Author: faithandselfdefense

Mark McGee is a Christian author, career journalist, martial arts instructor, and former atheist. He became a Christian after attacking the faith of others as a radio talk show host during the 1960s and early 70s. Mark writes and speaks regularly about how to deal with bullies in life - physical and faith bullies. He serves as a regional director with Ratio Christi.

A Reading Plan for Christian Apologists – Part 3.28

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Reading Plan

We are currently looking at how Christian Church leaders dealt with heresies in the 4th century AD. The most challenging of the heresies was Arianism – the claim that there was a time when the Son of God “was not” and was a creation of God the Father.

Emperor Constantine I called hundreds of bishops together in the city of Nicene to debate this important doctrine. A vast majority of the bishops who attended voted against Arius (namesake of the doctrine of Arianism), excommunicated him and his followers, and wrote a creed known as the “original” Nicene Creed.

That decision in 325 AD did not end the debate or disagreement among leaders in the Church. We detailed some of what happened between the year 325 AD and the Council of Nicea in 325 and the year 381 AD and first Council of Constantinople. You can read that article here.

Before moving to the next stage of the Church’s battle with heresy in the 4th century, let’s take a closer look at what may be the most important aspect of the challenge of Arianism – a challenge still faced today.

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Book Review: IVP Pocket Reference Series

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The IVP Pocket Reference Series is a great way to build an excellent reference library without having to spend a lot of money. The entire series of 13 books costs $130 ($117 through IVP) and individual pocket dictionaries retail for just $10 ($9 through IVP – less than on Amazon.com and Christianbook.com).

The series includes:

  • Pocket Dictionary of  Theological Terms
  • Pocket Dictionary of Theology
  • Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew
  • Pocket Dictionary for the Study of New Testament Greek
  • Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies
  • Pocket Dictionary of Ethics
  • Pocket History of the Church
  • Pocket Dictionary of Church History
  • Pocket Guide to World Religions
  • Pocket Dictionary of Liturgy Worship
  • Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition
  • Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion
  • Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics

Since FaithandSelfDefense is primarily an apologetics ministry, I’ll review the two IVP books about apologetics.

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