McGrath has put together a number of pretty good reference works in theology. What I like about the ones I have--which is most of them--is that they are short and accessible, making them great references for laymen (this is, of course, also their greatest weakness).
The Christian Theology Reader
Edited by: ALISTER E. McGRATH (University of Oxford )
Collecting more than 360 readings from 2,000 years of Christian history, the third edition of the bestselling Christian Theology Reader is the most comprehensive book of its kind. With numerous new readings, including an increased representation of Catholicism, orthodoxy, and women writers, this user-friendly volume spans the entire Christian tradition, including important sources from patristic, medieval, reformation, and modern periods.
Blackwell Link (Amazon doesn't list it yet)
Pedantic comment I know, but the link takes you to Blackwell, not OUP. Although they are in Oxford, they've just been bought out by an American publishing house.
Thanks Ben, I've got OUP on the brain (for reasons I hope to share soon).
I'll fix it, but leave your comment so you get credit for your pedantry! ;-)~
I used the second edition for a Christian Foundations class I taught. My intent was to help my students in two ways. One, just by visually seeing that in this one volume there is only a mere smidgen of a vast literature that predates this century. Second, for them to read it and see the ideas as well. The excerpts are pretty limited, but McGrath attempts to have some reflective questions after each entry to aid in our thoughts.