I purchased this book when I was asked to preach on Trinity Sunday. As I read the book, I realized that every time I attempted to arrive at an understanding of the Trinity, I was stepping into a orthodox "cow patty."

This edited book is a compilation several theologians and clergy's discussion of several ancient heresies with an apology of why each is wrong. The book is divided in two parts, heresies regarding the person of Christ and heresies of the church and Christian living. (I'm especially thankful of the God's grace with Donatism.) If the reader believes that new heretical behavior isn't possible, one of the editors closes the book with contemporary heresies.

This book is an easy to understand and suitable for adult Christian education and useful for all new clergy who find themselves assigned by their elder clergy to preach on Trinity Sunday. ( )

What don't Christians believe? Is Jesus really divine? Is Jesus really human? Can God suffer? Can people be saved by their own efforts?

The early church puzzled over these questions, ruling in some beliefs and ruling out others. Heresies and How to Avoid Them explains the principal ancient heresies and shows why contemporary Christians still need to know about them. These famous detours in Christian believing seemed plausible and attractive to many people in the past, and most can still be found in modern-day guises. By learning what it is that Christians don't believe--and why--believers today can gain a deeper, truer understanding of their faith.