Tag Archives: early christianity

Why the Earliest Churches Never Debated Faith vs. Works

Posted on 07/29/2026 by Paul Pavao

Today to a person asked, “If faithfulness is required to inherit the kingdom [Col. 1:22-23; Gal. 5:19-21; 2 Pet. 1:10-11], doesn’t that violate saved by grace?” I wrote (you get the edited version): I’ve wrestled with these passages since 1986. … Continue reading →

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The Differences Between Early Christianity and Modern Christianity

Posted on 01/22/2020 by Paul Pavao

When I first read the early church fathers, I had one major question. I wanted to know what the churches believed about the Bible back when they all agreed with one another. This was critically important to me. I had … Continue reading →

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Rebuilding the Foundations

Posted on 04/25/2018 by Paul Pavao

I dare to tear down other foundations because what I am building is both biblical and historical. As said, it once was the foundational teaching of all Christian churches. Continue reading →

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Early Christianity in a Nutshell

Posted on 08/07/2016 by Paul Pavao

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 Paul Pavao

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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Roman Catholicism and II

Posted on 09/30/2015 by Paul Pavao

My last post was titled Roman Catholicism and I, so I am naming this sequel “Roman Catholicism and II.” Get it? Funny? No? Okay, well, I couldn’t resist. I’ve never been very good at titles. Anyway, an Orthodox friend of … Continue reading →

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Athanasian Creed: A Review

Posted on 10/13/2014 by Paul Pavao

Who am I to “review” the Athanasian Creed? I do not review it on my own authority. I review it on the authority of the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, and of the Christians, churches, and councils that preceded the … Continue reading →

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

Jesus: God of the Old Testament?

Posted on 10/09/2014 by Paul Pavao

Is Jesus Yahweh, God of the nation of Israel? I cannot definitively say that it is the view of the early churches that it was the Son of God, the divine Logos [Word], that interacted with Israel as their God, … Continue reading →

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God in the Plural?

Posted on 10/08/2014 by Paul Pavao

Is God plural? You will not understand the answer to that question if you don’t read yesterday’s post, “The Early Christian Definition of the Trinity.” If you don’t want to read two of my posts today, yesterday’s is more important … Continue reading →

Posted in Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Americans Want Reliable History

Posted on 07/03/2014 by Paul Pavao

A Digital Journas article says that a “Poll Shows American Moviegoers Demand Historically Accurate Portrayal in Biblically-Themed Films.” Honestly, I doubt that, but that’s not the point of citing the article. The article is about a new movie being released … Continue reading →

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