The Christian Ecclesia
A Course of Lectures on the Early History and Early Conceptions of the Ecclesia, and Four Sermons

This 1897 publication contains Fenton Hort's influential lectures on the development of the Christian Church.

Fenton John Anthony Hort (Author)

9781108007559, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 25 February 2010

324 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.8 cm, 0.41 kg

This is one of the best-known works of Fenton Hort (1828–1892), Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. Compiled in 1897, it is a posthumous record of a series of lectures delivered by Hort in 1888 and 1889, covering the origins and development of the early Church. Starting with a discussion on the meaning of 'ecclesia', Hort traces church history from the New Testament accounts of the Last Supper and the Resurrection to the problems Christianity faced in the second century. Hort conveys his meaning with absolute clarity, taking a scrupulous, almost scientific approach in his consideration of literary evidence. Four of his sermons are also included, and the book itself stands as a record of the last words spoken in public by Hort. The Christian Ecclesia provides a fascinating account of the beginnings of Christianity and is one of the most significant works by this prolific nineteenth-century theologian.

Part 1. Lectures: 1. The word Ecclesia
2. The apostles in relation to the Ecclesia
3. Early stages in the growth of the Ecclesia
4. The Ecclesia of Antioch
5. The exercise of Authority
6. St Paul at Ephesus
7. The 'Ecclesia' in the Epistles
8. The earlier Epistles of St Paul
9. The one Universal Ecclesia in the Epistles of the first Roman captivity
10. 'Gifts' and 'Grace'
11. Titus and Timothy in the pastoral Epistles
12. Officers of the Ecclesia in the pastoral Epistles
13. Brief notes on various Epistles, and recapitulation
Part 2. Four Sermons: 1. An ordination of priests and deacons
2. At a university commemoration of benefactors
3. In Emmanuel College Chapel
4. At the consecration of Bishop Westcott
Appendix: Decoration of Emmanuel College Chapel
Index.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]