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Events Which Shaped Early Christianity Pt. 1
September 21, 2009 08:39 AM PDT
It is the writings of Scripture which provide us with inspired and God-ordained teachings for the carrying out of the Christian faith. The inspired writings of the Old Testament provides the backdrop of Christianity. The Gospels, Acts, Epistles and the book of Revelation, continue and complement those earlier writings and serve to shape Christianity through the years. While it is true that the Scriptures are the source to which we should go to keep focused on the core agenda of God, there are historical occurrences which have, for better or worse, influenced Christianity through the years. This sermon seeks to identify but a handful of those things which influenced Christianity into what it becomes in centuries to come. While some sought to advance Christianity out of devotion to God, others saw Christianity as a force to be exploited for personal advancement. Whatever the motives, the impact of historical events has have brought about unmistakable effects on Christianity. As we seek to live out Christian lives in the twenty-first century, it is helpful to look back over our shoulder to clearer understand where some of our practices, attitudes and views began. Most importantly, it helps us to sift between what is tradition and what is doctrine. Several sources were utilized in preparing these thoughts. Below is a partial list of those sources. Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity
Phyllis Tickle, The Great Emergence, How Christianity is Changing and Why Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity Justo Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1 & 2 The Effects of the Fall of Jerusalem on Christianity, By J. Julius Scott, Jr. Wheaton College Graduate School access online at: http://www.preteristarchive.com/JewishWars/articles/1983_scott_effects-on-christianity.html |
Podcast SummaryThis podcast features sermons presented at Oakhaven Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. These messages are offered as a resource for spiritual instruction and encouragement. About GaryThe podcasts you will find here are mostly sermons I have preached at Oakhaven Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. These are posted for the benefit of exploring the wonder of God’s word in scripture. No claims are made as to my own expertise as a scholar or authority. These audio presentations are not edited. They will often include a side comment or reference to a Powerpoint slide or handout. They will occasionally include a statement or an aside comment which might need clarification or even correction. I frequently find that if I listen to my own sermons I wince at the choice of words or wish I had elaborated on something so as not to be misleading or inaccurate. Bottom line: “it is what it is”. These are sermons to encourage one to study on their own, draw ones' own conclusions. Finally my own efforts serve well to point out the frail human condition of any of those of us who call ourselves, “preachers”. We paint a target on our chests every time we publicly proclaim God’s word. We are usually our own fiercest critics. Like Paul, we embrace the fact that “we know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified….and we stand before you in weakness and in fear and much trembling….my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit of power that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” 1 Cor. 2:2-5 ESV and a little paraphrasing of my own. — Gary Cleveland Fans of this ShowFavorite LinksGary's FriendsContact MeSubscribe to this Podcast
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