How Church History Will Help You Defend The Faith

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“In the early centuries, the church saw Christianity threatened by a number of theological heresies,” writes Michael A. G. Haykin for Southern Equip.

  • While history never repeats itself exactly, the theological heresies of the past often resurface in many different ways. “Knowledge of how Christians in the past defended the faith against Gnosticism would provide helpful ways of responding to postmodern spirituality today.”

  • History gives context: John of Damascus sheds light on how the early church fathers approached false teaching against orthodox Christianity. “‘John here accurately relates the teaching of Islam that Christ was not crucified, but that “God raised him up to himself,’ which is actually an assertion inherited from Gnosticism!”

  • Another topic of conversation was the Muslim critique of trinitarianism, which John of Damascus refuted. Christians are Trinitarian because the New Testament is Trinitarian.

  • We have much to learn from the controversies and theological heresies that the Church Fathers encountered. “John of Damascus is a model for how rich theology fuels Christian evangelism.”

  • “O Christ, O wisdom and power and Word of God, and God almighty! What should we resourceless people give You in return for all things? For all things are Yours, and You ask nothing of us but that we are saved,” writes Haykin as he closes his thoughts.

Go Deeper: Read the full article on Southern Equip.

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