Wisdom from the Ancients

30 Forgotten Lessons from the Early Church

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• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
• Year: 2022
• eBook ISBN:
  9780736984638
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Theology & Religion

Old ideas. New insights. Timeless relevance for the church. Studying the views and lifestyles of your forerunners in the faith can provide incredible guidance for how you live out your spiritual convictions today. In Wisdom from the Ancients, author and scholar Bryan Litfin paints a vivid portrait of the first five centuries of the Christian church, packed with fascinating history and applicable insights for modern believers. As you encounter the wisdom of early Christians, you'll be challenged to revisit the building blocks of your faith in light of ancient beliefs and spiritual practices. This book will help you reframe common evangelical ideas, including questions Christians face today, such as when it makes sense to read the Bible literally and when God's truth shines through symbolismhow the beliefs and practices of early believers should inform your worshipwhether the church should cooperate with political power or resist itWisdom from the Ancients reveals life-changing lessons from the early church that you can take to heart today. When you set aside your modern perspectives and approach ancient truths with an open mind, the beliefs of the early Christians will illuminate your faith in a brand-new way.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1. The Cross of Christ Isn’t Enough for Salvation
• 2. Weakness Is the Best Witness
• 3. Often, Our Biggest Threats Look a Lot like Us
• 4. It’s Okay to Be Catholic
• 5. The Spirits of the Dead Should Live in Your Church
• 6. There’s No Way Around It: Christianity Is for Misfits
• 7. Your Pastor Deserves to Be Put on a Pedestal
• 8. Christianity Created History’s First Feminists
• 9. Sexual Abstinence Is a Good Idea for Christians—Yes, Including You
• 10. Prayer Isn’t a Moment; It’s a Way of Life
• 11. Invest in Your Library; It’s a Christian Thing
• 12. Every Good Story Has Three Acts
• 13. The Bible Can’t Be Taken Literally
• 14. What You Say Out Loud Is What You Believe
• 15. Christian Teachers Construct the Christian World
• 16. Baptism Moves You into a Whole New World
• 17. There’s a Lot More Flavor to the Lord’s Supper Than You Might Think
• 18. Sin Is a Sickness, But Grace Is Just What the Doctor Ordered
• 19. Mystical Union with God Wasn’t Invented by “Eastern Religions,” but by Jesus
• 20. You Aren’t Truly Sorry Until Your Body Is Sorry
• 21. Empires Are Useful Temptations
• 22. God Refuses to Be a Helicopter Parent
• 23. Without the Trinity, Everyone Stops Short of Heaven
• 24. A Bridge Only Works When It Has Two Ends
• 25. Every Church Must Have an Elevator
• 26. Jesus’ Head Needs a Lot More Oil
• 27. Every Christian Is a Witness, but Not Every Christian Is a Missionary
• 28. It’s Better to Shoot Than to Roll
• 29. The Land of Israel Is Calling to Your Feet
• 30. Your Passport Has a Huge Error
• Conclusion
• About the Author
• About the Publisher