Will Not Return Void

“Numerous studies in patristics have focused on the beliefs about the nature and authority of Scripture among the church fathers. Dr. Dearing has built on that research by demonstrating how the Greek church fathers used Scripture, specifically for evangelistic purposes. Carefully researched, clearly written—this work will help the reader understand the rapid spread of the gospel message in the early centuries of Christendom. I heartily endorse this book.”


—Timothy K. Beougher, Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary





“Studies of the evangelization of the Roman Empire usually are restricted in time and space. They usually conclude with the political triumph of Christianity in the late fourth century and encompass only the literary and material witness from the world of the Mediterranean. This fresh study by Dr. Dearing, which is focused on the key role played by the Word of God in the evangelistic outreach of the Greek patristic tradition, is not so limited. It takes into consideration not only key early figures like Justin Martyr and Origen, but also Chrysostom—a vibrant witness in the era immediately after trinitarian Christianity was declared the only legal religion of the Roman Imperium—and John of Damascus in the very different world of the Muslim-dominated Middle East. A very helpful study of this tradition of evangelism and the way that Scripture was absolutely central to it.”


—Michael A. G. Haykin, Chair and Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary