“They were convinced that many people were living in fear, sensing that they were in bondage to demons. “For many years Satan had bound us and held us captive,” preaches Origen. But, he says, Jesus came to set us free!… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“This, the Christians believed, was God’s work and not theirs. So they did not engage in frantic action to save those who were not… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“An unmixed marriage, Christian with Christian—this according to Tertullian enabled believers to live life in its fullness. This is not what we expect from… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“At the heart of early Christian worship was table fellowship. Throughout the first three centuries Christian communities gathered once a week for a meal.… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“Does my subjectivity shape the book? Of course it does, and that dynamic can be bad or good, or both! For example, in reading… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“According to Tertullian, impatient actions do not produce what they promise. Instead, impatient actions make things worse, bringing about massive misfortunes. “Now, nothing undertaken… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“The Christians’ focus was not on “saving” people or recruiting them; it was on living faithfully—in the belief that when people’s lives are rehabituated… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“When people seek to follow Christ, according to Origen, God forms them into people who embody this patience. Christ’s followers are not in a… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“Origen was most articulate about this struggle. “For you who are redeemed by Christ,” he challenged believers in Caesarea, “a physical sword has been… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“So, in our imaginative scenario, Constantine the Christian decided to adopt a policy of mission true to the early Christians’ tradition of patience: Regarding… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“We can hear the catechist intoning precept 26: “That it is of small account to be baptized and to receive the eucharist unless you… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“As Tertullian put it around AD 200, “Christians are made, not born.” 4” — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
“In all their activities Christians are “filled with joy uttering and doing the precepts of the Lord,” teaching their children never to lose hold… — Alan Kreider Copy Share Image
