Wyatt Graham

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Early Christian Studies

The First One Hundred Years of Christianity by Udo Schnelle

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I am fascinated by the question: why did a small number of Jewish monotheists worship the man Jesus Christ and how did that worship form the most populous religion in world history? 

Outside of select circles, few ask this question Yet without answering it, how can one understand Christianity? By answering this question, Christianity is identified. The answer to this question is just as much historical as it is theological. 

Theologically, a Christian can affirm that the answer to this question sets Christianity apart from Judaism and Islam—it is apologetically necessary to answer. The answer (for Christians) also names the centre, means, and purpose of Christianity since Christ sits at the centre of the cosmos, acts as the means by which humans return to God, and his life—eternal life—names the blessed end to which we strive in the present and will forever enjoy in the future.  

Historically, the question of how a small group of Jewish persons began to worship the man Jesus Christ and persuade multitudes to do so includes theological concerns but also requires considerable historical study. This is why works like The First One Hundred years of Christianity need to exist. In this work, Udo Schnelle has written an introduction to Christianity’s history, literature, and development that cites original sources and significant scholarship.  [Read more…] about The First One Hundred Years of Christianity by Udo Schnelle

Episode 43: Hans Boersma on Sacramental Ontology and Scripture

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In this episode, I talk with Hans Boersma on sacramental ontology and Scripture. Basically, we talk about how creation exists sacramentally in relationship with God and how Christians have and can approach Scripture. 

Here is his Amazon (.ca) page with books.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and/or Apple Podcasts. Also, see the host page at Anchor and the Youtube page. And bookmark this page to see every episode. [Read more…] about Episode 43: Hans Boersma on Sacramental Ontology and Scripture

Review of “Heresy And Dissent in the Carolingian Empire” (Matthew Bryan Gillis)

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Gottschalk of Orbais lived during the Carologinian era (c. 715–c.888 CE; p. 2). Born sometime before 814, his family (or some caretaker) gave him “as a child oblate to Fulda” (25). “During his pueritia or before he was of the age of understanding,” explains Matthew Bryan Gillis, “Gottschalk was allegedly forced by Hrabanus to take the monastic vow and tonsured against his will” (25). 

He would challenge the legality of his vow and eventually win his case. From that moment on, he would be a man marked by conviction.  Once, in order to prove his theology, he offered to undergo an ordeal. He proposed four barrels be filled with various liquids (water, oil, lard, pitch) under which fire would burn. Then he would dip his entire body into each barrel. If he lived, he considered his theology as vindicated (see 129–131).  [Read more…] about Review of “Heresy And Dissent in the Carolingian Empire” (Matthew Bryan Gillis)

Irenaeus has such a refreshing view of God’s purpose in saving humanity

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Irenaeus (c. 130–c. 202 AD) has such a refreshing view of God’s purpose in saving humanity. He richly exposits Scripture, does theology within living memory of the disciples of the Lord, and does not have to unfold the baggage that 2,000 years of church history has loaded up unto theological notions.
 
In the first place, he follows Paul in Romans 5 who identities Adam as a type for Jesus. The genealogy in Luke also shows Jesus’ relationship with Adam. In this case, Luke ties the end to the beginning—reminding of Origen’s dictum that the end is like the beginning.

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Why You Should Read a 4th Century Bishop’s Letter Collection (Review of Bradley K. Storin’s Gregory of Nazianzus’s Letter Collection)

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Gregory of Nazianzus (329–390 AD) is one of three people to receive the epitaph “Theologian.” The others are John the Apostle and Symeon (949–1022 AD). The title certainly indicates a deep knowledge about God, but it underscores the experiential knowledge of the Divine. So Gregory is one who not only knew about God but also knew him. Gregory also presided over the famous council of Constinople (381) for a short time. Actually, it was after leaving this council (being somewhat embittered because of his experience) that he was able to sponsor the collection of his letters. 

The translation by Bradley Storin is excellent, and it was a pleasure to have a book that focuses on the author (Gregory) rather than the scholarly apparatus of the editor. The introduction is short and to the point while the notes carry the same kind of simplicity. Since the content here is king, consider these three reasons why you should consider purchasing this affordable collection of letters from a fourth century bishop.  [Read more…] about Why You Should Read a 4th Century Bishop’s Letter Collection (Review of Bradley K. Storin’s Gregory of Nazianzus’s Letter Collection)

Fortunatianus of Aquileia Wrote a Commentary on the Gospels in the Fourth Century and It’s Free to Read

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In the mid-three hundreds, Fortunatianus served as bishop of Aquileia and wrote a commentary on the Gospels. According to the History Blog, “it is the oldest surviving Latin commentary on the Gospels.”

De Gruyter has kindly provided an entire English translation of the work. For those interested in the Gospels and early Christian interpretation of them, this is a wonderful resource.