Will Not Return Void: The Use of Scripture in the Evangelistic Writings in the Greek Patristic Tradition
Ebook
When one considers the early Christian church, one is immediately struck by the exponential growth that the church experienced. The inevitable question one must ask when considering the early church's rapid rate of growth is: How did it happen? While social forces, plagues, politics, and ideology competitions were certainly factors in the growth of Christianity, one would be remiss not to consider the methodology behind the considerable evangelistic effort made by the patristic church. This dissertation analyzes the use of Scripture in the apologetic and evangelistic writings produced by Christian leaders within the Greek patristic tradition and their belief that Scripture was the primary tool given by God for the conversion of souls.
“Numerous studies in patristics have focused on the beliefs
about the nature and authority of Scripture among the church
fathers. Dr. Dearing has built on that research by demonstrating
how the Greek church fathers used Scripture, specifically for
evangelistic purposes. Carefully researched, clearly written—this
work will help the reader understand the rapid spread of the gospel
message in the early centuries of Christendom. I heartily endorse
this book.”
—Timothy K. Beougher, Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism and
Church Growth, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Studies of the evangelization of the Roman Empire usually are
restricted in time and space. They usually conclude with the
political triumph of Christianity in the late fourth century and
encompass only the literary and material witness from the world of
the Mediterranean. This fresh study by Dr. Dearing, which is
focused on the key role played by the Word of God in the
evangelistic outreach of the Greek patristic tradition, is not so
limited. It takes into consideration not only key early figures
like Justin Martyr and Origen, but also Chrysostom—a vibrant
witness in the era immediately after trinitarian Christianity was
declared the only legal religion of the Roman Imperium—and John of
Damascus in the very different world of the Muslim-dominated Middle
East. A very helpful study of this tradition of evangelism and the
way that Scripture was absolutely central to it.”
—Michael A. G. Haykin, Chair and Professor of Church History, The
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Title: Will Not Return Void: The Use of Scripture in the Evangelistic Writings in the Greek Patristic Tradition
- Author: John AllenIII Dearing
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666713053, 1666713058
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666713053
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-22T14:17:38Z
John Allen Dearing III is the pastor of Excelsior Springs
Baptist Church in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.