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Revolution: The Story of the Early Church - The First Seventeen Years
A rip roaring, hair raising, edge-of-your-chair saga of the first-century believers. From the day of Pentecost on, through the first seventeen years, every historical figure of that age is alive, vivid, believable.
The book of Acts is there; ancient history is there; men secular and sacred come alive! An historical cliff-hanger written like a novel.
There is not another book on the first century like it in print. The story of the early church, the word of God in Century One is once more alive, down to earth and thrilling. A new dimension in first-century history.
The book of Acts is there; ancient history is there; men secular and sacred come alive! An historical cliff-hanger written like a novel.
There is not another book on the first century like it in print. The story of the early church, the word of God in Century One is once more alive, down to earth and thrilling. A new dimension in first-century history.
222 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1974
7 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Gene Edwards
134 books275 followersGene Edwards is one of America's most beloved Christian authors. He has published over 25 best-selling books, and his signature work, "The Divine Romance," has been called a masterpiece of Christian literature. He has written biblical fiction covering nearly the entire Bible, with titles that include the following: "The Beginning," "The Escape," "The Birth," "The Divine Romance," "The Triumph," "Revolution," "The Silas Diary," "The Titus Diary," "The Timothy Diary," "The Priscilla Diary," "The Gaius Diary," and "The Return."
Gene grew up in the East Texas oil fields and entered college at the age of 15. He graduated from East Texas State University at 18 with a bachelor's degree in English history and received his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gene is part of the house-church movement, and he travels extensively to aid Christians as they begin meeting in homes rather than in church buildings. He also conducts conferences on living the deeper Christian life.
Gene and his wife, Helen, reside in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two grown children.
Gene grew up in the East Texas oil fields and entered college at the age of 15. He graduated from East Texas State University at 18 with a bachelor's degree in English history and received his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gene is part of the house-church movement, and he travels extensively to aid Christians as they begin meeting in homes rather than in church buildings. He also conducts conferences on living the deeper Christian life.
Gene and his wife, Helen, reside in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 6, 2020
I sympathise with much of the content and perspective that Edwards puts forward, as well many of the issues that he attempts to address within the Church. However, he does himself a huge disservice with the grating frustrated air with which he approaches it within these pages.
'A Tale of Three Kings' was brilliant, his writing in this book however is mind-numbing and irksome. Two Hundred pages of "Here is where we are in the story > How you should interpret it > 3.25 metric tonnes of bias > large frustrated rant > Oh yeah, back to the story > repeat."
While there is the odd nugget to ponder; If you are truly, deeply wrestling through the questions of what the Church is, look elsewhere. Find something that points you to Jesus.
'A Tale of Three Kings' was brilliant, his writing in this book however is mind-numbing and irksome. Two Hundred pages of "Here is where we are in the story > How you should interpret it > 3.25 metric tonnes of bias > large frustrated rant > Oh yeah, back to the story > repeat."
While there is the odd nugget to ponder; If you are truly, deeply wrestling through the questions of what the Church is, look elsewhere. Find something that points you to Jesus.
June 30, 2020
To read a Gene Edwards book is to embark on an unconventional journey in pursuit of a decentralized form of Christian community. Edwards argues throughout his work that the early Church was characterized by continual focus on Jesus, a vibrant communal love and a deep commitment to severely limited organization designs.
Several times I found myself wrestling with some of the assertions he makes about the primitive Church and its normative value for us today. For example, he espouses house churches with no recognized leadership (that will arise over time), the unbiblical nature of professional clergy and the lack of structured formation such as we have in institutions today. There is both resonance and dissonance for me in what he expounds. And therein lies the beauty of this book. It is provocative, unashamedly desirous of Jesus and forthright in presenting a differing vision of Church life.
One point that almost rises to the level of a motif is that of "wasted years". Edwards points repeatedly to the fact that all NT workers (including Jesus Himself) began in obscurity with a seemingly non-existent plan of action. They absorbed their kingdom reality rather than being intentionally formed by authoritative leaders. This emphasis was salient and seemingly prophetic for the time in which we live. Allowing God space to form us instead of fixating on doing, achieving and climbing the ministry ladder is, indeed, critical to healthy spirituality.
You may not embrace all this godly man has to say (I include myself in this group). But, there is safety in listening to those dissenting voices who obviously strive to bring the Word to us in a refreshing voice. I will be contemplating Edward's insights for days to come.
Several times I found myself wrestling with some of the assertions he makes about the primitive Church and its normative value for us today. For example, he espouses house churches with no recognized leadership (that will arise over time), the unbiblical nature of professional clergy and the lack of structured formation such as we have in institutions today. There is both resonance and dissonance for me in what he expounds. And therein lies the beauty of this book. It is provocative, unashamedly desirous of Jesus and forthright in presenting a differing vision of Church life.
One point that almost rises to the level of a motif is that of "wasted years". Edwards points repeatedly to the fact that all NT workers (including Jesus Himself) began in obscurity with a seemingly non-existent plan of action. They absorbed their kingdom reality rather than being intentionally formed by authoritative leaders. This emphasis was salient and seemingly prophetic for the time in which we live. Allowing God space to form us instead of fixating on doing, achieving and climbing the ministry ladder is, indeed, critical to healthy spirituality.
You may not embrace all this godly man has to say (I include myself in this group). But, there is safety in listening to those dissenting voices who obviously strive to bring the Word to us in a refreshing voice. I will be contemplating Edward's insights for days to come.
February 23, 2018
Loved this book! Both the way it is written, and the content. Multiple reads.
January 23, 2020
A real eye opener
Read
October 14, 2022How do I open the book to read it?
April 4, 2016
I am torn: 3 stars or 4 stars?
I am giving Revolution by Gene Edwards 3 stars, because though I enjoyed Edwards wise insights, I found he took major liberties on Scripture.
Near the beginning of the book, Edwards states that the first 3000 believers didn't study the Bible and that they most likely were all illiterate. Granted, they did not study like studies today, but we know from the Bible that they delved into Scripture. (Two examples: 2 Tim 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" and Acts 17:11 "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so"). I am pretty sure Jewish men needed to memorize the Torah, and the first 3000 believers were all Jewish, so I am sure they talked about Scripture and the connection to Christ quite a lot. A quote from Edwards in Revolution: "the idea of teaching the Scripture never entered their minds!" (pg 47) and "the apostles did not teach the Scripture" (pg 46). Instead the author claims they "experienced" Christ. Which is absolutely great, but to "experience" Christ, you need to know Scripture. Luke 24:27 says that Jesus spoke to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and "then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures."
Another small example to illustrate: Edwards states that Ananias plan was to give only part of his salary, but that is not what the Bible says, Ananias sold his property and lied and only give half of what he sold it for to the Apostles. It's a little thing, but it's still false.
There are a bunch of little things like that through out the book, so I opened Acts in the Bible and follow along noting the differences.
Regardless of that, I did enjoy reading the book and I enjoyed reading Edwards insights to how church community should look like. He often stressed the importance of time: time with the Lord in prayer and time under a mentor to learn and grow as a mature Christian before spreading the Gospel. I also enjoyed how he explained how the Lord developed and called men to serve. The last chapter was brilliant on explaining that. So for those insights, I recommend the book.
I am giving Revolution by Gene Edwards 3 stars, because though I enjoyed Edwards wise insights, I found he took major liberties on Scripture.
Near the beginning of the book, Edwards states that the first 3000 believers didn't study the Bible and that they most likely were all illiterate. Granted, they did not study like studies today, but we know from the Bible that they delved into Scripture. (Two examples: 2 Tim 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" and Acts 17:11 "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so"). I am pretty sure Jewish men needed to memorize the Torah, and the first 3000 believers were all Jewish, so I am sure they talked about Scripture and the connection to Christ quite a lot. A quote from Edwards in Revolution: "the idea of teaching the Scripture never entered their minds!" (pg 47) and "the apostles did not teach the Scripture" (pg 46). Instead the author claims they "experienced" Christ. Which is absolutely great, but to "experience" Christ, you need to know Scripture. Luke 24:27 says that Jesus spoke to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and "then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures."
Another small example to illustrate: Edwards states that Ananias plan was to give only part of his salary, but that is not what the Bible says, Ananias sold his property and lied and only give half of what he sold it for to the Apostles. It's a little thing, but it's still false.
There are a bunch of little things like that through out the book, so I opened Acts in the Bible and follow along noting the differences.
Regardless of that, I did enjoy reading the book and I enjoyed reading Edwards insights to how church community should look like. He often stressed the importance of time: time with the Lord in prayer and time under a mentor to learn and grow as a mature Christian before spreading the Gospel. I also enjoyed how he explained how the Lord developed and called men to serve. The last chapter was brilliant on explaining that. So for those insights, I recommend the book.
February 17, 2016
The hype is a little much, and I think the author over-uses dramatic words. Also, the author relies on speculation to weave his story. Yet, the book is fascinating as it puts the first part of the Book of Acts into a much more detailed story form.
Gene Edwards has studied Church history and the Scriptures related to it far more than I have, so let him be the expert. Still, too much is speculative. Good points are made, though, about the nature of church life and the roles of Apostles, evangelists, prophets, and teachers.
The church life described here is something for which I yearn, believing for years that wee are missing a lot in the noise of modern programming, schedules, demands, man-originated traditions, etc. I yearn for the intermingled living pictured in this book and which was surely experienced at some level in the first years of the church. If only.
Gene Edwards has studied Church history and the Scriptures related to it far more than I have, so let him be the expert. Still, too much is speculative. Good points are made, though, about the nature of church life and the roles of Apostles, evangelists, prophets, and teachers.
The church life described here is something for which I yearn, believing for years that wee are missing a lot in the noise of modern programming, schedules, demands, man-originated traditions, etc. I yearn for the intermingled living pictured in this book and which was surely experienced at some level in the first years of the church. If only.
January 30, 2012
A very good book to aid in retracing our steps from the first church. Gene Edwards brings some very good points to the table regarding church foundation and organization. What is the church really all about and how did early Christians live and interact. Especially, how did the church grow and what was the early leaders involvement during that time. The author makes some very good points in the second half of the book regarding church structure as well as being called vs being sent. All in all definitely a book worth reading.
March 15, 2009
Edwards' has some ok stuff in here, but mostly a rant against what he doesn't like about the modern church. He has some points that are good, but not convinced by his house-church ideas.
Want to read
November 17, 2012very good
June 8, 2016
Provocative on several different levels.
February 9, 2025
A great book, though I don’t agree with everything he says, but a powerful visual picture of how the early church came about and expanded!
March 21, 2008
Messed me up good for a while. VERY challenging to our American mindset.
January 26, 2011
must read
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews