Decoding Nicea

The Council of Nicea was not merely clerics in a dark and ornate hall. It was brawls in churchyards. It was emperors and governors fighting to save the empire ... and perhaps salvage a little fame for themselves. It was political intrigues as the governments of church and state blended into a volatile stew. It was the way a fringe group of peace-loving communal worshipers of a crucified Palestinian prophet conquered the Roman Empire.

The Council of Nicea was not merely clerics in a dark and ornate hall. It was brawls in churchyards. It was emperors and governors fighting to save the empire ... and perhaps salvage a little fame for themselves. It was political intrigues as the governments of church and state blended into a volatile stew.It was the way a fringe group of peace-loving communal worshipers of a crucified Palestinian prophet conquered the Roman Empire.

This book introduces Liturgico-Political Theology, whose bedrock is the reality of the Paschal Mystery of Christ and the fruit it has borne for humanity: salvation. It presents this embrace of theology, liturgy and politics as part of the effects of the Christ Jesus won for humanity in His victorious death on Good Friday. It reiterates the inseparable connection between liturgy and life, in a way that liturgical celebrations do not leave those who take part passive and inactive persons. Hence, proceeding through an hermeneutic study of liturgical orations of various Masses as presented in the Roman Missal, the underlining messages and tasks given to political leaders in particular, and public servants in general, are articulated. They come to realize that the ultimate goal of politicking, is to emulate the selflessness of Jesus in serving humanity.

Third Edition includes: a foreword by Paul Pavao (author of Decoding Nicea), updated content and also a new chapter about the Council of Nicaea explaining what did (and didn’t) happen there. Take a journey through the first 400 years of Church History in only 40 days! Over the course of this reading plan you will read extracts and commentary on 23 different early Church texts from a selection of some of the most influential Church Fathers: Didache, Diognetus, Polycarp, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Cyprian, Athanasius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ambrose of Milan, and Leo the Great. These people who came before us, those great men of faith, many of whom suffered persecution and martyrdom to preserve the Church and Christ's mission, bridge the gap between the Bible and the present day. They fill the void we sometimes wonder about when we get to the end of reading Acts or the Epistles and think, “what happened next?” or “what happened to the Ephesian church after Paul left?” — well now you can read for yourself and see how God continued to grow His Church! “I cannot imagine there is a better way to get familiar with 350 of the most important years of church history in seven hours spread over 40 days.” — Paul Pavao, author of Decoding Nicea Praise for 40 Days with the Fathers: "Timeless truths still for today" "Insightful and captivating" "[This book] will round out your knowledge and help you become a better teacher." "If you are a pastor or church leader, I highly recommend this book for you."

Christianity is dying—in parts of the world it is already dead. Yet there is hope, but it will require radical surgery that many are unprepared to accept as necessary. The vast behemoth that calls itself institutional Christianity must die if the Jesus Movement upon which it was founded is to live. The essential message of the Christian gospel is that death leads to new life. Is Christianity ready to embrace this truth and die so that it can live?

Taking up where Christopher Hitchens' God Is Not Great left off, 24 Reasons to Abandon Christianity reveals Christianity's cruelty, dishonesty, fear-mongering, hypocrisy, misogyny, homophobia, dogmatism, and authoritarianism, and all of the misery, destruction, and death caused by these things. 24 Reasons to Abandon Christianity also reveals the roots of these characteristics, and why Christianity leads to all of these evils. While the book treats serious topics, its tone—much like Hitchens' book—is analytical, but also breezy and biting.

A World's Christian Convention A.D. 325 with a Life of Constantine. "The words Council, Synod, and Convention are synonymous. There were many Councils held in Christendom before that of Nice; but they were not Ecumenical, that is, general or universal." "The Council of Nice set the example of trying to compel Christians to adopt its modes of faith. That plan was not so fair as those pursued by the great philosophers." This book contains information on the life of Constantine "being decidedly the most conspicuous figure in the picture.

Using the genetic code as a model, this provocative book will provide you with theological analysis, biblical principles, and practical applications for understanding the structure and mission of today's church and how it can transform the world