Arius: Heresy and tradition. by Williams, Rowan - 1987

London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1987. 8vo (22.2 cm, 8.75"). xi, [1], 348 pp.

Arianism has been called the 'archetypal Christian heresy' — a denial of the divine status of Christ. In this comprehensive and original study, Rowan Williams argues that Arius himself was a dedicated theological conservative whose concern was to defend the free and personal character of the Christian God. His 'heresy' grew out of the attempt to unite traditional biblical language with radical philosophical ideas and techniques, and it is, from the start, involved with issues of authority in the church . . . The book contains extensive discussion of the historical, theological and philosophical background and includes new translations, with commentary, of a number of basic texts. It will be required reading for students of church history and doctrine and for anyone wishing to know more about one of the major figures in early Church. Publisher's brown cloth with gilt lettering to spine. In original pictorial dust jacket; minor edgewear, spine a bit faded. Interior lightly age-toned.