Ancient v. Modern

As a result of taking another Historical Theology class I came up with the goal to read The Early Church Father's, Calvin's Institutes, and Luther's Bondage of the Will this fall. Often times in our culture, and even in the church we want the newest, the hot off the press book on the Knowing God's Will. We look at what is the bestseller at the christian bookstore and think we just have to have that book.

The funny thing is, that particular book may be out of print in a couple of years and who will remember but used book store owners? We all as believers in Christ are formed into one body by the work of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:12-13) that unites us with every other believer in this world now, but also unites us with believers who have gone before. I might share a lot in common with Chuck Swindoll, we are American Evangelicals, who are children of the 20th-21st Century, and educated at Dallas Theological Seminary. The problem with only reading people you agree with or have things in common with is that your both susceptible to the same blind spots. Reading Ignatius' seven letters to the churches as he went to martyrdom is unlike anything Rick Warren could write and causes me to reflect upon my own devotion to our common faith. Consider also that the church fathers were discipled by the apostles. Isn't it possible that there teachings are more reflective of Christlikeness than someone of our era?These fathers of our faith can give us insights from a completely different time period, and different part of the world. The amazing thing is that the same Spirit that indwelt them, indwells you and me and the same battle we fight against a fallen culture, they fought against a fallen culture. I wouldn't suggest that everything I read in Calvin's Institutes is to be accepted as truth, but we as Evangelicals likely find our Protestant heritage in him and have much in common with his teachings, so why not read him to see if there is some truth he can teach us that others from our era and tradition overlook?

So I encourage anyone reading this post(mom) not to run out and get the latest book by your favorite author, without stopping to read something that has stood and weathered the test of time. And if you need a list of the Church Fathers that's understandable...

J