Revolution: The Story of the Early Church - The First Seventeen Years

In the preface or introduction author Gene Edwards suggest every Christian write their own history of the early church. And that is just what he did. This book should not be taken as an historical account of the book of Acts or early Christian history. It's a fictional novel based on Mr. Edwards belief of what the early church must have looked like. In reading the first four chapters I kept annotating the Biblical errors or clear personal license Mr. Edwards allowed himself in telling his version of the early church. It's a clever narrative and I can appreciate his creative effort to bring a certain vibrancy of detail to the embryonic church. And as a story it is an interesting exploration of what might have been.

Edwards takes incredibly liberty creating facts, historical, events, attitudes, and even specific daily actions. He does not cite sources, but states that things are "absolute fact." He claims that young men should not be involved in ministry because Stephen was not until 8 years after Pentecost. There is no evidence that this was true, and the stoning of Stephen is recognized by scholars as being much closer to Pentecost. The sheer authority Edwards claims to have is never backed up by facts. He claimed that the early Christians had no access to scripture; however the majority were Jewish in background meaning they had memorized the Torah and had heard the prophets many times. This book is dangerous if applied, and absurd if truly studied.

It gives us a supposing story, a what if kind of story but not exact. It makes sense because the story is as if it's covering the gaps between the times that the apostles weren't writing letters..It gives us a true early church setting, plot according to the scriptures..I'm half way through the book,..(nothing with the book)I know the 613 laws through Christ is the path, the law of death(sacrificing animals and our neighbors) was the only law took to the cross..Stay away from the temples that are called "churches" today... They're 501c.

I read this book about 10 years ago and the memory of it has not left my mind. Being a person ver particular about what I read, seeing that there are all manner of "voices" in the world, I found this book to be tremendously enriching.As a matter of fact, A boirrowed a friend of mine and he has refused to give it back to me. since it was a gift, I did not know how to get it back and was just snooping around looking for someting else when I discovered the book.Now if you really, really are interested in deeper understanding of the walk with Christ, please try and get this book together with a host of other books he has written. You will not regret it!!!!!!!

This is an excellent read! Perspective on Acts 1 thru 8, how many years the church developed and under who, and how? And how it spread form Jerusalem with such force that has never been matched since. Notice the form and function of the early church; without special buildings and worship services, clergy, etc, all of which is a modern day innovation and invention that has in large part replace the church you read of in the N.T. Very enlightening and helpful if your interested in returning to normal church.

WARNING!Don't read this book unless: * You have at least two uninterrupted hours because you won't put it down. Once started, you will want to finish it then and there. * You are willing to re-think your perceptions of the first church. The challenges,dilemas, and victories of the apostles and the first church fathers are brought to life in unexpected ways with fresh insight. * You are hungry for more of God and less of the ritual, formality, and dead, stale churchiness which passes for worship in too many of our churches in our generation.If you meet these three criteria, then you will blessed. Prepare to look at your church in a whole new way!

Seller was awesome; would definitely do business with them again. This book, while informative, was very repetitive. I felt like the author was speaking to me, and trying to get me to agree with him. I already bought the book--there's no need to make an argument to get me on your side.

Great review of the events of the Early Church. I first found this book many years ago in Africa and thoroughly enjoyed it then. After reading Edwards "Diary" series, I wanted to read this book again. So glad I found it. Well worth any effort to obtain and read!!

I am torn: 3 stars or 4 stars?I am giving Revolution by Gene Edwards 3 stars, because though I enjoyed Edwards wise insights, I found he took major liberties on Scripture.Near the beginning of the book, Edwards states that the first 3000 believers didn't study the Bible and that they most likely were all illiterate. Granted, they did not study like studies today, but we know from the Bible that they delved into Scripture. (Two examples: 2 Tim 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" and Acts 17:11 "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so"). I am pretty sure Jewish men needed to memorize the Torah, and the first 3000 believers were all Jewish, so I am sure they talked about Scripture and the connection to Christ quite a lot. A quote from Edwards in Revolution: "the idea of teaching the Scripture never entered their minds!" (pg 47) and "the apostles did not teach the Scripture" (pg 46). Instead the author claims they "experienced" Christ. Which is absolutely great, but to "experience" Christ, you need to know Scripture. Luke 24:27 says that Jesus spoke to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and "then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures."Another small example to illustrate: Edwards states that Ananias plan was to give only part of his salary, but that is not what the Bible says, Ananias sold his property and lied and only give half of what he sold it for to the Apostles. It's a little thing, but it's still false.There are a bunch of little things like that through out the book, so I opened Acts in the Bible and follow along noting the differences.Regardless of that, I did enjoy reading the book and I enjoyed reading Edwards insights to how church community should look like. He often stressed the importance of time: time with the Lord in prayer and time under a mentor to learn and grow as a mature Christian before spreading the Gospel. I also enjoyed how he explained how the Lord developed and called men to serve. The last chapter was brilliant on explaining that. So for those insights, I recommend the book.

Excellent read about the early church. It’s roots. It’s growth. A real page turner. The only negative i have is the authors insistence in pointing out the downfalls of the 20th, 21st century church. Not necessary.

I started to read this book, and although Edwards' thoughts about the early church were interesting, I realized what he was writing was more a product of his imagination than anything based on facts. I found I couldn't trust the rest of his writing because of that one flaw. I wouldn't recommend this to others.