are the contribution of Orthodox theology to the whole development, the complex problems of the pre-Reformation period and the troubled modern period with its new perspectives of Church and society and its deep underlying malaise. Includes contributions from G. W. H. Lampe, Kallistos Ware, David Knowles, E. Gordon Rupp, Benjamin Drewery, Basil Hall, T. H. L. Parker, H. F. Woodhouse, R. Buick Knox and John H. S. Kent.

This book has earned wide acceptance as an outstanding single volume history of doctrine. It is ideally suited for classroom and seminar use as well as research and independent study. With remarkable conciseness and clarity Lohse, shows how doctrinal development has occurred in the various periods of the Church's history from the first century to the present. He explores and discusses, one by one, the dogmas and doctrines that constitute the milestones in the story of the Church's effort to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to each age. This Revised American Edition includes a new preface by the author, an account of the significance of the Second Vatican Council and alterations in the "For Further Reading" section to bring it up to date.

"This intellectual history, a story of people and their ideas, is a delight to read. I predict it will be widely used not only in colleges and seminaries but also in lay institutes and study groups"........John D. Godsey in The Christian Century

These fourteen specially commissioned essays provide an exciting new introduction to the content of Christian theology.