Discussion Questions

David Bercot says the issue is not “early Christian writings versus Scripture,” but “their understanding of Scripture versus our understanding of Scripture.” How does this framing challenge the way modern Christians often defend their own interpretations of the Bible? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says the issue is not “early Christian writings against the Bible,” but “their view of the Bible against our view of the Bible.” How does this challenge the way Christians today defend their own Bible interpretations?

Bercot compares early Christian interpretation to looking at “the course of performance” of the original parties to a contract. What does this illustration suggest about God’s wisdom in preserving both Scripture and the witness of the early church? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says early Christian interpretation is like seeing how the first people in a contract actually followed it. What does this show about God’s wisdom in keeping both the Bible and the early church’s witness?

The chapter says the early Christians were serious students of Scripture and strongly believed in its inspiration and inerrancy. How should that affect the way Christians today evaluate early Christian beliefs that differ from their own? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The chapter says the early Christians studied the Bible deeply and believed it was inspired and without error. How should this affect how Christians today judge early Christian beliefs that differ from theirs?

Bercot notes that “virtually everything” the early Christians taught can still be found scattered among conservative Bible-believing groups, yet no single group holds all of their teachings. What does this suggest about the possibility that modern denominations may preserve some biblical truths while neglecting others? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says almost everything the early Christians taught can still be found in some conservative Bible-believing groups, but no one group holds it all. What might this show about how modern churches keep some biblical truths but miss others?

The chapter mentions the Anabaptists and German Baptist Brethren as groups that sought to recover primitive Christianity and suffered persecution from established churches. What does their example raise about obedience to Christ, separation from worldly power, and the cost of taking the Sermon on the Mount seriously? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The chapter mentions the Anabaptists and German Baptist Brethren, who tried to return to early Christianity and were persecuted by other churches. What does their example teach about obeying Christ, staying separate from worldly power, and taking the Sermon on the Mount seriously?

Bercot admits that only about half of his own beliefs matched those of the early church. What kind of humility, courage, or repentance might be required if a Christian discovers that long-held beliefs do not align with the earliest post-apostolic Christian witness? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says only about half of his own beliefs matched the early church. What humility, courage, or repentance might a Christian need if they find that their long-held beliefs do not match the earliest Christians after the apostles?

The chapter criticizes modern Christians for appealing to “historic Christianity” when arguing against cults, while dismissing early Christian testimony when it contradicts their own doctrines. In what ways might this double standard appear in modern evangelical discussions about grace, obedience, faith, assurance, or Christian freedom? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The chapter says modern Christians often quote “historic Christianity” against cults but ignore early Christian writings when they disagree with their own beliefs. How might this double standard show up in talks about grace, obedience, faith, assurance, or Christian freedom?

Bercot quotes Deuteronomy 25 about God hating differing weights and measures, then applies the principle to spiritual dishonesty. How should the character of God as just and truthful shape the way Christians handle historical evidence that is inconvenient to their theology? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot quotes Deuteronomy 25, where God hates unfair weights and measures, and applies it to spiritual dishonesty. How should God’s justice and truth shape the way Christians deal with historical evidence that challenges their theology?

The chapter argues that Christians should either honestly accept the historical value of the early Christian writings or stop quoting them altogether. What would change in apologetics, teaching, and denominational identity if churches applied that standard consistently? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The chapter says Christians should either honestly accept the value of early Christian writings or stop quoting them. What would change in apologetics, teaching, and church identity if churches followed this rule fairly?

Bercot ends by saying that even Christians who claim, “All I need is my Bible,” are already relying on the early Christians without knowing it. What assumptions about Scripture, tradition, and independence might this statement expose in contemporary Christian thinking? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says even Christians who say, “All I need is my Bible,” already depend on the early Christians without knowing it. What does this reveal about modern Christian ideas of the Bible, tradition, and independence?