From: Donna.D'Iorio@f7022.n124.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Donna D'Iorio)
Newsgroups: alt.messianic
Subject: The Fathers
Date: 6 Sep 92 16:06:04 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/7022 - MAXUS World H, Dallas TX


    In response to William E. Hamilton
WE>From: hamilton@hydra.cs.gmr.com (William E. Hamilton CS50 CS/50)
WE>Date: 1 Sep 92 21:36:53 GMT
WE>Organization: GM Research Labs, Warren, MI
WE>Why don't you post a reading list. I admit  I don't know as
WE>much church history
WE>as I should, and I would be willing to tackle at least some of the books
WE>consider most worthwhile.  If others will do the same, maybe this issue
WE>discussed from a more informed viewpoint.

    I appreciate the spirit of your response, William.  I think that
most of us believers don't know as much about our own history as we
should...how does that saying go?  Something along the lines of those
that are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it. Misconceptions
could be cleared up if we looked at our history a bit closer.
    In fact, we read the history of Israel every time we pick up our
Bibles.  That makes us quite expert in knowing their failings while
thoroughly ignorant of our own. Put side by side, I have long suspected
that the two histories would run quite a parallel race in terms of
failings. But our history is not canonized so we don't bother.
    Think your idea of a history book list is a good one. One thing that
I would like to say though, and that is how Christian historians tend to
once-over-lightly any of the darker portions of Church history.  It is
necessary to consult secular and Jewish historians to fill in all the
information that Christian historians have tended to leap over in a
one-liner type "confession" of wrong-doing.  Not all, but I assure you
that this has been the rule, not the exception.
    As already mentioned, "Our Hands Are Stained With Blood" by Michael
L. Brown (ISBN 1-56043-068-0) Destiny Image Publishers, is an excellent
condensed history of the breach.
    "The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine" by Eusebuis.
Many discount Eusebuis' history because he had an agenda to firm up the
church with the Roman state, but as long as you keep his agenda in mind
you can glean many valuable insights from his work.  He certainly was
not 100% truthful in areas regarding his agenda, but that cannot erase
many other insights he passes along regarding the ancient church.
    From a mainly theological focus, I suggest Daniel Gruber's "The
Church and the Jews: the Biblical Relationship." Much documentation and
indepth look at theological development and divisions.  Available for
about $10 from Daniel Gruber, Box 776, Hanover, NH 03755; published by
the 1991 General Council of the Assemblies of God, Intercultural
Ministries. {BTW--I follow no party-line in what books I will read, but
read all be it Catholic, Replacement, Baptist, Messianic etc.}.
    Another which focuses on the beginnings of the breach in the ancient
church, "Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" by
Marvin R. Wilson.
    "The Eternal People" by Elias Charry and Abraham Segal, 1967 United
Synagogue of America...."The Early Church" by Henry Chadwick (Dorsett
Press, 1986 ISBN 0-88029-077-3)...."The Anguish of the Jews: Twenty-
Three Centuries of Antisemitism" by Edward Flannery (NY/Mahwah: Paulist
Press, 1985)....James Parkes, "The Conflict of the Church and the
Synagogue: A Study in the Origins of Antisemitism (NY: Atheneum, 1985)

    This is the stuff within reach of the computer <grin>, although
Michael Brown's book gives a really good biblographical supplement by
each of the sixteen separate focues he investigates, from ancient
development to Medieval to modern.  Good source for sources. Hope this
helps.
    "to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace. And that
He might reconcile BOTH unto God in one body...."Eph 2:15-16  **Donna

--  
Donna D'Iorio - via ParaNet node 1:104/422
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