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This Holy Seed: Faith, Hope and Love in the Early Churches of North Africa
Starting where the Acts of the Apostles ends, This Holy Seed carries the story of the early church along the southern shores of the Mediterranean as far as the Atlantic Ocean and up to the Arab conquest.
Considering the reasons for the spectacular growth of the early church in North Africa and the causes of its equally remarkable collapse, This Holy Seed identifies the greatest lesson of Christian that churches flourish and grow so long as they follow Biblical principles, but sicken and die when they abandon them. The narrative introduces us to some memorable characters Tertullian, Cyprian, Augustine of Hippo, Origen, Perpetua and her friends people whose names are now all but forgotten in the land of the vanished church . Referring back to the original documents, this unusual book recounts their dramatic story of daring faith, loyal devotion and love that was undeniably stronger than death. This Holy Seed offers a thoroughly evangelical view of Christian history and throws down a serious challenge for the churches of our own day. "extensively researched and superbly written." (Evangelicals Now)
Considering the reasons for the spectacular growth of the early church in North Africa and the causes of its equally remarkable collapse, This Holy Seed identifies the greatest lesson of Christian that churches flourish and grow so long as they follow Biblical principles, but sicken and die when they abandon them. The narrative introduces us to some memorable characters Tertullian, Cyprian, Augustine of Hippo, Origen, Perpetua and her friends people whose names are now all but forgotten in the land of the vanished church . Referring back to the original documents, this unusual book recounts their dramatic story of daring faith, loyal devotion and love that was undeniably stronger than death. This Holy Seed offers a thoroughly evangelical view of Christian history and throws down a serious challenge for the churches of our own day. "extensively researched and superbly written." (Evangelicals Now)
454 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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May 18, 2025
I LOVED reading this book! It was full of so much information about church history, but since it mostly focused on the stories of individuals, it was engaging, enjoyable, and easy to read. It was powerful to see how the church grew and was strengthened under intense persecution and yet grew weak and compromised in its absence. Also, reading about the significant and often heated disagreements between faithful Christians throughout history over complex issues is humbling to me as I think through ecclesiology and seek to wrestle well with theological questions.
I appreciate the author’s encouragement at the end to follow the individuals described throughout the book only insofar as they follow Scripture. I’m left with lots of questions about Montanism, wanting to read Tertullian, and especially humbled by the many who gave their lives for the sake of Christ. I want to read through again before too long; there’s so much content that I want to able to retain and think more deeply about.
I appreciate the author’s encouragement at the end to follow the individuals described throughout the book only insofar as they follow Scripture. I’m left with lots of questions about Montanism, wanting to read Tertullian, and especially humbled by the many who gave their lives for the sake of Christ. I want to read through again before too long; there’s so much content that I want to able to retain and think more deeply about.
Displaying 1 of 1 review