Southern Baptists are the nation's largest protestant denomination, with over 43,000 churches and millions of members. Since its inception, controversy has surrounded the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Southern Baptists' most recent confession of faith. The present volume consists of essays by Baptist scholars explaining and defending that document. Each of the 18 articles of the BF&M 2000 is addressed, with special attention to the most critical issues and changes from the denomination's 1963 confession. Also included is an appendix comprising the full text of all three Baptist Faith and Message statements from the 20th century (1925, 1963, and 2000), in side-by-side columns for easy reference and comparison. Contributors include Al Mohler, Paige Patterson, Tom Nettles, Dorothy Patterson, E. David Cook, and C. Ben Mitchell, with a foreword by Susie Hawkins. Brief yet comprehensive, detailed yet accessible to the non-specialist, this volume is a must read for Southern Baptist professors and students, staff and church members, and anyone interested in one of the most powerful religious forces in America.

Synopsis: Urban poverty in the developed world is an ever-present problem, and Christian approaches to poverty throughout history have much to teach us. The practice of almsgiving, which is the consistent practice of giving and sharing resources to meet the needs of the poor, is a sadly neglected part of this Christian heritage. This book explores the Christian lifestyle of almsgiving through the study of John Chrysostom. The sermons and writings of John Chrysostom (c.347-407 CE), pastor in Antioch and archbishop of Constantinople, contain perhaps the greatest concentration of teaching on almsgiving in all of Christian literature. John's teaching on almsgiving was both biblical and practical, and his ministry helped strengthen care for the poor throughout the Roman Empire of late antiquity. John preached his sermons to congregations filled with people who lived very comfortable lives. From his perspective, the churches of Antioch and Constantinople had grown complacent regarding poverty, when in fact God had called them to become a harbor for the poor. Endorsements: "Eric Costanzo presents a significantly new analysis of John Chrysostom's teachings on and approach to almsgiving, an aspect central to his theology. While new research on John Chrysostom and poverty has appeared in recent years, this is the first study focused specifically on almsgiving to appear since the brief and somewhat peculiar study published by Otto Plassmann." --From the Foreword by Wendy Mayer "Rich in both biblical and patristic reflection, this book is a call for evangelicals to reclaim the ancient Christian practice of almsgiving. The word sounds quaint these days, but Eric Costanzo challenges us to learn again a pattern of life and love that is central to following Jesus Christ. This is a book that admonishes as well as informs." --Timothy George, Founding Dean of Beeson Divinity School "Costanzo and Chrysostom remind us the poor are not our enemy. Instead, the poor are the agents through which we have the opportunity to embrace Christ's command to love 'the least of these.' John Chrysostom's words echo through history, and Costanzo has amplified them for the modern ear." --Deron Spoo, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma "Harbor for the Poor highlights the missional character of almsgiving in John Chrysostom's writings with theological sensitivity, ecclesial vision, and pastoral spirit." --Helen Rhee, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Westmont College Author Biography: Eric Costanzo, PhD, is an evangelical minister and professor from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Along with teaching, he directs a ministry to the homeless and under-resourced throughout the city.

Southern Baptists are the nation's largest protestant denomination, with over 43,000 churches and millions of members. Since its inception, controversy has surrounded the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Southern Baptists' most recent confession of faith. The present volume consists of essays by Baptist scholars explaining and defending that document. Each of the 18 articles of the BF&M 2000 is addressed, with special attention to the most critical issues and changes from the denomination's 1963 confession. Also included is an appendix comprising the full text of all three Baptist Faith and Message statements from the 20th century (1925, 1963, and 2000), in side-by-side columns for easy reference and comparison. Contributors include Al Mohler, Paige Patterson, Tom Nettles, Dorothy Patterson, E. David Cook, and C. Ben Mitchell, with a foreword by Susie Hawkins. Brief yet comprehensive, detailed yet accessible to the non-specialist, this volume is a must read for Southern Baptist professors and students, staff and church members, and anyone interested in one of the most powerful religious forces in America.