Pastors, Bible teachers, lay learners, and students of systematic theology desire but often lack a historical perspective on the formation of vital Christian doctrines. This is due in part to the fact that historical theology texts tend to be structured around history, not theology. Wading through the stories and work of various key players, movements, and controversies of church history is illuminating, but not terribly practical for those wishing to trace the development of the doctrine of the Trinity or Christian beliefs about sin.

This companion to Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology presents the history of various doctrines in a topical-chronological arrangement. The presentation of key doctrines follows the same structure Grudem uses, but this text traces the development of these ideas in the early church, through the Middle Ages, Reformation, and post-Reformation era, and into the modern period.

This approach makes Historical Theology a superb reference for those familiar with Grudem's work, which thousands use in evangelical churches or evangelical college theology classes, or those interested in understanding the development of Christian theology.