Love Despite Requirement

i have started reading a new book. and it is odd, because i love it. the fact i love it does not make it odd. the fact that it is required reading for one of my classes and i love it, is what is odd. honestly though, i am fascinated with the topic and the content it contains.

the book is titled "Getting To Know The Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction" by Bryan M. Liftin. this guy, who is associate professor of theology at Moody Bible Institute (i cannot wait to take one of his classes!), dives into a hand full of the early Church Fathers who laid it all on the line, and in turn paved the road for much of the Church today.

i have been inspired, convicted and challenged......and i am only two chapters in! my heart has grown to want to seek more about these fathers and their lives, and how they believed so deeply in the Lord Jesus Christ and His message, they died for it.

we talked a little bit in my Christian missions class today about another church father (of whom is not addressed in the book, but still worth studying i believe), Polycarp. it is amazing what he did, and how God provided for him. he is a clear example of how God gives us the strength in the time of trial. after dragged before the emperor and instructed to recant, he refused. upon being threatened with being eaten by wild animals, he basically told the emperor to bring it on. angry, the emperor directed for him to be bound to a stake and burned alive....to this Polycarp refused to be bound, and stood there willingly. as the stake burned, he stood there singing hymns and did not burn. angry yet more, the emperor had him stabbed, and upon being stabbed his blood put out the fire surrounding him!

in all of it, he held to his convictions and went out singing to God!!!!!

this faith fascinates me, and challenges me. i would encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. i believe you will not regret reading this work, and like me....find it fascinating and be stirred to get to know the Church Fathers even better.


keep swimming deeper.