The Global Church—The First Eight Centuries: From Pentecost through the Rise of Islam
Digital Logos Edition
Save 25% during the Memorial Day Sale!$29.99
Overview
Discover the Diversity and Unity of the Early Church.
The Christian church of the early centuries spread throughout much of Asia, Africa, and Europe, spoke many languages, was situated within diverse cultural settings, and had varied worship practices; yet it maintained a vital unity on core teachings. In The Global Church—The First Eight Centuries: From Pentecost through the Rise of Islam, author Donald Fairbairn helps readers understand both the diversity and unity of the church in this pivotal era by:
- Re-centering the story of the church in its early centuries, paying greater attention to Africa, Turkey, and Syria, where most of the church’s intellectual energy was nurtured
- Highlighting Christian communities outside the Roman Empire, as far afield as Persia and India, alongside those within it
- Identifying key events by their global, not merely Western, significance and taking into account early Christian interactions with other religions, particularly Islam
The Global Church—The First Eight Centuries is an ideal introduction to the patristic era that broadens the narrative often recounted and places it more firmly in its various cultural contexts. Students of the early church, formal and informal alike, will appreciate the fresh approach and depth of insight it provides.
- Helps readers understand both the diversity and unity of the church
- Focuses on events from Africa, Turkey, and Syria
- Identifies key events by their global significance
Top Highlights
“In 486 Catholicos Acacius called a synod that addressed both the issue of celibacy and the christological matters.5 Barsauma declined to attend, on the grounds that he had military duties to see to. The delegates approved the right of all Christians (including bishops) to marry, citing 1 Timothy 3:1–2 as justification. This was a much more significant decree than it might appear to Protestants, because it directly contradicted the practice in the Roman world. The Latin churches required celibacy of bishops, priests, and monastics, while the Greek churches allowed priests to marry but forbade marriage to bishops and monastics.” (Page 246)
“second pattern was an affirmation that began with the three persons rather than with the events of Christ’s life.” (Page 92)
“First was an affirmation that revolved around Christ and the events of his life, death, and resurrection” (Page 92)
“The focus of creeds in the early church was not initially on what we believe but on whom we profess” (Page 91)
“Likewise, Paul’s associate Timothy came to be considered the first bishop of Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3), followed by Onesimus and seven of Onesimus’s relatives.” (Page 90)
Donald Fairbairn (PhD, University of Cambridge) is the Robert E. Cooley Professor of Early Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has also taught at Denver Seminary, Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Leuven, Belgium, and numerous other institutions. His books include Life in the Trinity, Grace and Christology in the Early Church, and Eastern Orthodoxy through Western Eyes.
Save 25% during the Memorial Day Sale!