The Cruelty Of Heresy

A scholarly review of early Christian history and its policies against heresy and lessons for today's church leaders and reformers Ancient heresies have modern expressions that influence our churches and culture, creating cruel dilemmas for today's Christian in the form of error, sin, and various distortions on orthodox faith. In The Cruelty of Heresy, Bishop C. FitzSimons Allison captures the drama and relevance of the Councils of the fourth and fifth centuries and shows how the remarkable achievements of these early struggles provide valuable guidelines for believers today. "Bishop Allison has combined a lifetime of scholarship and pastoral experience in this remarkable, readable work. . . . He vividly describes how the two human tendencies toward self-centeredness and escape from the difficulties of life--both very popular today--always distort the gospel. . . . Invaluable reading for any minister of the gospel, those who are preparing for Christian ministry, and all who seek a deeper understanding of authentic Christian orthodoxy."--Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Chicago (1982-1996)

A scholarly review of early Christian history and its policies against heresy and lessons for today’s church leaders and reformers Ancient heresies have modern expressions that influence our churches and culture, creating cruel dilemmas for today’s Christian in the form of error, sin, and various distortions on orthodox faith. In The Cruelty of Heresy, Bishop C. FitzSimons Allison captures the drama and relevance of the Councils of the fourth and fifth centuries and shows how the remarkable achievements of these early struggles provide valuable guidelines for believers today. “Bishop Allison has combined a lifetime of scholarship and pastoral experience in this remarkable, readable work. . . . He vividly describes how the two human tendencies toward self-centeredness and escape from the difficulties of life—both very popular today—always distort the gospel. . . . Invaluable reading for any minister of the gospel, those who are preparing for Christian ministry, and all who seek a deeper understanding of authentic Christian orthodoxy.”—Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Chicago (1982–1996)

Have you ever wondered how we got here? Have you ever wondered how Western civilization arrived at the brink of suicide? How did a thoroughly Christian culture give rise to the very ideas that seek to kill it? Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. Western civilization has never been conquered from without; it is being conquered from within. How do philosophies like deism, fatalism, Marxism, atheism, and secular humanism arise from within the confines of the Christian theological culture that is Western civilization? Also, why are there always exactly two sides to every fundamental disagreement? Why is it either liberal or conservative, sovereignty or freedom, rational or volitional, meticulous order or complete chaos, Catholic or Protestant, Lutheran or Reformed, God or humanity, the one or the many? Why is there never a third option, or even an option that can bypass the dichotomy? This book attempts to provide a framework that seeks to begin answering some of those questions. The answer may be something very ancient and almost forgotten in today's world. Theological decisions were made long ago that planted the seeds for the destruction of both church and civilization. What are they? Read and find out.

Some may consider calling the period we are living in chaos, an understatement. Others consider doing so an exaggeration. But the truth of the matter is that we find ourselves living in a time where we are required to face things individually and as a country and world that we have never experienced before. Readers will find help in facing these times in Thomas E. Tarpley Sr.’s book, Words from a Small-Town Pastor. Using the Bible, his experiences as a minister, and the writings of others, Tarpley helps believers in their faith walks and leads them through self-examination into a life-changing relationship with Jesus. You will find words that will inspire you when you feel like you are struggling as life starts to close in on you. You will also find reflections to lift you in times of trouble and give you a sense of hope when things seem hopeless. If you are not a believer, or you are finding it difficult to hold onto your faith, Words from a Small-Town Pastor will help you discover—or rediscover—the necessity of faith and help you find your way through the difficult times through God’s love.

Galatians is part of The Christian Standard Commentary (CSC) series. This commentary series focuses on the theological and exegetical concerns of each biblical book, while paying careful attention to balancing rigorous scholarship with practical application. This series helps the reader understand each biblical book's theology, its place in the broader narrative of Scripture, and its importance for the church today. Drawing on the wisdom and skills of dozens of evangelical authors, the CSC is a tool for enhancing and supporting the life of the church.

The Christology of John Macquarrie comprehensively scrutinizes the life and writings of Scottish-born systematic theologian and philosopher John Macquarrie (1919-2007) in an attempt to comprehend and evaluate his Christology. The author examines the people (e.g. Heidegger, Schleiermacher), the philosophical and theological positions, and the writings that formed Macquarrie's thinking. One major influence was his commitment to modern critical theology including the premise that, in the modern world, the only acceptable Christological tenets are those that can stand up to the scrutiny of modern critical reasoning. The work concludes that this commitment profoundly shaped Macquarrie's theology, especially his Christology. The book also discusses Macquarrie's evaluation and criticisms of the Christology of other theologians (e.g. Kierkegaard, Moltmann, Pannenberg, and others), concluding that Macquarrie's understanding of the Christian faith and the person of Jesus Christ is consonant with modern liberal Anglo-Catholicism. This idea furthers the argument that Macquarrie's reluctance to accept traditional incarnational categories suggests that his Christology is a modern form of Adoptionism.

The Reverend Phillips Brooks was undeniably one of the most popular preachers of Gilded Age America and the author of the beloved Christmas carol, 'O Little Town of Bethlehem.' However, very few critical studies of his life and work exist. In this insightful book, Gillis J. Harp places Brooks's religious thought in its proper historical, cultural, and ecclesiastical contexts while clarifying the sources of Brooks's inspiration. The result is a fuller, richer portrait of this luminous figure and of this transitional era in American protestantism.

Guilt, Anger & God: The Patterns of Our Discontents 1-57383-262-6 C. FitzSimons Allison 164 pp. Drawing from what perceptive non-Christians such as Freud, D.H. Lawrence, Reich and Marcuse have said about the human condition, Allison examines four contemporary patterns of the discontents of modern humanity-Anger, Disesteem, Guilt and Death. Believing that Christianity has been hurt as much by its friends as by its enemies, with deep pastoral concern Allison addresses the anguish many Christians feel today. He then discusses the gospel and its timeless message to our discontents. Skeptics, both within and outside the Church who hunger for more than "bread alone" will find this book an occasion for delightful surprises. "This is one of the most stimulating and evocative book I have read for some time. It is by no means the old psychological/theological witches' brew but really relates Christian doctrine to current and future questions about our human destiny."-David H. C. Read Dr. Allison is retired Bishop of South Carolina. His other books include The Rise of Moralism and Guilt, Love and Worship.