John Chrysostom (Bitesize Biographies)
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Overview
John Chrysostom could perhaps be called an enigma of his day. He had neither desire for politics nor ambition for ecclesiastical advancement. He preferred to live the simple life of an ascetic and had no cravings for the fame, riches, or luxuries that came with life in the metropolitan cities of his day. However, in God’s great providence, he is now recognized as one of the doctors of the church. What has made him so revered and remembered?
In this short biography, Earl Blackburn examines the life and times of this great preacher who has left such a mark upon the Christian church to this day.
- Provides an enlightening look at the life of the “church doctor”
- Includes a timeline that provides a succinct overview
- Illustrates how God used John Chrysostom to further his kingdom
- The Times of the Man
- The Days of His Youth
- Monasticism and Ministerial Ordination
- Bishop of Constantinople
- Missions and Triumphs
- Treachery and Exile
- Preaching and Theology
- Lessons to Learn
Top Highlights
“Fashionable Christianity has always been the blight of biblical Christianity.” (Page 16)
“John was born, raised, converted and ordained under the plain-style teaching of the Antiochene discipline, and it fundamentally moulded his entire life and ministry.” (Page 23)
“It was then that he came to repentance and faith in Christ, and throughout the remainder of his life he would call Christianity the true philosophy.” (Page 28)
“You may kill us, but you will not destroy us. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church’” (Page 14)
“It was here that he endeavoured to memorize the entire Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. Little did John realize that this strenuous activity would prove to be the most profitable of all his ascetic practices.” (Page 35)
This is truly a charming, informative, and inspiring book. Blackburn, as an experienced pastor himself, has sought out those aspects of Chrysostom’s ministry that show the strengths—courage, humility, faithfulness, doctrinal integrity, confidence in the power of proclamation—that every pastor should covet, while pointing to the weaknesses and troubles endemic to the historical context of bishop John. I found not only the subject, but the style of presenting it, to be engaging and provocative of high thoughts.
—Tom J. Nettles, professor of church history, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
This biographical treatment, far from being a dry and aloof account of an obscure figure, is delightful and engaging. My old friend, Earl Blackburn, has succeeded in introducing and endearing me to my new friend, John Chrysostom.
—Arden Hodgins, pastor, Trinity Reformed Baptist Church, La Mirada, CA
- Title: John Chrysostom
- Author: Earl M. Blackburn
- Publisher: Evangelical Press
- Publication Date: 2012
- Pages: 127
Reviews
8 ratings
Trevor Curley
6/19/2024
John Chrysostom (Bitesize Biographies) by Earl M. Blackburn was a book of great readability when I picked it up (I read through the whole thing in a day). I had been looking for a good introduction onto the world and theology of the early church and found it here! This edition did a great job at explaining the different facets of John Chrysostom's personality, teaching, and morals. Blackburn is scathing with his description of Empress Eudoxia and Emperor Arcadius for good reason: they were doing little to keep the Eastern Roman empire orthodox to Scripture, indulging in lavishness, even the clergy! In many ways, like St. Anselm, John Chrysostom was as a doctor to the church through his position, preaching great homilies and leading the church unto repentance. I loved this book so much that I have even changed my profile to bear John Chrysostom's icon!
D. Tomkins
6/8/2024
A very interesting book on a godly servant of our Lord and His body (the church) on this earth. What I most liked was John's defense of the plain word of God, especially against those who wanted to make it fashionable. The trend in the church, as it is in the world, is to make things comfortable and entertaining, to be spectators rather than disciples (or crucificants [those about to be crucified]). The desire is to be entertained, not changed. The lessons are to enhance the prestige of the teacher/preacher and motivate (since that is a way to enhance one's prestige) not to move one closer to the cross in their own life. That was not John Chrysostom (Golden Tongue). He did not care about preaching about what his benefactors wanted to hear, but what he saw in the word and in the church. While the church already had some bad, if not deadly, habits - such as men over groups of churches and the ensuing power struggles, and a mixing of the secular government imposing its will on the church, John seemed to be most happy teaching a local group of congregants, the same as were the apostles. It was also a time before things became even more defunct in the church. Christians were still immersed in the waters of baptism to be clothed in Christ (Gal3:26-7); they understood that it was a call to their own personal cross [Mar8:34-8]; and the church still sang as a group encouraging and teaching one another without instruments or a choir [as the Orthodox church still does]. All in all, a delightful (and quick) read. Hopefully it will encourage one to seek out more of the teachings and preachings of John Chrysostom and seek the primitive church with the gospel (1Cor15:1-4) front and center, not the popular image of the church with all the accoutrements of the fashionistas. * I don't think you will find the word crucificants in a dictionary. I just made it up.
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