Book excerpt: The history of Christian theology can be a daunting, even forbidding field of study. This people-friendly volume, a full-scale reader in the history of Christian thought, offers a non-threatening, occasionally humorous yet quite thorough entry into Christianity's central texts from the Apostolic fathers to Sallic McFague and James Cone. It is also elso enlivened by dozens of cartoons by Rich Diesslin. Highly accessible introductions to twelve major historical periods precede brief introductions to and texts from over fifty key thinkers and conciliar statements. The texts highlight perennial themes and questions in the Christian tradition, especially the meaning and importance of Jesus, challenges to the institutional church, tensions of faith and reason, spirituality, and the quest for social justice. "A textual tour of the entire theological tradition that stops at all the must-see literary locales, as well as lesser known, but fascinating, destinations. The editor complements each text with an insightful introduction and probing study questions. This collection is an invaluable resource for any introductory course on the history of Christian thought and doctrine." John E. Thiel Professor of Religious Studies, Fairfield University "As a teacher of a reqired survey course---"The Christian Tradition'---I long have sought a primary-sources anthology of reasonable length (and cost) that provides excerpts from key figures and sets them in dialog with one another to model exactly the kind of cross-era conversation that must continue today. The revised edition of William Anderson's A Journey through Christian Theology looks to fit the bill nicely." George C. Heider Professor of Theology, Valparaiso University "Users of this anthology need not fear about losing their way on the `Journey': Anderson is a reliable guide, providing well-chosen texts, accurate introductions, penetrating study questions, and a helpful glossary."Denis R. Janz Provost Distinguished Professor of the History of Christianity, Loyolu University New Orleans