African Church Fathers - Ancient and Modern

African Church Fathers - Ancient and Modern

Author: Hans S. A. Engdahl

Publisher: African Sun Media

Published: 2021-01-26

Total Pages: 504

ISBN-13: 1928480888

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This critical and close reading of two African theologians, Origen (185 – 254) and Mbiti (1931 – 2019), focuses on the following areas: philosophy (African philosophy and religion and Platonic cosmology), ecclesiology and eschatology; a parallel presentation of these three themes leads to a fourth theme, that of the resurrection, where it is argued that there exists a consensus and a convergence between the two. This reading also highlights two convictions that partly have caused strong criticism: Mbiti has suggested that African philosophy and religion have a conception of time of their own, Origen that all and everything is gradually moving towards an apokatastasis, at which point all will be saved. Yet, the contention is that even more important to both Mbiti and Origen is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In order to establish the impact of the resurrection on their lives as Christians and as theologians, a contrast reading has been undertaken, i.e. texts are identified which underline the need to forge a link between the resurrection and the earthly ministry of Jesus. These texts also underwrite the conviction of Mbiti as well as Origen of the resurrection as something which must be lived in church and society, corporately as well as in personal devotion. The fact of resurrection creates a new mode of life.


How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind

How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind

Author: Thomas C. Oden

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2010-07-23

Total Pages: 205

ISBN-13: 0830837051

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Thomas C. Oden surveys the decisive role of African Christians and theologians in shaping the doctrines and practices of the church of the first five centuries, and makes an impassioned plea for the rediscovery of that heritage. Christians throughout the world will benefit from this reclaiming of an important heritage.


Africa Study Bible, NLT

Africa Study Bible, NLT

Author:

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Published: 2017-05-09

Total Pages: 2162

ISBN-13: 1496424719

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The Africa Study Bible brings together 350 contributors from over 50 countries, providing a unique African perspective. It's an all-in-one course in biblical content, theology, history, and culture, with special attention to the African context. Each feature was planned by African leaders to help readers grow strong in Jesus Christ by providing understanding and instruction on how to live a good and righteous life--Publisher.


Modern Church History

Modern Church History

Author: Tim Grass

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2008-03-28

Total Pages: 432

ISBN-13: 0334040620

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This is the SCM Core Text: "Modern Church History" provides an introduction to global Christianity from 1700 to the mid 20th C. The book aims to help students understand the processes, movements and individuals who have contributed to making the contemporary Christian landscape the shape it is in the 21st century. Theologically it takes a wide and inclusive approach to provide a balanced survey of Christianity in all its forms - Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox. Geographically it focuses on the Christian church in the UK, continental Europe and North America, and examines in each location the social movements, campaigns and campaigners, scientific and political challenges that have shaped the Christian Church throughout the period.Beginning with the reaction to Lutherism, it charts the rise of Pietism in Europe throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the influence of John Wesley and the Methodists, in the UK and the 'Great Awakening' in North America. The early chapters summarize the developments within the Christian Church in the UK, with detailed coverage of the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish situations, throughout the 19th Century. This is followed by a summary of the various schools of thought to have developed through the 20th C, including the church's reaction to the 2 world wars in Europe, fundamentalism in the USA. The book also provides specific coverage of the religious situation in North America throughout the modern period covering the development of separate black churches, the 'New Evangelicalism'. It is suitable for level two as well as introductory courses in modern church history or courses concerned with religion, culture and society in the 18th - 20th centuries


Rediscovering the Church Fathers

Rediscovering the Church Fathers

Author: Michael A. G. Haykin

Publisher: Crossway

Published: 2011-03-02

Total Pages: 178

ISBN-13: 1433523574

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While the church today looks quite different than it did two thousand years ago, Christians share the same faith with the church fathers. Although separated by time and culture, we have much to learn from their lives and teaching. This book is an organized and convenient introduction to how to read the church fathers from AD 100 to 500. Michael Haykin surveys the lives and teachings of seven of the Fathers, looking at their role in such issues as baptism, martyrdom, and the relationship between church and state. Ignatius, Cyprian, Basil of Caesarea, and Ambrose and others were foundational in the growth and purity of early Christianity, and their impact continues to shape the church today. Evangelical readers interested in the historical roots of Christianity will find this to be a helpful introductory volume.


Desert Fathers and Mothers

Desert Fathers and Mothers

Author: Christine Valters Paintner

Publisher: SkyLight Paths Publishing

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 1594733732

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Timeless and contemplative sayings from the earliest Christian sages of desert spirituality can be a companion on your own spiritual journey. The desert fathers and mothers were ordinary Christians living in solitude in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Arabia who chose to renounce the world in order to deliberately and individually follow God's call. They embraced lives of celibacy, labor, fasting, prayer and poverty, believing that denouncing material goods and practicing stoic self-discipline would lead to unity with the Divine. Their spiritual practice formed the basis of Western monasticism and greatly influenced both Western and Eastern Christianity. Their writings, first recorded in the fourth century, consist of spiritual advice, parables and anecdotes emphasizing the primacy of love and the purity of heart. Focusing on key themes of charity, fortitude, lust, patience, prayer and self-control, the Sayings influenced the rule of St. Benedict and have inspired centuries of opera, poetry and art. This probing and personal SkyLight Illuminations edition opens up their wisdom for readers with no previous knowledge of Western monasticism and early Christianity. It provides insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that describes historical background, explains the practice of asceticism and illustrates how you can use their wisdom to energize your spiritual quest.


Getting to Know the Church Fathers

Getting to Know the Church Fathers

Author: Bryan M. Litfin

Publisher: Baker Academic

Published: 2016-07-19

Total Pages: 410

ISBN-13: 1493404784

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A Trusted Introduction to the Church Fathers This concise introduction to the church fathers connects evangelical students and readers to twelve key figures from the early church. Bryan Litfin engages readers with actual people, not just abstract doctrines or impersonal events, to help them understand the fathers as spiritual ancestors in the faith. The first edition has been well received and widely used. This updated and revised edition adds chapters on Ephrem of Syria and Patrick of Ireland. The book requires no previous knowledge of the patristic period and includes original, easy-to-read translations that give a brief taste of each writer's thought.


The African Memory of Mark

The African Memory of Mark

Author: Thomas C. Oden

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2011-07-27

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 0830868887

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We often regard the author of the Gospel of Mark as an obscure figure about whom we know little. Many would be surprised to learn how much fuller a picture of Mark exists within widespread African tradition, tradition that holds that Mark himself was from North Africa, that he founded the church in Alexandria, that he was an eyewitness to the Last Supper and Pentecost, that he was related not only to Barnabas but to Peter as well and accompanied him on many of his travels. In this provocative reassessment of early church tradition, Thomas C. Oden begins with the palette of New Testament evidence and adds to it the range of colors from traditional African sources, including synaxaries (compilations of short biographies of saints to be read on feast days), archaeological sites, non-Western historical documents and ancient churches. The result is a fresh and illuminating portrait of Mark, one that is deeply rooted in African memory and seldom viewed appreciatively in the West.


The Bible is Black History

The Bible is Black History

Author: Theron D Williams

Publisher: Bible Is Black History Institute, LLC

Published: 2022-08-03

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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We live in an age when younger African-American Christians are asking tough questions that previous generations would dare not ask. This generation doesn't hesitate to question the validity of the Scriptures, the efficacy of the church, and even the historicity of Jesus. Young people are becoming increasingly curious about what role, if any, did people of African descent play in biblical history? Or, if the Bible is devoid of Black presence, and is merely a book by Europeans, about Europeans and for Europeans to the exclusion of other races and ethnicities? Dr. Theron D. Williams makes a significant contribution to this conversation by answering the difficult questions this generation fearlessly poses. Dr. Williams uses facts from the Bible, well-respected historians, scientists, and DNA evidence to prove that Black people comprised the biblical Israelite community. He also shares historical images from the ancient catacombs that vividly depict the true likeness of the biblical Israelites. This book does not change the biblical text, but it will change how you understand it.This Second Edition provides updated information and further elucidation of key concepts. Also, at the encouragement of readership, this edition expands some of the ideas and addresses concerns my readership felt pertinent to this topic.


Tertullian

Tertullian

Author: Geoffrey D. Dunn

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 9780415282307

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Tertullian (c. AD 160 - 225) was one of the first theologians of the Western Church & ranks among the most prominent of the early Latin fathers. His wide-ranging literary output offers a valuable insight into the Christian Church at a crucial stage in its development.