Liberty Theological Seminary

A Review on Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction

A Paper Submitted to Dr. Dave Pederson In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the course History of Christianity I CHHI 520

By Baskin, Deborah M.

22 September 2012

2 Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction By Bryan M. Litfin, Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2007, 301 pp, $18.00 paperback. INTRODUCTION Bryan M. Litfin, who holds a PhD from the University of Virginia and is an associate professor of theology at Moody Bible Institute, has written a compelling book that expounds upon the church fathers; however, he included one chapter on a Perpetua who was a woman martyr from the early third century. Litfin outlined the four qualifications that define a patristic: 1) they must be ancient, 2) orthodox in doctrine, 3) holy in life, and 4) approved by other Christians (p. 19). His goal was to help develop an appreciation for the church fathers by correcting the misconceptions that many evangelicals have about them, and to help the modern church understand the doctrinal thrust these early theologians had on the faith (pp. 20-28). STRUCTURE AND STYLE Litfin stated, When we get to know the church fathers as individuals, we will begin to understand something of the grandeur of the community to which we belongWe begin to feel connected to those believers who passionately followed Jesus Christ (p. 29). In order to accomplish this purpose Litfin chose ten individuals (i.e., Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons, Tertullian, Perpetua, Origen, Athanasius, John Chrysostom, Augustine, and Cyril of Alexandria) that he considered influential in their contribution to church doctrine based upon their lives and writings. Persuasively, he draws the reader into the life of each person by beginning the chapter with a more modern story that is an indication of how he has recounted the history of the ancient. Next, he encapsulated the regions society and politics as he emphasized the challenges that the church faced both from the pagans outside the church and from heresy within the church. Finally, he introduced the main character of the

3 chapter giving the persons background beginning with their birth, family, education, career/s, and conversion experience. This is followed by the subjects contribution to the faith, which might include their writings and theological explanations of the early text, how he/she helped to define the canon, and his/her faith during times of persecution or martyrdom. Often, Litfin made connections of other historical church figures where he illustrated either their respect or in some case disdain for each other. After a captivating narrative, he personalized the chapter by asking thought provoking questions. He ended the chapters with suggestions for further study and a sampling of the Church Fathers writing or more eyewitness accounts of the subject. CRITIQUE Getting to Know the Church Fathers is reminiscent in style to historical fiction in that Litfin sets up each chapter in a way that hooks the reader and entices one to continue with the text. As he developed the storyline, I found myself hoping that the ending (in some cases) would not be so brutal. However, since Litfin faithfully wrote historical events, he truthfully reported that Ignatius, Martyr, Irenaeus, and Perputua are all martyred, which is described in gruesome detail. These accounts are used to drive home an important theme of the book that Tertullian made famous, The blood of the Christians is seed (p. 100). Litfin designed his book to ascertain that the readers understand the price that was paid by the early Christians in their fight to keep the faith they had received in Christ alive. One of his stated goals was to introduce the church in a personal way to her spiritual ancestors (p. 16). Therefore, the laity will discover that Litfins syntax is extremely user-friendly. When he introduces a more advanced theological term, he defines it - i.e., asceticism: the disciplining of the body against its fleshly desire (p.

4 193). His explanation of Gnosticism and other heretical doctrine is straightforward and will help the reader to appreciate the heresies that particular church fathers were battling. In this respect the book makes an excellent primer for the average Christian wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the churchs past and of her spiritual leaders. However, for one with more advanced learning, he may wish that Litfin would refrain from defining such terms and give more space to additional material or theological issues that the church father advanced. Despite this small criticism, Litfins book should captivate any reader (babe in the word to studied theologian) as he or she becomes intimately involved in the lives of the individuals in those early years of the church. One of the most moving narratives in the book is the account of Perpetua and her companions. Included is the following: Perpetua and Felicity were stripped and led out to the sandy floor of the arena before the hungry crowd. The narrator records that the Romans were ashamed when they saw the womens naked bodies, for they could see Perpetua was in the flower of her youth and Felicitys breasts were still dripping with milk from her recent childbirth. The onlookers demanded the martyrs be clothed in tunics to ease their guilty consciences. Then they were returned to the arena (pp. 133-134). This is representative of Litfins capable writing style that permits the modern Christian a modicum of insight into the harsh reality and pain that these women had to endure. He composes other events of the additional featured individuals with the same passion and style. Some might feel that this type of writing is done for an emotional response. However, the fight for ones faith should produce feeling in an individual. Another appreciated aspect of the book is the way in which various theologies were decided upon. These men had to help interpret the meanings of the letters of Paul and the gospels before any established protocol existed. Ignatius advocated for the monepiscopacy in order to promote harmony and to safeguard the message (pp. 42-43). Justin developed the theology of the Logos as the Incarnate Son of God, which began to

5 address the doctrine of the Trinity (p. 66). Irenaeus established the idea of recapitulation and the Rule of Faith (pp. 90-91). Augustine described the fundamental spiritual longing that can only be satisfied in Christ (p. 215). These were just a few of the theological ideas that the church fathers developed that are staples in the Christian faith today. CONCLUSION Getting to Know the Church Fathers is a book that would benefit any evangelical who aspires to gain a deeper affection for the faith and to grasp the reality of the true cost of discipleship. It will help one to understand how much of the theology and the structure of the church were established. Lastly, the reader will be astounded as he or she acquires a newfound love and appreciation for the church fathers.