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Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction
Augustine. Tertullian. Origen. For too many Christians such names are abstract, one-dimensional legends, innocuous voices from antiquity no longer relevant to modern needs and concerns. However, a closer look at these church fathers reveals writers whose reflections on the apostolic teachings edify all generations of believers. Bryan Liftin helps readers understand the fat...more
Paperback, 301 pages
Published
October 1st 2007
by Brazos Press
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This was a helpful introduction to some of the major church fathers. Not only did Liftin introduce you to the church fathers but he introduced you to significant events that went on in their life and times. It is a helpful primer on the early church. This was obviously an introduction and so was too brief at times, particularly in discussing Augustine and Pelagius. Liftin had some excellent discussion of early Trinitarianism and Christology. Overall Liftins writing is helpful particularly for a...more
I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall it was just an "okay" read. I appreciated his comments on Monasticism and Asceticism but unfortunately he left out a lot of important details--I suppose you can only say so much in an introductory book, but it appeared to me that he willingly left out details in order to cater to his Protestant / Evangelical audience.
While he made mention of Irenaeus' parallel between Adam and Jesus, he neglected to mention his parallel between Eve and Mary. Liftin...more
While he made mention of Irenaeus' parallel between Adam and Jesus, he neglected to mention his parallel between Eve and Mary. Liftin...more
In a period of history that remains too distant an unknown, it is often hard to find an access point to the study of it.
Getting to Know the Church Fathers does just this. It allows people who are unfamiliar with the church fathers to get a grip on who is who and what their contributions are.
Bryan Litfin gives a basic introduction to ten Church Fathers by providing an overview of their lives, their contribution and giving a small excerpt from their writings.
Writing from an Evangelical point of v...more
Getting to Know the Church Fathers does just this. It allows people who are unfamiliar with the church fathers to get a grip on who is who and what their contributions are.
Bryan Litfin gives a basic introduction to ten Church Fathers by providing an overview of their lives, their contribution and giving a small excerpt from their writings.
Writing from an Evangelical point of v...more
Room for improvement in the Kindle version: forced or full justify stretches out shorter lines, hyphens wreak havoc by not rejoining when the line was restructured for Kindling, there was one smudged letter (which I didn't know was possible with e-ink) and around location 1439, two sentences are transposed around a wandering hyphen, producing the arresting statement: "Then the martyrs willingly mounted a turb you, but confirm you." Hmm.
The content itself, however, is a very helpful high school/a...more
The content itself, however, is a very helpful high school/a...more
Excellent read. Bryan Litfin writes in a style that is informative, and easy to digest. He examines some of the most influential church fathers and provides an honest biography. What I found particularly helpful was that he examines the culture of the day before discussing the church father's life. This gives the reader a picture of the attitudes, problems, and cultural practices that influenced the life of our early church leaders.
A great introduction to 10 important Christians of the early church! Recommended to all bible students and church members
Helpful overview, but way too optimistic at points. Wished he was more balanced in presenting the good and bad of the fathers.
Helpful, but too soft on Origen and Montanism.
If you've ever had Dr. Litfin for a class you'd probably enjoy this book, it has his wit and charm. He really has a profound respect for the early church fathers (people I knew almost nothing about) so through this book he was able to acquaint his students (i.e. *me*) with these men (and some women)It's not overly technical, and if you're a fan of church history you'd probably love it as a nice easy read.
Dr. Bryan Litfin did a great job on this book. He really helped bring the church fathers alive and to show that all part of the little "c" catholic church. I had to read this for Christianity & Western Culture 1 but I would have read it even if I didn't have to read it for class.
This was a great book to introduce and explain church history, Church fathers, and some theology.
May 12, 2013
Mark Centers
marked it as to-read
May 11, 2013
Greg Dill
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Bryan earned a degree in print journalism from the University of Tennessee. He then went on to study for a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. From there he went to the University of Virginia, taking a PhD in the field of ancient church history. In 2002, Bryan took a position on the faculty at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago, where he is a professor in...more
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Mar 26, 2009 04:02am