T topics
279 topics from this section.
The Flesh And The Spirit
Early Christian writers usually taught that the flesh and the Spirit are in conflict, but they did not treat the flesh as evil ...
Early Christian topicThe Foreknowledge Of God And Free Will
Early Christian writers taught both that God knows things ahead of time and that people still make real choices. Justin Martyr,...
Early Christian topicThe Gifts Of The Spirit
Early Christian writings teach that the gifts of the Spirit were real, varied, and given by the one Holy Spirit for the church’...
Early Christian topicThe Gospel According To The Hebrews
Early Christian writers linked the Gospel according to the Hebrews to Jewish-Christian circles and, in Clement and Papias, pres...
Early Christian topicThe Gospel Of John
The early Christians treated the Gospel of John as a real apostolic Gospel and used it to teach that Jesus is the eternal Word ...
Early Christian topicThe Gospel Of Mark
Early Christian writers taught that Mark wrote the Gospel as Peter’s interpreter and that the book carried Peter’s preaching in...
Early Christian topicThe Gospels And Apostolic Witness
Early Christian writers taught that the Gospels came from apostolic witness and should be received as a trusted record of Chris...
Early Christian topicThe Great Commission And Evangelism
Early Christians taught that Jesus sent his followers to preach the gospel to all nations, baptize them, and keep teaching them...
Early Christian topicThe Great Harlot
Early Christian writers mainly used the Great Harlot of Revelation as a picture of a proud, corrupt city that seduces rulers an...
Early Christian topicThe Great Mother
Early Christian writers mostly used the Great Mother as an example of pagan religion, not as a Christian figure to follow. Just...
Early Christian topicThe Great Tribulation And The Last Days
Early Christian writings taught that the last days would include a time of great tribulation, deception, persecution, and signs...
Early Christian topicThe Greek Language And Scripture
Early Christian writers taught that the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek, especially in the Septuagint tradition, a...
Early Christian topicThe Greeks And Pagan Wisdom
Early Christian writers usually treated Greek philosophy as limited, mixed, or false when it tried to stand against Christ, but...
Early Christian topicThe Gymnasium And Pagan Culture
Early Christian writers generally warned believers to stay away from pagan culture, including public shows, idol worship, and t...
Early Christian topicThe Harmony Of The Gospels
Early Christians taught that the four Gospels belong together and do not contradict each other in the faith. Irenaeus strongly ...
Torrey topicThe Hart
The Hart gathers 18 Scripture references and 4 study links for studying this topic with the THF Bible reader, cross-references,...
Early Christian topicThe Hebrew Language
Early Christian writers usually treated Hebrew as the language tied to the Jews, their fathers, and their Scriptures. Irenaeus,...
Early Christian topicThe Hexapla And Biblical Texts
Early Christian writers do not talk about the Hexapla often by name in this set, but they do give a clear answer about biblical...
Early Christian topicThe Holy Kiss
Early Christian writings treat the holy kiss as a real church practice tied to peace, love, and worship, not just a polite gree...
Early Christian topicThe Holy Spirit
Early Christian writings teach that the Holy Spirit is the promised Comforter who teaches, guides, gives understanding, and com...
Early Christian topicThe Holy Spirit And The Church
Early Christian writers taught that the Holy Spirit truly works in the Church, gives life, teaches believers, and is received i...
Early Christian topicThe Human Spirit And The Soul
Early Christians usually taught that a person is more than a body: human beings have a soul and a spirit, and many writers trea...
Early Christian topicThe Humanity Of Christ
Early Christian teaching was clear: Jesus Christ was truly human, born of Mary, came in the flesh, and lived in a real body. Ig...
Early Christian topicThe Hundred And Forty-Four Thousand
Early Christian writers did not leave one single settled reading of the hundred and forty-four thousand. Origen clearly treats ...
Early Christian topicThe Hypostatic Union
Early Christians did teach that Jesus Christ is one person who is fully divine and fully human, and they often said this by quo...
Early Christian topicThe Impassibility Of God
Early Christian writers taught that God is not changeable, not ruled by human passions, and not subject to suffering or pain in...
Early Christian topicThe Incarnation
Early Christian writings clearly teach that Jesus Christ is the Word who became flesh, truly born of the Virgin Mary, yet still...
Early Christian topicThe Inner Man
Early Christian writers usually treated the inner man as the soul, mind, or inward life that can be renewed by God, while the o...
Early Christian topicThe Intercession Of Saints
Early Christian writings do support asking saints for prayers and speaking of the saints as alive with God, but they do not giv...
Early Christian topicThe Intermediate State
Early Christian writers commonly taught that the dead go to an intermediate place before the final resurrection and judgment. I...
Early Christian topicThe Intermediate State Of The Dead
Early Christian writers often taught that the dead continue in a real, conscious intermediate state before the final resurrecti...
Early Christian topicThe Israel Of God
Early Christian writers often read "the Israel of God" as the people who belong to Christ by faith, not as flesh-only Israel. J...
Early Christian topicThe Jewish Temple And Christian Worship
Early Christians taught that God was not limited to the Jerusalem temple, and that Christian worship belonged to the church and...
Early Christian topicThe Keys Of The Kingdom And Church Authority
Early Christian writers tied the keys of the kingdom to Peter and also used that saying to explain church authority, especially...
Early Christian topicThe Kingdom Of God
Early Christian writers taught that the kingdom of God is real, near, and tied to Christ’s rule, not just to words. Justin Mart...
Early Christian topicThe Laity And The Clergy
Early Christian writings present a clear church order with bishops, presbyters, deacons, and the laity in distinct roles, and t...
Early Christian topicThe Lake Of Fire And Final Judgment
Early Christians widely taught that the wicked face a final judgment that ends in everlasting fire, the lake of fire, or the se...
Early Christian topicThe Lapsed And Church Discipline
Early Christian writings teach both discipline for the lapsed and a real path back for those who truly repent. Hermas, Ignatius...
Early Christian topicThe Last Days
Early Christian writers taught that the last days were already beginning in their own time, and that they would bring false tea...
Early Christian topicThe Last Judgment
Early Christians taught that a final judgment was coming, and they tied it to Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, an...
Early Christian topicThe Logos
Early Christian writings usually teach that the Logos is God’s Word and Wisdom, that He was with the Father before creation, ma...
Early Christian topicThe Lord's Day
Early Christian writings treat the Lord’s Day as the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection, and a regular day...
Early Christian topicThe Lord's Prayer
Early Christians treated the Lord’s Prayer as the Lord’s own model prayer and prayed it as a real pattern, not just a text to q...
Early Christian topicThe Lord's Supper
Early Christian writers taught that the Lord's Supper was a real church meal of bread and the cup, done in remembrance of Jesus...
Early Christian topicThe Lordship Of Christ
The early Christian writings teach that Jesus is Lord, and they often connect that lordship to his kingly rule, divine authorit...
Early Christian topicThe Love Feast And Christian Fellowship
Early Christian writings treat the love feast as a real shared meal marked by love, order, and care for the poor, not as a wild...
Early Christian topicThe Maccabees And Martyrdom
Early Christian writers clearly treated the Maccabean martyrs as real examples of courage, faith, and endurance under torture. ...
Torrey topicThe Macedonian Empire
The Macedonian Empire gathers 16 Scripture references and 4 study links for studying this topic with the THF Bible reader, cros...
Early Christian topicThe Magi And The Birth Of Christ
Early Christians commonly taught that the Magi came from the east, saw the star, went to Bethlehem, worshiped Christ, and broug...
Early Christian topicThe Mass And The Eucharist
Early Christian writers taught that the Eucharist was not ordinary bread and wine, but a holy meal tied to Christ’s body and bl...
Early Christian topicThe Millennium
Many early Christian writers taught a future thousand-year reign of Christ, often tied to Revelation 20 and to the hope that th...
Early Christian topicThe Montanists And Prophecy
Early Christian writers often treated the Montanists as a false prophecy movement that claimed too much for its leaders and pus...
Early Christian topicThe Mosaic Law
Early Christian writers mostly treated the Mosaic Law as real and God-given, but said it was given for a time and was fulfilled...
Early Christian topicThe Muratorian Fragment
The Muratorian Fragment gathers 35 Scripture references and 4 study links for studying this topic with the THF Bible reader, cr...
Early Christian topicThe Name Christian
Early Christian writings usually tie the name Christian to Christ, not just to a label. Justin Martyr, Theophilus of Antioch, T...
Early Christian topicThe Name Of God
Early Christian writers often said God’s name is holy, great, and not to be treated lightly. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement o...
Early Christian topicThe Nativity Of Jesus
Early Christians strongly taught that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit and that his birth was a real human ...
Early Christian topicThe Nature Of God
Early Christian writers usually described God as one, eternal, uncreated, spiritual, and beyond bodily form. Writers like Arist...
Early Christian topicThe Necessity Of Baptism
Early Christian writers widely taught that baptism is tied to forgiveness, new birth, and salvation. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, T...
Early Christian topicThe New Birth
Early Christians taught that the new birth is real spiritual rebirth, and many tied it to baptism and the work of the Holy Spir...
Early Christian topicThe New Covenant In Christ
Early Christians taught that the new covenant came through Christ, fulfilled the promises made through Jeremiah and the prophet...
Early Christian topicThe New Jerusalem And Christian Hope
Early Christians taught that the New Jerusalem is a real future city from God, tied to resurrection, final renewal, and the hop...
Early Christian topicThe New Testament Canon
Early Christians treated the New Testament as the apostolic writings of the church, not as a later human collection. Justin Mar...
Early Christian topicThe Nicolaitans And Early Heresy
Early Christian writers treated the Nicolaitans as a real false teaching tied to sexual immorality and eating food offered to i...
Torrey topicThe Oak Tree
The Oak Tree gathers 16 Scripture references and 4 study links for studying this topic with the THF Bible reader, cross-referen...
Early Christian topicThe Occult And Demonic Powers
Early Christian writers consistently taught that magic, sorcery, divination, and idol worship were tied to demons and must be a...
Early Christian topicThe Old Testament Canon
Early Christians treated the Old Testament as Scripture, as the books of Moses and the Prophets, and they used it to prove Chri...
Early Christian topicThe Olympics And Pagan Games
Early Christian writers mostly treated the Olympics and other pagan games as false worship and a moral danger. Clement of Alexa...
Early Christian topicThe Omnipresence Of God And Divine Nature
Early Christian writings teach that God is everywhere present, not limited to one place, and that his divine nature is beyond b...
Early Christian topicThe Omniscience Of God And Foreknowledge
Early Christian writers clearly taught that God knows all things beforehand, including human hearts, future events, and the end...
Early Christian topicThe Only Begotten Son And The Word Of God
Early Christians usually taught that Jesus is the Word of God and the only begotten Son, and they linked that belief to John 1 ...
Early Christian topicThe Ophites And Gnostic Heresy
Early Christian writers treated the Ophites and related Gnostic groups as heretical sects, not as part of the church. Hippolytu...
Early Christian topicThe Oracle Of Delphi
Early Christians usually treated the oracle of Delphi as false or demonic, not as a trustworthy voice from God. Clement of Alex...
Early Christian topicThe Order Of Virgins
Early Christian writings treat virgins as a real and honored group in the church, not just a symbol. Ignatius greets the compan...
Early Christian topicThe Order Of Widows
Early Christian writers treated the order of widows as a real church role, not just a general term for bereaved women. Ignatius...
Early Christian topicThe Organ And Musical Instruments In Worship
Early Christian writers often treated musical instruments as real parts of Bible worship, especially in David and temple passag...
Early Christian topicThe Origin Of Writing
Early Christian writers clearly taught that God and the prophets used writing, but these cards do not give enough direct eviden...
Early Christian topicThe Papacy And The Bishop Of Rome
Early Christian writers clearly taught that Rome had an important place and that bishops were real, ordered leaders in the chur...
Early Christian topicThe Parable Of The Talents
Early Christian writers taught that the Parable of the Talents is about faithful work, real growth, and final judgment. Tatian,...
Early Christian topicThe Parables Of Jesus
Early Christian writers said Jesus really used parables and that He often explained them to His disciples in private. Matthew, ...
Early Christian topicThe Paraclete And The Holy Spirit
Early Christian writers usually identified the Paraclete with the Holy Spirit, and many tied him directly to Jesus' promise in ...
Early Christian topicThe Parousia And Christ's Return
Early Christian writers taught that Christ will return visibly from heaven, judge all people, reward each person, and raise the...
Early Christian topicThe Paschal Controversy And Easter
Early Christian writings do not present a single Easter date in the same way everywhere, but they clearly show a strong push to...
Early Christian topicThe Paten And The Eucharist
Early Christian writers taught that the Eucharist was a holy offering of bread and cup, not ordinary food, and they often linke...
Early Christian topicThe Patriarchs And The Promises Of God
Early Christian writers taught that God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were real, lasting, and fulfilled in Christ. Ju...
Early Christian topicThe Pearl Of Great Price
Early Christian writings do use the pearl of great price as a real teaching image, but they do not give one single fixed meanin...
Early Christian topicThe Pedagogue And Christian Instruction
Early Christian writers taught that Christian instruction is a real part of discipleship: Jesus is the true Instructor, pastors...
Early Christian topicThe Pentateuch And The Law
Early Christians taught that the Pentateuch was Moses’ law, given by God and written down for Israel. Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hip...
Early Christian topicThe Perpetual Virginity Of Mary
Early Christians clearly taught that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, and writers like Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Ori...
Early Christian topicThe Pharisees And Hypocrisy
Early Christian writers strongly linked the Pharisees with hypocrisy, outward religion, and teaching that hid a wrong heart. Ju...
Early Christian topicThe Phoenix And Resurrection Imagery
Early Christian writers often used the phoenix as a picture of resurrection, but they did not treat it as the main proof for re...
Early Christian topicThe Plan Of God In Salvation History
Early Christian writers taught that God had a set plan for salvation history, and that this plan came to its center in Jesus Ch...
Early Christian topicThe Pool Of Bethesda
Early Christian writers treated the pool of Bethesda as a real place in Jerusalem and repeated the Gospel story of the crippled...
Early Christian topicThe Pool Of Bethsaida And Healing
Early Christian writers did connect the pool at Bethesda with Jesus’ healing of the paralytic, and John 5 was the main Bible pa...
Early Christian topicThe Poor In Spirit And The Beatitudes
Early Christians taught that the "poor in spirit" were the humble, lowly, and those who did not trust in pride or wealth. Cleme...
Early Christian topicThe Pope
Early Christian writings give strong support for the bishop’s role in local church order, but they do not give a single clear p...