Introducing Early Church Emphasis Month
In a recent, two-part essay, entitled To the Sources, I attempted to account for the resurgence of interest in early Christian thought and life that has transpired over the last 10-15 years. While interest in the early church has certainly been evident at other key moments throughout church history, the present engagement with the past can be instructive to those interested in a vibrant, robust doctrine of the church for the future....
A Change of Heart: Book Review
Many have observed a burgeoning interest in ancient Christianity in the last decade or two. Specifically, this interest has focused on the early church period. In addition to conferences, symposia, and the inclusion of Patristic studies emphases within institutional curricula, InterVarsity Press has published numerous ancient commentaries on Scripture and biblical doctrine. Yet apart from the conversion of one Methodist theologian,...
To the Sources: Retrieving the Christian Theological Tradition: Part 2
Today’s post is the second part of an essay that posted this past Monday. Webber is best known for his four-volume project known as the “Ancient-Future series.” This series includes an introductory volume, followed by titles on evangelism, spiritual formation, and worship.[1] The introductory volume subtitled “Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World,” best demonstrates Webber’s specific aim: The fundamental concern of this...
To the Sources: Retrieving the Christian Theological Tradition
(This essay is adapted from a presentation given by Jackson Watts at the 2014 National Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society) Arguably the dominant mark of the 15th and 16th centuries was the call of ad fontes (lit. “to the fountains”). This period witnessed a resurgence of interest in Greco-Roman culture, as well as classical Christian sources from the Patristic period (roughly the first five centuries A.D.). This return to...
Practicing Christian Doctrine: Book Review
Over the last several years, my studies and ministry have taken me through a fascinating exploration of the relationship between beliefs and practices. Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that evangelicals have not emphasized this subject as much as it probably deserves. Even in lamenting the unhealthy disconnect between thinking and living, it’s difficult to avoid the suspicion that part of the blame is due to the way that theology is...
Recent Comments