As an amateur historian, I realized that church history could be long and tedious for many. In 2011 I compiled as much as I could condense and keep interesting as possible into this book. Printed copies can be purchased on Amazon, but I thought some on this site might be willing to use the PDF to be downloaded freely here.

This extract is from a real church history book written by a real scholar with a real D.D. As you have noticed, in today's world, unearned doctorates are given out like candy bars to unlearned clergy.This tiny pdf file (330k) - these few pages could have a great effect and actually free up 10's of billions of dollars each year if put into practice. I pray that it will happen. These words are merely echoing the teachings of scripture regarding needs-based financial assistance for those in the Christian communities.Not just the money is what is in view. Many so-called laymen must be called up for duty. A duty which they will come to love, I know. Never forget that when one person is elevated a

Can you or someone you know refute the thesis of this interesting book? I think not. But if so, please be our guest.

Like many scholarly works, Alastair Campbell's Elders - Seniority book began as a university thesis. He describes his goals here, a couple of years before the book was published. Naturally, by the time of publication, some of his views were slightly modified (corrected).Modern scholarship is finally undergoing a much needed shift regarding the identity of the elders. And a more biblical position, I might add. Needless to say, "modern scholarship" and the "seminary / clergy system" are inextricably tied together. They are not going to bite the hand which feeds them.

Here for your examination is a keen essay which could truly and immediately change the whole church - not to mention the whole world.Money - misappropriated. And hierarchy, forbidden in Scripture, have been a big hindrance to the spread of the Gospel and to our beloved Saviour's Kingdom as well.Yes, these are delicate subjects because we are talking about the livelihoods of well-meaning although misinformed people.The key to unlocking this subject is the phrase "needs based".And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:35.The early churches, often small and meeting in homes, did not supply salaries for all the elder men (

Let's go over to Oxford, one of the oldest schools around. Founded in 1096. Long before your family discovered America.Listen to what was being said 130 years ago. Although a high churchman, this great teacher/writer was certainly aimed in the right direction in order to restore the dignity and ministry of every believer in the Son of God.Every instinct within him cried out for further reformation and radical changes of how priesthood and ministry are viewed.He was a very deep thinker offering vast implications for the church and for life. We'll look forward to meeting him in glory.

There seem to be more theorists than practitioners in our movement. David is both. He's what we would call a missions strategist. He wakes up every day desiring that more people would somehow meet their Saviour. Then he attempts to execute a good plan.David earned a bachelors, 2 Masters and a Ph.D. degrees. He's used these academic credentials to write 4 books, edit 4 and contribute more than a hundred articles and papers in various journals and books since 1983.His latest writings are in community development, Christian theology, Asian cultures and inter-religious relations.He's presently the President of Asian School of Development and Crosscultural Studies (ASDECS), based in Manila, Phili

What a plan! Self-supporting, professional, Christian workers showing up to... work. Rather than arriving with their bags and seminary certificates and expecting to become religious local professionals. This is not to suggest that a seminary degree isn't a useful thing. All learning is of value just as surely as all truth is from the Almighty,I'm reminded of how the Apostle Paul found fellowship with those of the same employment and craft. And our Lord, too, of whom it was asked: Is this not the carpenter?Accordingly, David Aikman envisions “thousands of Chinese technicians and workers”, wearing the disguise of the professional workers of the Chinese led global system of economic development

Here is a review of a recent book entitled: THE ELDERS: SENIORITY WITHIN EARLIEST CHRISTIANITY. STUDIES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT AND ITS WORLD by R. Alastair Campbell.It a obviously a book about the identity of those called elders. As this word reads - so does it mean. These are merely the older Christians who are given the responsibility of oversight and shepherding in the church of God. When readers of the New Testament letters came across the word, it already had thousands of years of clear meaning.By viewing this review one will be reminded that the traditional consensus view of church leadership is being challenged and that it is ongoing. It's too bad that we lost about two thousand years a

Eventually, the subject of baptism will come up. Can this puzzle finally be solved? Hundreds if not thousands of books have been written regarding the mode and subjects of what is considered by most as a sacrament.But... there are few books out there which regard external water baptism as now obsolete. In view of a better, inward spiritual baptism. This volume seems to lean toward the latter view. Read it for yourself and decide.We're brothers and sisters in Christ. We are seeking unity, not division, as we seek the truth. Therefore we will not allow our interpretations to affect our friendship and good-will towards every other child of God.That said, it never hurts to take a fresh look at a

One of the problems facing the Church in the Western world today is the problem posed by the “ministry” of those who are considered “gifted speakers” and consequently idolised by the Church. Stated in its most simple form this is the problem posed by the prioritising of the personality, charisma, “profile,” popularity, stage presence and ability of the speaker as an orator and entertainer over the content of the message being delivered—in short, the triumph of style over content, the consequence of which has been the creation of an intellectually feeble-minded and theologically malnourished generation of churchgoers who are over stimulated by sentimental and mindless entertainment worship ma

One of the very best books on the subject of Church history. The author was not a man of inferior learning. He compiled and published a Concordance as well as books on Astronomy, among many other things. Also, a poet.Look through it here and if you can use it you can download this large, once rare volume for your own collection. It is now offered in a single file.The days are short, the nights are cold. Warm your soul at the hearth of James Gall.