Monergism Books

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Description: The need for Christians to skilfully defend the faith against heresy and unbiblical distortions is as great in our day as ever. Each chapter of Defence of the Truth is a glance back in history at an incident in which a Christian leader from ancient times engaged in apologetics. Includes chapters on: Irenaeus of Lyons and the rebuttal of Gnosticism; Athanasius of Alexandria and the defence of the doctrine of the Trinity; Augustine and the Christian view of history; the defence of Christian "missions" by Patrick of Ireland; and even the famed but anonymous Letter to Diognetus

The apostle Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:15 — ‘In your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you’ — have an element of timelessness about them. The task of defending the Christian faith in the face of unbelief and open rejection of biblical truth and the Christian world view — sometimes called ‘apologetics’ — is a responsibility laid upon every generation of those who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

In six chapters this book looks at six incidents in which early Christian leaders had to engage in apologetics. In every case there is much to learn from the arguments used and the ways of seeking to win those opposed to the truth.

"This is a remarkable book, for within the limits of one hundred and thirty pages the author has included such a diverse sample of theology. The importance of proclaiming the true knowledge of God is emphasised, not only in evangelism but also in the instruction of believers. Beginning with the Letter to Diognetus and then summarising the writings of Irenaeus against Gnosticism, he passes by way of the millennium controversies among the Greek Fathers to the great work of formulating Trinitarian doctrine by Athanasius, Augustine and Basil of Caesarea. He adds a chapter on Patrick of Ireland and the missionary zeal of the kidnapped slave who escaped and returned to evangelise his captors. The necessity for sound biblical doctrine is shown in the way in which the doctrine of the Trinity interacts with those of the Incarnation and the Atonement. The problems of presenting a Christian view of history in a time when civilisation was in decline are reflected in Augustine’s great work, The City of God. We thoroughly recommend this book to those who are beginning the study of Christian doctrine and we are sure that mature Christians will find it a delight and pleasure."

Rev. Dr. Edgar Dowse
The English Churchman

Defense of the Truth is a survey of six key controversies from several diverse eras in church history. Haykin shows why these controversies (and especially the polemical fortitude of the key figures who fought for the truth) are instructive for us today... Every chapter in Haykin's book is a profitable read. My favorites were the excellent chapters about Irenaeus and gnosticism, Augustine and church history, and St. Patrick and missions... I loved the book. In a generation when Christians seem to think everything novel is automatically better, it is refreshing to read the work of someone who knows and appreciates the history of doctrine and who knows and cares about where the church has already been. I hope Haykin lives long and keeps writing.

- Phil Johnson
Pyromaniac

Michael Haykin is Principal of Toronto Baptist Seminary in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and a Senior Fellow of the Jonathan Edwards Centre for Reformed Spirituality. He also serves as Adjunct Professor of Church History at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He obtained his doctorate at the University of Toronto. He is the editor of Eusebeia: the Bulletin of the Jonathan Edwards Centre for Reformed Spirituality. He is also the author of One Heart and One Soul: John Sutcliff of Olney his friends and his times. He is married with two children.