In this volume noted Evangelical historians and theologians examine the charge of the supposed ""ahistorical nature of Evangelicalism"" and provide a critical, historical examination of the relationship between the Protestant evangelical heritage and the early church. In doing so, the contributors show the long and deeply historical rootedness of the Protestant Reformation and its Evangelical descendants, as well as underscoring some inherent difficulties such as the Mercersburg and Oxford movements. In the second part of the volume, the discussion moves forward, as evangelicals rediscover the early church-its writings, liturgy, catechesis, and worship-following the ""temporary amnesia"" of the earlier part of the twentieth century.
Most essays are accompanied by a substantial response prompting discussion or offering challenges and alternative readings of the issue at hand, thus allowing the reader to enter a conversation already in progress and engage the topic more fully. This bidirectional look-understanding the historical background on the one hand and looking forward to the future with concrete suggestions on the other-forms a more full-orbed argument for readers who want to understand the rich and deep relationship between Evangelicalism and the early church.

George Kalantzis is Professor of Theology and Director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies at Wheaton College. He is author and editor of a number of works, including Caesar and the Lamb: Early Christian Attitudes on War and Military Service.
David B. Capes is Senior Research Fellow and former Dean of Biblical & Theological Studies and Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College. His recent publications on Jesus in the New Testament include The Divine Christ: Paul, the Lord Jesus, and the Scriptures of Israel.
Ty Kieser is Guest Assistant Professor at Wheaton College. His research focuses on divine and human agency in christological operations and the theology of John Owen.