Alfred Loisy Book order

February 28, 1857 – June 1, 1940

Alfred Firmin Loisy was a French priest and theologian, a founder of biblical modernism. He examined Scripture using critical methods, challenging traditional interpretations of creation. His theological positions led to conflict with church conservatives and ultimately his excommunication. Loisy's most famous observation concerned the divergence between Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the emergence of the Church, which he criticized for aping civil government, though he believed Jesus intended to form a community.

2018
The Origins of the New Testament
334 pages
12 hours of reading
In the context of early Christianity around 180 AD, the necessity for a biblical canon emerged due to Gnostic threats. Alfred Loisy, a knowledgeable Roman Catholic priest and leader of "Catholic Modernism," explores the compilation and evolution of the New Testament, arguing that its formation was influenced by the development of Christian propaganda. He critiques the portrayal of miracles as historical events and emphasizes that later additions to the texts were responses to contemporary needs. This scholarly work complements his earlier writings on the origins of Christianity.
2001
The Gospel and the Church
280 pages
10 hours of reading
The book engages in a critical dialogue with Adolf von Harnack's ideas, highlighting the significance of Catholic heritage while providing an outsider's perspective on Protestant history. It challenges Protestant interpretations of the relationship between Jesus and the Church, offering an alternative viewpoint that invites readers to reconsider established beliefs. Loisy's work serves as a reminder for Catholics of their traditions and encourages a deeper understanding of the complexities within Christian thought.

The Origins of the New Testament

The Gospel and the Church