Eusebius
Eusebius was a pastor in Caesarea who lived approximately ca. 265 - ca. 39. Eusebius is considered to be the "father of church history." He may have been born in Israel and was educated in Caesarea. He worked with the founder of the school, Pamphilus. Pamphilus was killed around AD 309 and Eusebius took refuge in Tyre and then eventually he made his way to Egypt. He was actually jailed in Egypt for a brief period of time.
Around AD 315 he became the pastor of Caesarea where he served until he died. Eusebius was very active in the theological discussions of his day. He became an advisor to Constantine. Eusebius was a prolific writer. The reason that Eusebius is included in this A-Z challenge is due to his major contribution to the church. He wrote what is considered to be a classic history of Christianity equal to the works of Flavius Josephus, who wrote a history of the Jews. Eusebius records the events of the first three centuries of the Christian church in such a manner that resulted in the recording of a number of facts about the early Christian church that can not be known from any other source.
Euesibus goal was to record facts before they disappeared and before eyewitnesses were killed and libraries with Christian documents were burned or destroyed by the persecution of Rome. Eusibeus recorded the most important documents of his day giving us today a collection of data to study, consider, and interpret. Some of which can be verified and substantiated and some which cannot. It is a record we would not have had Eusebius not taken upon himself to serve as a historian and record for us these events.
9 comments:
Another great blog and another new name to remember. you are a mind of information.
Yvonne.
While I'm so happy Eusibeus was called to record this history of the Church and I'll probably add it to my library, I can't imagine I'll be cracking it open any time soon -- I like my history delivered with a heave dose of story mixed in, you know? Like you did so fantastically w/ Paul and Demas below. Poor Paul. It never feels good to become disillusioned with someone you once had such trust in. :(
Thanks for the excellent 'E' post and book recommendation. How glad I am for the people like Eusebius for thinking of the future generations of Christians who would no doubt want to know what early Christian life was like.
I'm adding it to my List, and hope to find it at my local bookstore. If not, I'll grab it online. Thanks, Gregg! Happy Wednesday! :o)
Thanks for the recommendation! I've heard of Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History, but I don't have a copy myself, So I'll have to add it to my wish list.
Thanks for the thorough review, Gregg. I have a copy that's not in updated language, and I've also heard there's a children's version, too. Your post is a good reminder to get this out and actually use it! :)
Ooh, that sounds like a great book! Thanks for the recommendation.
we are indeed lucky that Eusebius decided to write down those facts instead of just watching history fade away.
Another great history lesson and superb E post! I'll need to get the book. Thank you!
I think so often we think about what's recorded in the Bible and that's the whole story. You are reminding us that there is a whole other history that involves recording the Biblical record and getting to the readers who came afterward.
I'll be away for a few days to visit my sister in Phoenix. Her husband is severely afflicted with cancer and we felt that we should go to see them. Pray for them--Jack and Joni-- they will need plenty of prayer.
My Friday post is a brief one which introduces you and your blog. I hope it brings you some readers who will enjoy your message and be interested in hearing more.
Contrary to my usual practice of subscribing to comments, to save time during this early part of the challenge I will not be doing so at this time. If you want to respond to my comment, please email me directly from your email notification for the comment.
Thanks. And I truly appreciate your efforts.
Lee
Tossing It Out
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