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Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up: A New Look at Today's Evangelical Church in the Light of Early Christianity [Paperback]

David W. Bercot
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)

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Book Description

February 1989
A challenging look at today's evangelical church in the light of the early Christians.

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Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up: A New Look at Today's Evangelical Church in the Light of Early Christianity + The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down + Will the Theologians Please Sit Down
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Early Christianity was a revolution that swept through the ancient world like fire through dry timber," challenging traditional customs and institutions. The author contends that the early Church's stance toward society should concern us deeply, as we face many similar burning issues: divorce, abortion, entertainment, war, economic injustice, and the role of men/women.

Bercot, who is also a lawyer, takes the reader on a very stimulating journey in which we meet Polycarp (who was personally discipled by the apostle John) and other second-century witnesses. -- The Plough, April, 1990

Perhaps the single most important thing the book did for me was to introduce me in an unforgettable way to the early Christian writings. ...However, the author, David Bercot, does more than introduce the reader to the early Christians and their writings he advances a powerful and persuasive argument as to why we should take the early Christians and their writings seriously. This argument is basically similar to saying that the further upstream you go, the purer the waters should be. He makes a convincing case that these early Christian writers were in the best possible position to interpret and understand what the inspired writers had in mind when they wrote the New Testament. After all, some of these early Christian leaders were co-workers with the apostles and knew them personally. It is logical that they had a real advantage over us who read the Bible after nearly 2,000 years. -- Family Life, October, 1989

To say this book packs a jolt is an understatement. Bercot doesn't point fingers; he just tells it like it is, and no book other than Snyder's The Problem of Wineskins has affected my thinking of the church more than this one. This book has my highest recommendations. -- The Obligator, August, 1989

We've heard it all before. The church's decline began when Constantine named Christianity the religion of the Roman Empire. David Bercot recounts all this and more. He is deeply concerned with the church's lack of spirituality. He is upset that the church has adopted worldly standards of success rapid growth and wealth. He is right in feeling and expressing these concerns. And he expresses them well. -- Bookstore Journal, November, 1989

From the Back Cover

Sex and money scandals. An exploding divorce ate. Drug-addicted youths. And an ever-growing worldliness. Today's church is fighting battles on all fronts. And we seem to be losing these battles to the relentlessly encroaching world. Perhaps the answers to our problems are not in the present, but in the past. Because there was a time when the church was able to stand up to the world. The author takes you on an engrossing journey back to that time back to the beginning of the second century. Here is an inspiring account of what Christians believed and practiced at the close of the age of the apostles and how the church eventually lost the Christianity of that time.

But this is not primarily a history book. It's a fresh, creative look at the problems facing the church today and the solution to those problems. It's a call for today's church to return to the simple holiness, unfailing love, and patient cross-bearing of the early Christians.

Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up combines sound scholarship with a free-flowing, readable style designed for contemporary laypersons. If you're looking for superficial solutions to today's problems or a restatement of traditional answers, you will need to look elsewhere. This provocative book confronts traditional answers and challenges you to a deeper walk with God the walk of the early Christians.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 190 pages
  • Publisher: Scroll Pub Co; Third edition dated 1999 edition (February 1989)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0924722002
  • ISBN-13: 978-0924722004
  • Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 8.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1985, David Bercot was a successful attorney, practicing title law for the largest public utility in the state of Texas. The thought of ever becoming an author was the farthest thing from his mind. Nevertheless, despite being a career lawyer, Bercot's passion in life was Christ--not law. At the time, he was a member of a conservative evangelical church.

Although he enjoyed the fellowship at the church he was attending, it seemed to Bercot that some of the doctrines popularly taught by evangelicals--such as unconditional eternal security and their endorsement of war--contradicted the plain words of Scripture. When he questioned various ministers about these matters, he was told that the evangelical teaching on these doctrines was the "historical faith." Bercot certainly didn't want to put his own personal interpretations over the historical faith. Yet, he wasn't going to just take other people's word for it that these doctrines were truly the historical faith.

Bercot realized that the only way he could verify the historical faith was to read all of the existing writings of the early Christians who lived within a century or two after the apostles. So he purchased a set of the Ante-Nicene Fathers (which contain nearly all of the existing writings from Christians who wrote prior to the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325.) During 1985, he cut back his law practice as needed to devote the whole year to reading these ancient writings. These early Christian writings confirmed Bercot's views on eternal security and war. However, he was surprised to learn that most of the early Christian beliefs were different from his own beliefs--not only on theology but on lifestyle as well. Yet, when he went back and read the New Testament again, he realized that everything they taught was right there in the New Testament. But his preconceptions had blinded him to the plain language of Scripture.

Bercot immediately began sharing what he had discovered about the historical faith with various Christian friends. Soon these friends encouraged him to write a book about what he had discovered and how Christianity looked when it was still young. Bercot eventually followed up on their suggestion, and he wrote the book, "Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up," which was published in 1989. That book contrasts early Christianity with modern Christianity.

Since then, Bercot has written a number of other books pertaining to early Christianity and committed Christian discipleship. He purposefully writes in a reader-friendly, conversational style, eschewing a more academic approach. As he said at one conference, "Scholars have had all of this information for centuries, and they have essentially done nothing with it. My goal is to get this information across to the average man or woman in the pews."

Bercot married Deborah Hart Darragh in 1972. They have three children and make their home in the Amberson Valley in Pennsylvania. On his personal website, www.davidbercot.com, Bercot has posted pictures of the beautiful Amberson Valley.


Customer Reviews

Good book, very thought provoking. J. Kern  |  13 reviewers made a similar statement
If the passage does not support his thesis, he ignores it. R. A. Baker  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
64 of 72 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A valid assessment of American Evangelicalism October 17, 2003
Format:Paperback
Seldom has a book challenged my views as much as Mr. Bercot's work has done. David Bercot is an individual qualified to assess exactly just what the Early Christian community taught and believed. Not only is he a lawyer, but he also has a Master of Divinity degree and is an accredited member of the National Patristics Society. What impressed me most about this work was the standard that Mr. Bercot employed to determine if a teaching was truly Apostolic in origin and a valid belief of the Christian community. If a teaching was not held by several Fathers of the same time period from different geographical locations, then that teaching would not be included in the book.

What really convicted me was how different my brand of Christianity is from that of the earliest followers of the Apostles and their Spiritual descendants. For instance, Bercot notes how the Early Church believed that Jesus' teachings in the Synoptic gospels were literal. Sure, they understood that Jesus wasn't commanding us to literally pluck out our eyes, but many parts of Jesus' teaching that they understood literally, todays Christian community has watered down or spiritualized to accomodate our 21st century mentality. For example, how many believe that Jesus really wanted us to sell everything that we own and follow Him? I know of no church that teaches such a doctrine and if one were to teach this they would probably be regarded as strange, bizarre and out of their mind. Yet, this is exactly how the Early Church understood Jesus' message and this is what compelled Cyprian, the great 3rd century bishop of Carthage, to liquidate his vast fortune and follow Jesus with everything that he had....

Another aspect of this book that convicted me was Bercot's explanation of the Early Christians' view of entertainment. I felt extremely uneasy when I read what Bercot had to say because I knew I was guilty of such practices. I realized I needed to exercise more caution and discretion in deciding what was acceptable to view because such material can and does have an impact on my spiritual well-being. Furthermore, Bercot's treatment of how the Early Christians viewed baptism should serve as a valuable wake up call to most of Christendom that has substituted man made inventions in place of the biblical practice of the early Christian community.

One thing about this book, it will not be liked by those of the Reformed persuasion. Bercot takes serious issue with Martin Luther and Augustine and disagrees with the Reformation doctrine of Sola Fide. Disagree with him all you like, he proves his point by showing that the Early Church insisted that obedience and a life of holiness were necessary for salvation. Moreover, Bercot disagrees with the doctrine of predestination believing that such a teaching has more in common with Gnosticism than with Apostolic Christianity. Again, disagree with him all you want, but Bercot clearly demonstrates that the Christians of the 2nd and 3rd centuries did not believe in unconditional election, but upheld the idea of free will. For those who argue that the ancient concept of fate and Augustinian predestination are different ideas, that argument will not work. Martin Luther argued in favor of predestination by illustrating how pagans believed in fate and arguing that even pagans relized the truth, showing that Luther believed predestination and fate to be one and the same. Also, Methodius writing in the 3rd century argued that those favoring fate and disavowing free will are guilty of making God the author of evils. Thus, Methodius shows that he equated fate with God and this is squarely predestinationism.

Anyways, buy this book to discover more about the beliefs of the Early Church. You may not agree with everything Mr. Bercot has to offer but I guarantee it will force you to reassess many of the teachings and principles you currently adhere to and believe in. Read more ›

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114 of 133 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars I fell in love - but be mindful! April 11, 2003
Format:Paperback
I read this book just as my conversion began. I was with a group who assumed that their doctrines were pure, and that the doctrines and practices of other groups were more or less corrupt. It was assumed that we were a re-establishment of the New Testament Church. I could have quoted you scriptures to defend every belief we had, and summon ones to dismiss every "error" anyone else had. Eventually I asked the obvious question - "if we've got the Truth, why aren't others coming here, and how did things get to be this bad? How did they go wrong?" I wanted a detailed answer, one that quoted texts that chronicled the supposed decline, rather than hearing someone else narrate to me with their own voice, from their own authority what they were told happened, or what they read some author claim had happened. After reading this book, I was forced to concede to the weight of the case made by Bercot, but like Bercot, I conceded happily (Matt.13:44-46) - at the time.

In the beginning section of the book, he fleshes out the vision of the Christians who were instructed by the Apostles, and those who were trained by them in turn. He quotes from their writings and gives you footnotes to follow. Their discipleship was so noble and rugged, I was immediately enthralled by them. They were filled with fire, and pursued the beauty of holiness by ascetic struggle (there was no 'easy-believism' or 'health and wealth' movements in the early Church). He details how the Church before Constantine (before A.D.325) lived out it's life of discipleship, and compares it to present-day movements.

The middle section details some central doctrines that the early Church universally believed.
... Read more ›
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68 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bercot has forged a damning critique of contemporary evangelicalism, a movement which once cherished it's "separation" from the world and now apes every passing marketing fad through "christian rock music," "christian romance novels," "christian financial advise," "christian self-help" (e.g. MEN ARE FROM ISRAEL, WOMEN ARE FROM MOAB) etc.

Evangelicals who once prided themselves on being "not conformed to this world" have seemingly replaced the Episcopal Church for being "the Republican party at prayer."

In sum evangelialism is not a church, nor is it even movement anymore. Evangelicalism is now a niche market and a somewhat marginal political constituency (one to be manipulated in biennial crusades against the godless "secular humanist liberals" only to dismissed when the election is over an governing has to take place.)

It is no wonder why Bercot has stirred up such a hornet's nest in some circles.

In addition to the overdue sizing up of evangelicalism, this book is valuable in serving to stimulate interest in Patristics (the study of the church fathers). I am particularly grateful for the space he gives to Origen, the church's most brilliant intellect before Augustine.

Perhaps most importantly he reminds us that Chritian life is not a one-on-one proposition (the usual interpretation of having "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ"), but one done in Community. This cannot be emphasized enough.

This being said several notes of caution must be sounded.

First, reconstructing the church from the early fathers is a little like trying to reconstruct U.S. history with only back issues of the New York Times Op-Ed page to go on....

Secondly, it is just plain wrong to say that the faith and the church was an unchanging affair for at least the first 3 or 4 centuries. Reading the fathers shows us considerable change, however unacknowledge. The first century church was one of spiritual gifts and prophecy. Towards the end of the first century into the early second century the office of the bishop become established (largely at the insistence of Ignatius of Antioch).During the second century, veneration of martyrs and increasing emphasis on the Mother Mary developes. By the third century, infant baptism becomes accepted practice. Along the way also presbyters become "priests," bishops in major cities become "patriarchs and the role of women become much diminished. *All* of this is very clear from the historical record (see Ronald Kydd's book on spiritual gifts in the early church and Ben Witherington's on women in the earliest churches.

Even on crucial doctrines of the Trinity and Incarnation, it must be admitted that these doctrines developed (or if you prefer *refined*) over the course of centuries and what would have been "orthodox" in the third century would be "heretical" in the fourth.

Thirdly, Bercot makes much of the fact that the Church Fathers were nearer in time to the apostles, but I would argue that it is entirely possible for contemporary scholarship in certain cases to have insight into New Testament teachings that were unavailable to the Church Fathers, particularly considering the fact that *all* the Fathers were gentiles and most of the New Testament writers were jews.

Fourthly, Bercot scores some points against Luther and Calvin. Concerning this, I can only say that Luther is not easily dismissed with a few stray quotes. Anyone who thinks he understands Luther on the first reading is almost certainly wrong. Further justification by faith has stronger biblical bases than Bercot might think (see Frank Thielman's PAUL AND THE LAW and Thomas Schreiner's book on the subject).

As for Calvin, the current teaching of "eternal security" of salvation as something of a "spiritual tattooing" (something done as a youthful indiscretion on wild weekend and then indelibly part of the person for the rest of their life), is a complete travesty of Calvin and Calvinist teaching on "perserverance of the saints." Calvin, the Puritans, and Jonathan Edwards, with their concentration on sanctification would be as horrified as anyone over this teaching of "once saved, always saved."

So in conclusion, keep in mind the limitations as well as the strengths of the Church Fathers. Read other books like J.N.D. Kelly and Thomas Oden on the Early Church. But with all else, "test the spirits."

Finally to those who ask "Sola *sic* Origen, Sola *sic* Tertullian, Sola *sic* Policarp *sic*..." they should ask how many are their beliefs are based "Solo Calvin, Solo Luther, Solo Lewis Sperry Chafer." Read more ›

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opener!
I found "Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up" to be an excellent read. Not only was it well written and easy to read, but I couldn't put it down. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars LIKE IT OR LUMP IT. IT HITS THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD.
A fabulous book. I am buying a number of copies to give to my family and friends! Dave Bercot you are to be congratulated on producing an excellent piece of work! I salute you,
Published 2 months ago by Phillip Hartlerode
1.0 out of 5 stars I consider Bercot a false teacher
I see Bercot as a man who has no understanding of the Christian gospel of salvation. I see him as man who has simply changed religions several times. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Robert L Larsen
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb reality check for Christians
Book of the authors conclusions based on the writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers among whom were the disciples of the disciples. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ben Clement
5.0 out of 5 stars Unnerving, Unsettling. A Must Read
I really liked this book the first time I read it. It really bothered me in parts. Especially about the role of baptism in salvation. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dave Kinsella
4.0 out of 5 stars Convicting
We do not live in the same world as the first century Christians that's for sure. Maybe if we lived in the Middle East but here in America it's a whole different story. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ol'young@heartguy
5.0 out of 5 stars The modern Church NEEDS this book
I read this book about a year ago. I have read many books about Christianity and several have been good, but very few have left a lasting impact. But this book is different. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Unworthy1
4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Overview of Early Church and How Much We Have Strayed
Bercot places a lot of authority upon the early church fathers. This is nothing new especially since the Eastern Orthodox Church has been doing this for nearly two thousand years. Read more
Published 23 months ago by G. Dill
5.0 out of 5 stars Great discussion on the heresies of modern evangelism, limited...
Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up is a good outline and documentation of the church's decline and departure from the Apostolic order as the philosophies of men began to... Read more
Published on November 20, 2010 by J. Kern
1.0 out of 5 stars Dangerous hermeneutic
In this book Bercot presents a dangerous hermeneutic (approach to interpretation): Since the early church fathers were closer to the apostles than us, their interpretation is to be... Read more
Published on October 19, 2010 by Stanley A. Maughan
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