How did Christian mission happen in the early church from AD 100 to 750? Beginning with a brief look at the social, political, cultural, and religious contexts, Mission in the Early Church tells the story of early Christian missionaries, their methods, and their missiology. Edward L. Smither explores some of the most prominent themes of mission in early Christianity, including suffering, evangelism, Bible translation, contextualization, ministry in Word and deed, and the church. Based on this survey, modern readers are invited to a conversation that considers how early Christian mission might inform global mission thought and practice today.

Constantine's life - his career, faith and relationship to the church - raises questions for Christians and for historians that cannot be ignored. Scholars continue to be intrigued with Constantine the man, the influence he wielded over the church and the paradigm that he introduced for church-state relations. Seventeen hundred years after Constantine's victory at Milvian Bridge, Rethinking Constantine reinvigorates the conversation and examines the historical sources that inform our picture of Constantine, the theological developments that occurred in the wake of his rise to power and the aspects of Constantine's legacy that have shaped church history. Rethinking Constantine reassesses our picture of Constantine through careful historical enquiry within the scope of the early Christian period.

A deeper understanding of the grand history of mission leads to a faithful expression of God's mission today. From the beginning, God's mission has been carried out by people sent around the world. From Abraham to Jesus, the thread that weaves its way throughout Scripture is a God who sends his people across the world, proclaiming his kingdom. As the world has evolved, Christian mission continues to be a foundational tradition in the church. In this one-volume textbook, Edward Smither weaves together a comprehensive history of Christian mission, from the apostles to the modern church. In each era, he focuses on the people sent by God to the ends of the earth, while also describing the cultural context they encountered. Smither highlights the continuity and development across thousands of years of global mission.

Description: What happens to the church when the emperor becomes a Christian? Seventeen hundred years after Constantine's victory at Milvian Bridge, scholars and students of history continue to debate the life and impact of the Roman emperor who converted to faith in the Christian God and gave peace to the church. This book joins that conversation and examines afresh the historical sources that inform our picture of Constantine, the theological developments that occurred in the wake of his rise to power, and aspects of Constantine's legacy that have shaped church history.

Description: How did Christian missions happen in the early church from AD 100 to 750? Beginning with a brief look at the social, political, cultural, and religious contexts, Mission in the Early Church tells the story of early Christian missionaries, their methods, and their missiology. This book explores some of the most prominent themes of mission in early Christianity, including suffering, evangelism, Bible translation, contextualization, ministry in Word and deed, and the church. Based on this survey, modern readers are invited to a conversation that considers how early Christian mission might inform global mission thought and practice today.

Synopsis: "From a mission field to a missions sender." These words capture the story of the Brazilian evangelical church, which has gone from receiving missionaries in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to becoming a movement that presently sends out more global laborers than the churches of England or Canada do. After narrating Brazil's missional shift, in this volume Smither addresses one fascinating element of the story--Brazilian evangelical efforts in the Arab world. How have Brazilians adapted culturally among Arabs, how have they approached ministry, and how have they cultivated a theology of mission in the process? Brazilian Evangelical Missions in the Arab World gives the reader insights from one emerging missions movement with an eye toward a more comprehensive view of the global church. Endorsements: "Once a mission field, Brazil has become a mission force. Once a mission force, the Arab world has become a mission field. In this book, Smither narrates this compelling story of Brazilian missions in the Arab world based on well-documented facts, extensive research, and first-hand experience." --Luis Bush, International Facilitator of Transform World Connections "I do not know of any other work which has simultaneously portrayed the Brazilian ecclesiastical and missional context so well, emphasizing our positive and negative points. If one wants to understand what the Brazilian mission movement is all about, one should read this book." --Silas Tostes, Director of Missao Antioquia "The present study is of immense importance to missionary work among Arab Muslims. Its unique contribution derives from the fact that it is original, up-to-date, and thorough in its analysis of historical data and field research. The result of Smither's work should be carefully understood and applied by mission leaders--both from Brazil and from other parts of the world--as strategies to impact the Arab-Muslim world." --Robson Ramos, Brazilian missiologist "Smither is distinctly qualified to address the issue of Brazilian missionaries working in the Arab world. In addition to having worked for fourteen years among Arabs, he is a gifted and accomplished missiologist and researcher with a passion for Brazil . . . This] is required reading for anyone who is concerned about seeing the name of Christ declared among all nations." --Joao Mordomo, Director of CCI-Brasil "This book has surprised me for its historical accuracy and its well-done research among Brazilians in the Arab context. This book comes at a time when Brazilians are becoming a key part of the evangelization of the world, in particular the Arab world." --Odijon Ribeiro, former Brazilian missionary in the Arab world Author Biography: Edward Smither is Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies and Church History at Liberty University. He is the author of Augustine as Mentor (2008).

Description: Along with the churches located in large Greek cities of the East, the church of Carthage was particularly significant in the early centuries of Christian history. Initially, the Carthaginian church became known for its martyrs. Later, the North African church became further established and unified through the regular councils of its bishops. Finally, the church gained a reputation for its outstanding leaders--Tertullian of Carthage (c. 140-220), Cyprian of Carthage (195-258), and Augustine of Hippo (354-430)--African leaders who continued to be celebrated and remembered today. Endorsements: ""Martyrs, exegetes, catechumens, and councils enlarge this study of North African Christianity, a region often reduced to its dominant patristic personalities. Smither provides English readers a quality translation of an important book that captures the unique spirit of an invaluable chapter of church history."" --W. Brian Shelton, Toccoa Falls College ""Not only does Decret relay social history in a compelling style, he demonstrates political sophistication, theological subtlety, and ecclesiastical sensitivity toward Catholic, heretic, and pagan alike. In sum, this book is both a faithful rendering of history and a great read."" --Malcolm B. Yarnell III, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ""I am grateful for Ed's work, which is a timely contribution on the continuing and increasing scholarship on the foundational place of early African classical Christianity. Though it was a Christianity befallen with shortcomings and challenges, without it the European churches and the global church would not be what they are today."" --Jones Kaleli, Liberty University ""Decret and Smither have recognized our dependence on North African] theologians and given us a thorough and well-presented introduction to that theology. They not only take the reader into that oft-ignored area, but they show why it is so important to appreciate that period."" --Thomas O'Loughlin, University of Wales Lampeter. ""Decret's study masterfully captures the feel and essence of early North African Christianity without sacrificing historical detail or evidence . . . Overall, the work presents not just excellent information, but also a wonderful model of historical argumentation and scholarship."" --David C. Alexander, Liberty Theological Seminary & Graduate School ""For over ten years Christians of the French-speaking world have had available to them Francois Decret's scholarly presentation of the roots, diverse history, expansion, and significant influence of the Christian Church in North Africa . . . And now at last Professor Ed Smither--church historian, theologian, and missiologist--has done the English speaking church an exceedingly great service by making this widely honored work available in English."" --John Douglas Morrison, Liberty University About the Contributor(s): Francois Decret holds a PhD in History and is a recognized authority on early Christianity in North Africa. He has taught at the Universities of Oran (Algeria), Lyon (France), Antilles-Guyane (Caribbean), and the University of Latran (Rome). Edward Smither holds a PhD in Historical Theology from the University of Wales-Lampeter (UK). He has taught at the University of Tunis (Tunisia) and presently teaches at Liberty Theological Seminary.