Book excerpt: A new edition of this well-respected work. "Doctrine and Practice in the Early Church" is clearly written and carefully organized with cross-references throughout to its two companion volumes, "A New Eusebius and Creeds" and "Councils and Controversies" (revised editions SPCK 1987 and 1989). It is well established as the standard introduction to the subject for student and general reader alike. The second edition makes the text easier to understand in the light of widespread use; provides a fuller and updated bibliography; and brings thinking up to date on a number of topics including house churches, Athanasius, Gnostics, Hippolytus, Constantine, the Creed of Constantinople, and the Monophysites.