Early Church

In The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1, Justo L. González, author of the highly praised three-volume History of Christian Thought, presents a narrative history of Christianity from the early church to the dawn of the Protestant reformation. From Jesus' faithful apostles to the early reformist John Wycliffe, González skillfully traces core theological issues and developments within the various traditions of the church, including major events outside of Europe, such as the Spanish and Portuguese conquest of the New World.

Newly revised and edited The Apostolic Fathers in Modern English Experience the earliest Christian writings, clearly translated for today. This edition presents the complete collection traditionally known as the Apostolic Fathers in fresh, readable modern English, paired with concise, thematic essays at the end of the book that frame the world, worship, and witness of the early church. If you’ve tried public-domain or Victorian renderings and bounced off the archaic phrasing, this volume is built to be faithful, direct, and readable, without dumbing anything down. What’s Included (...

While many histories of Christian worship exist, this project undertakes a task both more focused and more urgent. Rather than survey the whole history of the Christian church, it focuses on the formative period between the first and fifth centuries CE, when so many of the understandings and patterns of Christian worship came to be. And rather than include such developments as the monastic hours of prayer and the history of ordination, the authors deal primarily with those aspects of worship that recur on a weekly or regular basis: preaching, Eucharist, and baptism. 

Every generation has an uncanny tendency to view themselves as more enlightened than those that have gone before. The Church certainly has made mistakes all through history - and yet, no insights which we possess would be possible without the efforts, and even some of the mistakes, of our ancestors. The first volume of 2,000 Years of Christ's Power covers the period from the 1st Century AD to the start of the Middle Ages.

Dr. James Papandrea introduces you to all the major theologians, philosophers, and martyrs of the early Christian church and explains the theological principles that guided the Church from the New Testament era through the apologists, and, ultimately, to the development of the major doctrines. He uniquely situates the teachings of the early Church Fathers against the social and cultural context of the Roman Empire and its relationship to the Church.

This classic text gives a broad overview of the early Christian church, how it was formed, and how it dealt with the Roman empire, which was at first hostile to Christianity, and then under Constantine the Great how it came to embrace the new faith. The author, George Hodges, also examines the many heresies that beset the church from within, and the various figures that would defend the correct definition of the faith.

History is written by the victors. But the truth survived in the shadows. The Apostles are dead. The Roman Empire is hunting believers through the streets. But the greatest threat to the early church is not the sword of the Emperor—it is the men in fine linen standing behind the pulpits. In The Pre-Nicene Church Fathers, the veil is pulled back on the first three centuries of Christian history. As the decentralized, blue-collar house churches fight to survive in the freezing catacombs and hidden cellars of the ancient world, an elite class of wealthy, educated philosophers begins a ...

The Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles - A Modern Translation of One of Christianity's Earliest Church Manuals Discover how the first Christians actually lived, worshipped, and organized their communities. The Didache, also known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, is one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament, dating from 50-120 AD. Written when some apostles may still have been alive, this document from the Apostolic Fathers provides a direct window into daily Christian life during the apostolic era. But most editions present this ancient text with ...

This book is both a history of Ireland during Brigid’s lifetime (from the mid fifth century to the early sixth century AD) as well as a biography of the saint herself. It begins by examining the Celtic people, their way of life and their pagan beliefs. This includes a detailed look at the Celts’ religious leaders, the Druids. We’ll then deal with the conversion of Ireland to Christianity and the unique nature of the early Irish Church. The remainder of the book will be an in depth examination of Saint Brigid’s life, the founding of her monastery at Kildare, and the lasting impact ...

In A Systematic Theology of the Early Church, Dustin R. Smith offers a groundbreaking exploration of the foundational beliefs that defined first-century Christianity, rooted solely in the Old and New Testaments. Unlike traditional systematic theologies that blend scripture with post-biblical ecumenical creeds and denominational confessions, this work focuses exclusively on the authentic doctrines of the Early Church. With precision and clarity, Smith examines eight core theological pillars—theology, anthropology, hamartiology, christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and ...

The Early Church – From Jerusalem to the Nations is a captivating exploration of the remarkable journey of the first Christians as they spread the gospel from a small gathering in Jerusalem to the far reaches of the Roman Empire. Rooted in the Book of Acts, this book delves into the key events, powerful transformations, and bold witness of the apostles and early believers, who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, carried the message of salvation across cultural and geographic boundaries. Through this insightful and compelling narrative, you’ll discover: - How the Holy Spirit guided and ...

What was the early Church like? Contrary to popular belief, Rod Bennett shows there is a reliable way to know. Four ancient Christian writers - four witnesses to early Christianity - left us an extensive body of documentation on this vital subject, and this book brings their fascinating testimony to life for modern believers. With all the power and drama of a gripping novel, this book is a journey of discovery of ancient and beautiful truths through the lives of four great saints of the early Church Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus of Lyons.

Ever wonder what's actually in those "lost books of the Bible" everyone talks about? This comprehensive 750+ page guide gives you everything you want to know about over 100 forbidden Christian texts, without having to read the originals. From the shocking childhood stories of Jesus to secret gospels banned by the early church, discover what these mysterious writings actually contain and why they were excluded from Scripture. What You'll Discover: Expanded Genesis Stories - The Books of Enoch, Jubilees, and the cosmic drama behind creation Jesus's Hidden Childhood - Infancy Gospels revealing...

Introduce your middle and high school students to the bold believers who helped shape the foundation of the Christian faith. Early Church Fathers, part of the inspiring Legends of Faith series by homeschool author Marilyn Boyer, brings Christian history to life through captivating stories of real men who stood firm for Christ in the face of persecution, heresy, and cultural opposition.

A faithful modern English reader edition of 1 Clement and 2 Clement, two of the earliest surviving Christian writings outside the New Testament. This volume is designed for smooth, uninterrupted reading. Verse numbers, editorial notes, and study apparatus have been removed from the body of the text so that readers can encounter these ancient works with clarity and flow. 1 Clement is a pastoral letter from the church in Rome to the church in Corinth, addressing division, jealousy, repentance, humility, church order, and the urgent need for peace among the people of God. It offers one of the ...

Jesus once said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Several questions should spring into our minds: How did Jesus build His Church and how is He doing so currently? Who did Jesus use to build His Church and who is He using today? When have major events occurred that have helped build the Church? What have been some of the mistakes (or even downright evils) along the way? The amazing thing about church history is that Christians are able to draw from the riches of the past to better understand the present and future. This brief ebook is a survey of several great Christians from ...

They called him a saint. His enemies called him dangerous. But history remembers him as the man who dared to define the nature of Christ when the church stood on the edge of fracture. Cyril of Alexandria: A Beginner’s Guide is not just a book—it’s your front-row seat to one of the fiercest theological battlegrounds in Christian history. If you’ve ever wondered how the early church survived heresy, imperial pressure, and internal war, you’ll find the answer in the life of one bishop who refused to back down. Cyril wasn’t interested in theories. He wanted truth nailed down, ...

Based on Pope Benedict XVI's weekly teaching on the relationship between Christ and the Church, this book tells the drama of Jesus' first disciples—his Apostles and their associates—and how they spread Jesus' message throughout the ancient world. Far from distorting the truth about Jesus of Nazareth, insists Pope Benedict, the early disciples remained faithful to it, even at the cost of their lives.

EXPERIENCE THE EARLY CHURCH. Forced from her home after the stoning of Stephen and persecution of believers in Jerusalem, Libi and her family now live in the city of Antioch. Days pass quickly in a community where the oppressed are in great need, and Libi finds every opportunity to serve alongside other believers despite growing obstacles and a lack of resources. All of this leaves little time to think about what she has lost, or the growing desire in her heart for what she does not have. Cassius lives his life in the shadows after witnessing the impossible and deserting the Roman Army as a...

Discover the Bible the World Forgot — Until Now What if the Bible you've been reading your whole life is missing books? Not because they don't exist — but because they were quietly set aside by Western councils while one ancient African church faithfully preserved them for over 1,600 years. The Ethiopian Bible Study Guide is your complete, authoritative journey into the world's oldest and most complete biblical canon — the 81-book scripture of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Written for curious Christians, serious Bible students, and spiritual seekers hungry for deeper truth, ...