Overview

More than Conquerors examines the origin of the early Christian Church beginning on the Day of Pentecost down to the later years of the fifth century. This is a crucial period during which the early Christians had to contend with opposition from false teaching within its ranks and the brutal persecutions of the Roman Empire from without. Notwithstanding these challenges the early Christians were able to agree the books which make up the New Testament and the key doctrines of the Trinity and the eternal deity and humanity of Jesus, producing historic creeds which are still express the very heart and centre of global Christian faith. The book demonstrates how early Christian leaders and theologians utilized and contextualized apostolic teaching and biblical and literature in the development of their lives, disciplines, worship and sacraments. The Emperor Constantine’s conversion in 312 brought an end to the persecutions and ultimately led to Christianity becoming the established religion of the Roman Empire. The spread of Early Christianity was remarkable by any standards. The early Christians had in a real sense become “More than Conquerors”, but that too brought its problems, albeit of a different nature. This is a book which greatly enhance all readers in the knowledge and understanding of their Christian faith, doctrine and understanding of the Church.

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9781789593914

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Reviews

“I wish I had had this ‘vade mecum’ when I was studying Early Church history years ago! Brimming with interest and insight, Dr Scotland’s latest book is a joy to read and a wonderful tool for those starting out in Christian ministry.” George Carey, Lord Carey of Clifton, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1991–2002   “In engagingly accessible prose, Nigel Scotland brings the thinking of the early Church to life, and helps us to understand better this vital period of the Church's change and growth.” Peter Scott, University of Manchester   “Many Christians know very little about the important stages in the early development of the Church’s faith. Nigel Scotland helps to address this deficit, as he draws on his many years as a popular teacher of church history in a variety of contexts to provide this accessible account of the first four and a half centuries of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Taking the source documents at face value, he builds a comprehensive narrative that highlights the Church’s practices, internal struggles and mission activities in various periods and settings and includes helpful timelines. Scotland ensures readers will know the essentials about and have a solid basis for further exploration of events, dates, key figures, controversies, councils and creeds in the remarkable expansion of the Christian movement in its most formative stage.” Andrew T. Lincoln, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, University of Gloucestershire   “Nigel Scotland’s books are a great gift for the church – for leaders, students, ordinands and anyone who is keen to discover more of the rich tapestry of Christian thought. He manages to distil enormous amounts of history and debate into thoughtful and readable summaries which are both illuminating and encouraging. Written by someone who is both an academic and an active minister, Nigel’s work is not just informative but brings compassion and perspective to many contemporary issues the Church faces today.” Tom Yacomeni, Rector of All Saints Weston Bath with North Stoke and Langridge  

Author Information

Nigel Scotland has spent the greater part of his life lecturing in church history. He has taught theology students at the Universities of Gloucestershire and Bristol and more recently at Trinity College Bristol and Ripon College Cuddesdon. He is the author of more than twenty books. He is married to Anne and they live at Woodmancote on the outskirts of Cheltenham.

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