The Free Church and the Early Church: Bridging the Historical and Theological Divide

by D.H. Williams

This is a fantastic book and I recommend it highly, especially for Protestants and even more so for those who are of the Free Church variety- Baptists, Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, etc. Topics covered include the canon of Scripture and the notions behind it, tradition and the nature and role of authority in the Church.

My critique of this book, along with others that Williams has written, is that it does not go far enough, and bear in mind this is coming from an ex-Protestant (Lutheran CMS). You see, it is true that there are many commonalities between the free church movement and the early church, and this book shows that and helps other "free churchers" lose their suspicion of tradition and recover from some of their typical historical amnesia. However, it reminds me of something that Frank Schaeffer said in a lecture about 16 years ago, and I think it is worth at least considering in relation to historically-minded Protestants of both the magisterial and non-magisterial traditions. In response to someone who said that they have decided that they agree with the Church Fathers and personally believe their doctrines, and thus are in continuity with them, Schaeffer replied, "That is like saying that since you enjoy things about French culture and have studied the language you are therefore French." And that is my other point about this book. Suspiciously lacking (and something I have noticed in such works) is a full discussion of baptism, eucharist, ordination and grace. This is more of a litmus test to continuity with the past than free church historians usually give due, and at the root of patristic ecclesiology.

Some books to consider reading in this regard are Werner Elert's Eucharist and Church Fellowship in the First Four Centuries, Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian by Jordan Bajis and The Fathers of the Church, Expanded Edition.

Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian

By Jordan Bajis

Eastern Orthodoxy is not just another version of what you heard in Sunday school or saw on tv. It is the ancient faith of the apostles and their followers handed down through the centuries, rooted in the worship and experience of the God who has revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ. If I had one book to give to someone interested in Eastern Christianity who was coming out of a Roman or Protestant background, this would be it! After rereading the book a few times over the past 15 years, I am more convinced than ever that this is the best book to give to friends who are interested in the Eastern Church, or to read for yourself if you are looking eastward!

Why read this book? He's done his homework! If you read this book several things will happen. You'll get a great introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy, geared to the Protestant and Catholic mindset. You'll get an incredible reading list by reading the very extensive endnotes (almost another book). In addition, you will most likely learn more about your own history, whether you're Protestant or Catholic. It will challenge your assumptions and sterotypes as well as help you rethink what the New Testament actually is for and about. You cannot go wrong with this book. Please buy it. Light and Life publishers sells it currently as a 2006 reissue.

Other books of interest: "Not by Scripture Alone" by Sungenis, "The Orthodox Way", "The Orthodox Church", and "How are We Saved?" by Bishop Kallistos Ware. Congar's "Tradition and Traditions" is a great work of Catholic scholarship by one of the masters. "The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church" by Vladimir Lossky will reshape your brain (and your nous)! For those of you who are more daring and looking to bite into something more meaty: "Being As Communion" by John Zizioulas; "Energies of the Spirit" by Duncan Reid; "The Ground of Union" by Williams. They deal with east/west theologies of the Trinity and the Holy Spirit, but they touch on everything else in between! Very deep stuff, takes time to read, but highly recommended!