Ancient Landmarks: An Evangelical's Guide to Patristic and Medieval Thought

by Leonardo De Chirico

Leonardo De Chirico traces and evaluates early and medieval church theological developments, introducing them to an evangelical readership who may be unfamiliar with them.

By carefully understanding diverse voices and schools of thought, he demonstrates that we know as evangelical Christianity has in fact always been present, that contemporary and historic Roman Catholic/Orthodox accounts fail to fulfil it. Ancient Landmarks offers an evangelical hermeneutic of the church fathers (both ancient and medieval) that is generous yet also critical.





De Chirico carefully works from the 2nd to the 14th Centuries, tracing the major figures, ideas and movements that echo theologically today. Key discussions range from the impact of figures like Augustine, Aquinas and the Cappadocians, through to practical debates with ongoing importance for church life. This top level survey is a great starting point for those new to church history and historical theology, with careful scholarly engagement and clear summaries.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 22, 2026

About the author

Leonardo De Chirico is the pastor of Breccia di Roma, a church that he helped plant in Rome in 2009. He served as Vice Chairman of the Italian Evangelical Alliance from 2003-2021 and now serves as chairman for the theological commission of the IEA.

Previously, Leonardo planted and pastored an evangelical church in Ferrara, Italy, from 1997 to 2009. He earned degrees in History (University of Bologna), Theology (ETCW, Bridgend, Wales) and Bioethics (University of Padova).

His PhD is from King's College (London); it was published as Evangelical Theological Perspectives on Post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism.

In 2015, he published A Christian Pocket Guide to Papacy and A Christian Pocket Guide to Mary: Mother of God? through Christian Focus.

He is a lecturer of Historical Theology at Istituto di Formazione Evangelica e Documentazione in Padova, Italy.

Additionally, Leonardo is the Director of the Reformanda Initiative, which aims to equip evangelical leaders to better understand and engage with Roman Catholicism, and the leader of the Rome Scholars & Leaders Network (RSLN).