Category Archives: Early Christianity

Consensus: Why We Read the Early Church Fathers

Posted on 12/26/2019 by

Today I answered the charge that the early church fathers are unreliable because Irenaeus, one of the most trustworthy early fathers, said Jesus lived to be over 40 and ministered for at least a decade. I was writing to someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Christianity | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How I Became a Heretic (to the Evangelicals)

Posted on 12/14/2019 by

I was raised Catholic, gave up on Catholicism, explored eastern mysticism as a teenager, and wound up agnostic at age 20. The prayers and daily witness of my first Air Force supervisor and some reading of the Gospels led to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Early Christianity, Evangelicals, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Three of My Favorite Early Church Father Quotes

Posted on 11/22/2019 by

There are three passages in the early church fathers that stand out in my memory. I wanted to share them with you. “Among us you will find uneducated persons, craftsmen, and old women, who, if they are unable in words … Continue reading →

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Faith, Works, and the Early Church Fathers

Posted on 10/12/2019 by

A friend told me a couple times recently that the early church fathers disagreed among themselves a lot. I hope to get a chance to finish that conversation with him because that statement is just not true. They were far … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Christianity, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Protestants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Early Church Fathers, the Law of Moses, and the Road to Emmaus

Posted on 07/31/2019 by

This is from an email I sent: The reason I like the early church fathers is because they provide insight into some important interpretations of Scripture, especially in regard to the Old Testament. One teaching that is completely lost to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Early Christianity, History, Modern Doctrines, Teachings that must not be lost | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pseudo-History in My Daughter’s College Class

Posted on 06/13/2019 by

I was horrified and appalled when my daughter told me today about the book she is reading in her college history class. The history is loaded with both falsehoods and sloppy scholarship. It is unacceptable that such a book would … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian History News in Focus, Early Christianity, History, Holiness | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Favorite Early Christian Passage: Commandment 12 of the Shepherd of Hermas

Posted on 03/21/2019 by

The Ante-Nicene Fathers Series refers to this section of The Shepherd of Hermas as “Commandment XII.” The Lightfoot translation that I am quoting from and linking to calls it Mandate 12. Search “Mandate 12” (or phrases in the quote) at … Continue reading →

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Early Christianity in a Nutshell

Posted on 08/07/2016 by

I’ve been looking for a way to describe the Christianity I see in the early church fathers for many years. In the midst of a discussion with a friend, this outline came to me. 1. The Gospel: They preached total … Continue reading →

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Why I Quote the Early Christians

Posted on 06/20/2016 by

The early churches moved forward in unity and holiness. Until we can boast the same things, I am going to assume that our novelties are errors, not improvements. Continue reading →

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Visions of the Kingdom

Posted on 02/24/2016 by

What power, wisdom, and joy we miss because we have forgotten the promises the apostles’ churches knew and took for granted! A Facebook friend sent me a list of verses he thought described the millennium, the 1000-year reign of Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Christianity, Evangelicals, Modern Doctrines, Protestants, Teachings that must not be lost | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment