New Book on Early Christianity Strengthens Readers’ Biblical Knowledge, Faith, and Devotion

Dr. James Papandrea. Reading Scripture Like the Early Church. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022. Paperback $19.95. eBook $9.99. 224 pages. Available from the publisher.

Would you like to learn the truth about Jesus and the Bible from the early Christians? Let the Church Fathers share their scriptural insights with you.

In Reading Scripture Like the Early Church: Seven Insights from the Church Fathers to Help You Understand the Bible, Dr. James Papandrea—a former Protestant minister and revert to the Catholic faith—helps readers understand the Word of God with the first Christians.

Dr. Papandrea has a Ph.D. in the History and Theology of the Early Christian Church. He is a speaker, musician, and author of several books, including What Really Happens After We Die, From Star Wars to Superman, How Christianity Saved Civilization, Reading the Church Fathers: A History of the Early Church and the Development of Doctrine, available from Sophia Press.

Reviewers wrote of this work: “Very accessible and a great resource for the average person looking to grow in knowledge and love of Scripture.” “Well researched and helpful to defend our faith with select words from early Christians.” “This would be great for classes or small faith groups in addition to personal use.”

Chapters highlight the influences of early Church Fathers from Saints Athanasius and Justin Martyr to Vincent of Lerins, Irenaeus of Lyons, John Cassian, Ignatius of Antioch, and Augustine. You will discover what they meant by different interpretations of Scripture (and it’s probably not what you think!) Additionally, you will see why the Bible is reliable and how the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament.

You will find out what is meant by Scripture’s inspiration and the influence of both the Divine and human. Fascinatingly, you will also learn ways to interpret Scripture through the lens of the Church Fathers’ writings, as Dr. Papandrea illuminates:

• The historical and prophetic meanings of Scripture
• Biblical meanings for allegory, apocalyptic, and eschatology
• The ethical and theological senses of Scripture
• The importance of interpreting Scripture as a whole

These pages will lead you to an authentic love of the Word made flesh. Your fervor for the faith will deepen as you see the scriptural foundation for the sacraments, Catholic doctrines, and the structure of the Church.

“The Church fathers believed the Scriptures to be divinely inspired, which means that what is written in the Bible cannot mislead or deceive us,” noted Dr. Papandrea. “In fact, most of the Church fathers would say that everything is there for a reason. St. Basil of Caesarea was speaking for the consensus when he preached, ‘there is not a single useless syllable.’ The text of Scripture is infallible for teaching and living the faith.”

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of Reading Scripture Like the Early Church and/or to schedule an interview with the author.