Status Updates From Reading the Early Church Fa...

I reached the end of the text and now find a lot of appendices with charts and bullet points- not what I was expecting

Now up to the period of schism, persecution, and of formalized hierarchy, and it's only the fourth century! I'll pick this book up again when Lent begins and hope to finish it by Easter

I did not make it as far into my Advent reading as I hoped, but not from lack of interest. This book describes a vigorous and contentious set of early church communities in which the ecclesiasticlal roles are still being worked out

So far, a blend of good observations (things to keep in mind while reading early church documents — succinct, helpful reminders) and an occasionally annoying condescending tone. Or maybe just a sense that the intended audience isn't me, but a group of high schoolers in a cool school that studies patristics.

Matthew 3:7-9

There is so much eisegesis in this book! It reads like an evangelistic pamphlet for the papacy.