History of Dogma

The History of Dogma by Adolph Harnack is a passionate summation of the author’s life work and beliefs in liberal Christian theology, wherein the figure of Christ – and thus his role as God’s representative on Earth – is discussed both in religious and historical terms.

For the author, the innate truths and facts behind the life and achievements of the Lord Jesus Christ had become obscured over many centuries by the establishment of various ceremonies and traditions. The application of dogmatic ideas, many of which strayed from the essential words and lessons of Christ himself, had changed Christianity immensely. The origins of this change, and how it molded many events in history, fascinated the author.

For Harnack, the turning point in Christian history was the Reformation. With the Bible unleashed en masse via the printing press, and swiftly translated into German, English, Spanish and other popular languages, suddenly the words and the actions of Christ were available. As literacy rates rose over the forthcoming centuries, readers began to distinguish between the dogma of organized religion and the basic facts of Christ’s gospel to mankind.