Theology Pub Recap: Michael Haykin on the Church Fathers

We had our Toronto Theology Pub last night, and it may have been our best one yet. Michael Haykin spoke on rediscovering the Church Fathers. The Church Fathers have often been neglected, but we need them. Michael spoke on how we’re impoverished if we neglect to learn from the Fathers, and he spoke of some of the benefits he’s received from studying them:

• he’s been freed from the present
• he’s gained wisdom in his Christian walk
• he’s understood some New Testament passages better
• he’s learned piety

I was taking notes, but there’s lots that I missed. The Church Fathers can provide depth in places that evangelicalism needs it. This is true doctrinally, with issues like the Canon of Scripture and the Trinity. It’s also when it comes to piety. As well, they show us what true community looks like.

I’m really appreciate of Michael and his work. There are lots of applications to the church’s current condition in what he said.

Check out his book Rediscovering the Church Fathers: Who They Were and How They Shaped the Church

. He also mentioned Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction

by Bryan Litfin.

I’m looking forward to our next pub on November 28.