Jefferson Park Baptist Church

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:2

Book Review

Defence1 of the Truth: Contending for the Faith Yesterday and Today

Michael Haykin, Evangelical Press, 2004, 149 pp.

This work by the Baptist church historian Michael Haykin is a refreshing combination of patristics and apologetics. In six brief chapters, Haykin examines six controversial topics in the early church which hold contemporary significance. In so doing, Haykin reminds his readers that most of the controversies of today were also alive and well in the early years of the Christian movement.

In chapter one, Haykin examines the Letter to Diognetus as a Christian response to paganism. He notes how the letter contrasts the merits of the Christian worldview vis-à-vis paganism. For example, Christians did not follow the pagan practice of “placing unwanted babies out in the streets or on the edge of town near the garbage dumps” (p. 27). In addition, though “sexual immorality was rampant within the Empire … Christians were firm in their stand against it” (p. 27). One will find many gems in this discussion that will aid in evangelizing modern Neo-Pagans and polytheists.

In chapter two, Irenaeus’ rebuttal of Gnosticism in Against Heresies is explored. The Gnostics were concerned with “freedom from Biblical morality,” and their teachings were assailing the church “before the ink on these inerrant texts [of the New Testament] were dry” (p. 36). Haykin notes Irenaeus’ reliance on a creedal Christianity built on the authority of Scripture in combating the Gnostics. He concludes that “this early Christian missionary and pastor recognized that the Lord feeds his people through all of the Scriptures, not simply select portions as the Gnostics argued” (p. 43).

Is debate over the end times a modern phenomenon? No, Haykins answers in chapter three, which explores the millennium debate in the Greek patristic tradition. Millenary views are traced in three major ancient authors. First, Irenaeus of Lyons is representative of those who held early historic premillennial views. His “defense of an earthly millennium is without doubt the most eloquent of the patristic era” (p. 53). Second, the amillennial position is traced in the writings of Origen (and Dionysius of Alexander). So successful was the critique of premillennialism, according to Haykin, that the amillennial position prevailed and “after the Council of Nicea (325) it is rare to find a Christian leader who opts for premillennialism” (p. 48). Finally, Haykin traces the writings of Basil of Caesarea in his rejection not only of the heterodox Christological views of Apollinarius of Laodicea but also his premillennial perspective, which Basil insisted was “both bizarre and unhealthy” (p. 64). Haykin concludes from this survey that “premillennialism was not a heresy” (p. 66, contra Basil). He notes how modern evangelicals “have come through similar divisions over eschatology” (p. 66). He concludes that eschatological disagreements “are not about the essence of the faith” and such debates “need to be shaped by humility, open minds and, ultimately, a willingness to agree to disagree” (p. 66).

In chapter four, Haykin explores the formulation of the doctrine of the Trinity, “among the greatest achievements of the early church” (p. 69). He first provides a helpful survey of the New Testament basis for the Nicene Creed. Next he traces the conflict between Arius and Athanasius. Finally, he looks at the writings of the Cappadocian Fathers (Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nanzius, and Gregory of Nyssa). In conclusion, Haykin laments the fact that “in far too many evangelical churches the fact that our God is a triune God is hardly mentioned from week to week” (p. 88). This overlooks a foundational claim of Christianity: “If God is not triune, we cannot be saved!” (p. 88).

The fifth chapter investigates Augustine’s articulation of the distinctive Christian view of history in the City of God. This chapter includes a helpful biographical sketch of Augustine, of whom Haykin says, “apart from the scriptural authors, no other figure had a greater impact on Christian life and thought up to the time of the Reformation” (p. 91). Augustine articulated his view of history in response to the cataclysmic fall of Rome while pagan blame was being cast upon the Christian movement. In a time of great uncertainty, Augustine reminded believers that they are a pilgrim people whose hopes do not rest in the success of a secular city. Haykin concludes that Christians of today facing “Islamic terrorism and the fear that has gripped the West since 11 September 2001, need to hear the same message” (p. 107).

The final chapter looks at the defense of missions in the life of Patrick of Ireland. Like Augustine, Patrick lived in the time when Rome was crumbling. Despite the uncertainty of the times he had a passion for evangelizing Ireland. Patrick’s “passion for mission in the midst of such difficult days is worthy of emulation by today’s church” (p. 122).

How are Christians of today to respond to the resurgence of paganism, attacks on the authority of Scripture, debate over the end times, doctrinal confusion as to the nature of God, political upheaval, and apathy in missions? Haykin wisely reminds us to look to the great heroes of the early church who faced these same challenges. He sends us back to learn from men like Irenaeus of Lyons, Athanasius of Alexandria, Basil of Caesarea, Augustine of Hippo, and Patrick of Ireland, and reminds us that we have passed this way before, endured, and, with God’s help, emerged victorious. It might be said of these heroes as it was of Abel that “through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4 NASB).

1Note the English spelling. Americans prefer defense. [return]

Jeffrey T. Riddle
Pastor, Jefferson Park Baptist Church

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Last Updated: Friday, June 13, 2008 11:22 PM