http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/450 ...dispatches from the post-evangelical wilderness Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:35:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/450#comment-6012 therevdrdan Fri, 05 May 2006 11:10:20 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/450#comment-6012 Many years ago, I learned the quick summary of a Protestant understanding of history from an Evangelical Covenant layman. He made the point sarcastically: For many of us, Christianity perished after the death of the last apostle and was resurrected on Halloween, 1517. In the intervening 1400 hundred years there was nothing but heresy and corruption. It's a view one sees expressed often in not-so-subtle ways. Many years ago, I learned the quick summary of a Protestant understanding of history from an Evangelical Covenant layman. He made the point sarcastically: For many of us, Christianity perished after the death of the last apostle and was resurrected on Halloween, 1517. In the intervening 1400 hundred years there was nothing but heresy and corruption. It’s a view one sees expressed often in not-so-subtle ways.

]]> http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/450#comment-6009 pastorcarldixon Fri, 05 May 2006 00:49:12 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/450#comment-6009 I particulary appreciated this book did not try to 'convince' me of anything but instead educated me. I studied the history of doctrine in seminary so this book was a reminder of much I learned back then. Most Christians do not have enough understanding of Church history to really appreciate this book. For instance I studied in detail the theology and life of Karl Barth. Without that knowledge it would be impossible to really understand even the chapter in Justin's book. I am very glad for the Da Vinci Code. I have urged the people in my church to read it and go to the movie. We will be doing a special service to answer the questions. But one member of my church asked me a question that really stopped me. I was complaining about how little the average Christian knows about church history. He asked; "Pastor when did you teach us?" Every Pastor should have to ask that question. I now have to consider just how I am going to add a good deal of church history to the Biblical messages I study for each week. I particulary appreciated this book did not try to ‘convince’ me of anything but instead educated me. I studied the history of doctrine in seminary so this book was a reminder of much I learned back then. Most Christians do not have enough understanding of Church history to really appreciate this book. For instance I studied in detail the theology and life of Karl Barth. Without that knowledge it would be impossible to really understand even the chapter in Justin’s book. I am very glad for the Da Vinci Code. I have urged the people in my church to read it and go to the movie. We will be doing a special service to answer the questions. But one member of my church asked me a question that really stopped me. I was complaining about how little the average Christian knows about church history. He asked; “Pastor when did you teach us?” Every Pastor should have to ask that question. I now have to consider just how I am going to add a good deal of church history to the Biblical messages I study for each week.

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