The Eternal Kingdom by F.W. Mattox (C)1955

Mark Johns
Mark Johns Member Posts: 277
edited November 20 in English Forum

The following is a textbook used at Lubbock Christian College
and Harding College (Now Harding University).  My cousin used this
book when enrolled at Lubbock.  Appreared first in 1955 in a mimeographed
form   This book on the early Church and the History of the Church has
Thirty-Three (33) Chapters.  This book was written in about 1955, and was
revised in 1961 with two(2) new chapters.  This post is for the 1961 edition,
printed for the 1st time in 1961.

You may read more about the author of this book at the following
web address: History of the Restoration Movement  He was born in 1909.
This work is a by-product of the American Restoration Movement.

However, this post initially includes just the first three chapters and part of 
the fourth.  Just started this one this morning.  It is based on the PDF File
which is available as a free download at  https://gbntv.org.

The book is also available from The Tennessee Bible College at:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://tbc.tn-biblecollege.edu/files/tbc/resthistlib/Mattox-FW-The_Eternal_Kingdom-1961.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi--qCa7-OGAxVLAjQIHdhuBkMQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0TiEsTALU4FNSvTNiVqMrX

The Eternal Kingdom - FW Mattos - 1961.docx

SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF THE TABLE OF CONTENTS BELOW.....

Please note that I will repost updates of this book as I add (gradually) the
rest of the chapters.  Hopefully this week.  In connection with this book, I 
hope to complete Robert Brumback's Book "History of the Church" very
soon.  These two books will provide a very good study on the History of
the Church...

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART ONE

DIVINE BEGINNINGS

Chapter One

In the Fullness of Time

I. The Roman Government: moral conditions

II. The Social Order

III. Moral Conditions
IV. Religion

V. The Mystery Religions
VI. Zorastrianism

VII. Mithraism
VIII. Roman Religion

IX. The Jewish Contribution:

The Sadducees; The Pharisees; The Essenes; The Zealots

X. The Greek Heritage

XI. Summary

Chapter Two

Historical Evidence Concerning the Life of Jesus

I. Josephus

II. Tacitus

III. Suetonius
IV. Pliny

V. Conclusions

Chapter Three

The New Testament Church

I. Establishment of the Church
II. Definition of Terms

III. The Church in Prophecy
IV. The Church in Preparation

V. The Church in Reality
VI. The Basis of Membership

VII. Rapid Growth
VIII. Early Spread

IX. Organization and Government

X. Worship of the Church
XI. Manner of Life

 

PART TWO
CONTROVERSY AND DEPARTURE 100-312 A.D.


Chapter Four

Uninspired Writings, 100-150

I. Clement of Rome

II. Ignatius of Antioch

III. The Epistle of Barnabas

IV. The Didache

V. Papias

VI. Polycarp
VII. Shepherd of Hermas

VIII. Summary

Chapter Five

The Apologists, 185-250

I. Quadratus
II. Aristides

III. Justin Martyr
IV. Tatian

V. Melito
VI. Athenagoras

VII. Theophilus

The State of the Church

I. Marcion

II. Gnosticism
III. Docetism
IV. Montanism

Later Apologists

I. Irenaeus

II. Clement of Alexandria

III. Tertullian
IV. Hippolytus

V. Origen

Chapter Six

Through Persecution to Victory, 54-313

I. Chronology of Persecution
II. Edict of Toleration

III. Edict of Milan

Chapter Seven

The Development of the Canon

I. The Source of Inspired Writings

II. Method of Distribution

III. Early References to New Testament Letters

IV. Tests Applied to Questioned Books

V. Apocrypha] Works

Chapter Eight

Departure From the New Testament Pattern, 100-325

I. Departure in Organization

II. Development of a Priesthood

III. The Growth of Sects

IV. Neoplatonism

V. Manichaeism
VI. The Ebionites

VII. Monarchianism

VIII. Donatists

Further Departure In Doctrine

I. Millennialism
II. Original Sin and Baptism

Departure In Manner Of Life

I. Asceticism and Celibacy

II. Easter Celebration

III. Summary of Part Two

 

PART THREE

THE INCREASE OF ERROR, 313-787 A.D.

Chapter Nine

The Influence of Constantine

I. Support of the Church

II. Council of Nicaea

Chapter Ten

The Growth of Episcopacy

I. Chronological Development

II. The Battle of the Bishops

Chapter Eleven

The Ecumenical Councils

I. Council of Nicaea 325

II. Council of Constantinople 381

III. Council of Ephesus 431
IV. Council of Chalcedon 451

V. Council of Constantinople 553

VI. Council of Constantinople 680

VII. Council of Nicaea 787

Chapter Twelve

The Life, Worship, and Doctrine Under Romanism

I. The Establishment of Catholicity

II. Sacredotalism

III. Baptism 

IV. The Lord's Supper

V.Increase of Sacraments
VI.Instrumental Music Introduced

VII.Monasticism
VIII.Controversy on the Human Will

Chapter Thirteen

Theory and Organization of Roman Catholicism

The Theory of Romanism
I. The Teaching Ministry of the Church

II. The Priestly Function of the Church

III. The Kingly Function of the Church

Organization of the Roman Church

I. The Regular Priests

II. The Secular Clergy

III. Powers of Orders
IV. Powers of Jurisdiction:

(1) Parish Priest; (2) Rural Dean;(3) Vicar General;

(4) Bishop; (5) Archbishop; (6) Papal Legate; (7) The Pope

Chart of Undenominationalism Contrasted with Romanism.

Chapter Fourteen

The Rise of Mohammedanism

 

PART FOUR

THE GROWTH OF PAPAL POWER

Chapter Fifteen

Sources of Support for the Papacy

I. Papal Recognition by Secular Rulers

II. Papal Support From False Documents

III. Papal Support From Hierarchy

Chapter Sixteen

The Strong Popes

Gregory I, Nicholas I, Gregory VII, Innocent III, Boniface VIII.

Chapter Seventeen

The Crusades

Chapter Eighteen

Opposition to the Papacy

I. Opposition Groups

II. Church Succession Through Opposition Groups

III. The Catharists
IV. Arnold of Brescia

V. Peter of Bruys
VI. Peter Waldo and the Waldenses

VII. The Albigenses
VIII. The Inquisition

IX. The True Church

 

PART FIVE
REFORMATION BEGINNINGS ‘

 

Chapter Nineteen

The Need for Reformation

I. Celibacy

II. Simony

III. Indulgences
IV. Hagiolatry

Chapter Twenty

Early Reform Movements

I. William of Occam
II. John Wycliffe

III. John Huss
IV. Girolamo Savonarola

V. Ximenes

Chapter Twenty-One

Decline of Papal Influence

I. The Popes

II. The Renaissance

III. Petrarch

 

PART SIX

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION — 1517-1800

Chapter Twenty-Two

The German Reformation

I. The Sale of Indulgences

II. Martin Luther

III. Diet of Speier

Chapter Twenty-Three

The Swiss Reformation

I. Huldreich Zwingli

II. Marburg

III. John Calvin

IV. Calvinism versus Arminianism

Chapter Twenty-Four

The Spread of Reform Ideas in Europe

I. Anabaptists
II. Meno Simons

Chapter Twenty-Five

Reformation in England

I. English Humanism
II. Break With the Pope

III. Edward VI
IV. Elizabeth

V. Bible Translations Into English
VI. The Rise of Denominations in England

VII. The Romanists

VIII. The Dutch Reformed

IX. The Presbyterians
X. The Quakers

XI. The Baptist Church

XII. John Wesley and the Methodists

Chapter Twenty-Six

Roman Reaction to Reformation

I. Before Trent

II. The Council of Trent

III. The Society of Jesus

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The Religious Wars

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Denominationalism Transferred to America

I. Roman Catholicism
II. The Church of England

III. Puritans, Separatists, Congregationalists
IV. Presbyterianism

V. The Methodists
VI. The Baptists

VII. Other Religious Bodies
VIII. Proposed Basis for Unity

 

PART SEVEN

THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT ........ 19th Century

 

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Early Beginnings Toward Undenominationalism

I. James O'Kelley — Methodist
II. Abner Jones — Baptist

III. Barton W. Stone — Presbyterian
IV. "The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery"

V. John Wright — Baptist

VI. Thomas Campbell

Chapter Thirty

Principles of Undenominationalism

"The Declaration and Address"

Chapter Thirty-One

The Restoration Fully Launched

I. The Brush Rim Church
II. Association With the Baptists

III. The Campbell-Walker Debate
IV. The Campbell-McCalla Debate

V. The Christian Baptist
VI. Walter Scott

VII. Extent of Agreement with the Baptists
VIII. "The Gospel Restored"

Chapter Thirty-Two

Union of Forces: Stone and Campbell

Chapter Thirty-Three

The Unfinished Restoration

Mark
https://djmarko53.wixsite.com/churchbooks

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Comments

  • Mark Johns
    Mark Johns Member Posts: 277

    Here is an update for "The Eternal Kingdom" by F.W. Mattox:

    The Eternal Kingdom - FW Mattos - 1961 - ch1-6.docx
    See the previous post for the Cover/Title Page....

    As the filename indicates, now, this update includes the 1st six chapters.
    There are 33 chapters total.  In MS WORD this update has 87 pages.  Looks
    like it will be a sizeable book (over 400 pages?? )  Hope to have it at least 50%
    complete this week.  Sorry, got a lot of things going on.  Not to mention, that in
    converting from the PDF Version I am getting  a lot of spaces in some words.  To
    go through and rectify this, I literally have to "re-read" this file.  My apologies on 
    this.  This is easily corrected, but takes some time.  Will try and post a major update
    by Thursday.........

    In my previous post I listed two sites where the .PDF version can be downloaded
    in it's entire 33 chapters   It might be available at other Restoration Movement sites


    Mark
    https://djmarko53.wixsite.com/churchbooks

  • Mark Johns
    Mark Johns Member Posts: 277

    You're welcome sir!

    Just finished thru chapter Eleven and

    will try to post the update tonite,

    Mark

    https://djmarko53.wixsite.com/churchbooks

  • John
    John Member Posts: 573 ✭✭
  • John
    John Member Posts: 573 ✭✭

    I started reading this book shortly after it was published in Logos. I have not finished it yet.

    Immediately in Chapter one I found this statement:

    IMG 0029


    Everything else I have ever read said that Herods Temple was expanded and much larger.

    There are no footnotes or references. No citations to historical sources. No bibliography.

    So I wonder if there might be other historical innacuracies?

  • Mark Johns
    Mark Johns Member Posts: 277

    Well, someone went and spoiled it for me.  Didn't know that LOGOS had
    already beat me to the punch and took this Public Domain work and created
    it for LOGOS.  Well, since I am getting close to half-way through my version,
    I suppose that I will continue on and have the project completed by next week.
    So, suppose I will then save the $12 cost.  Anyway, I will post what I have done
    thru Chapter Twelve (there are 33 chapters....)  Then, won't post anymore....If
    anyone wants to read the rest you might have to spend the money.  I would myself,
    but being on Medicare as a retiree I really have to pull in the reigns on my spending.

    Anyway, here is what I have so far.....
    The Eternal Kingdom - FW Mattos - 1961 - ch1-12.docx


    Concerning the Herods Temple it has been said, "Everything else I have ever read 
    said that Herods Temple was expanded and much larger."  Larger how?  The idea of
    it being expanded as proposed by some long dead historian really cannot be proven.
    The Romans took care of that in 70 AD when they virtually destroyed Jerusalem, not
    to mention the temple.  The idea of expanding the Temple kinda reminds one of the
    warning in God's Word of "Adding To.."  or "Taking From" the Word of God as it is 
    condemned in the Bible (remember Revelation).

    Something else... Not that it matters... When Herod built his version of the Temple, it was
    almost like he was trying to imitate and rival what God had allowed or ordained.  I don't 
    see God allowing Herod to do that really, which takes us back to the issue raised about
    an alleged historical inaccuracy.  Is it?  What proof is that there is a historical inaccuracy?
    No one alive has seen, let alone measured Herod's Temple ("in tact" that is...)

    Now, I was still in elementary school when F.W. Mattox's book was revised in 1961 with
    the addition of two extra chapters.  I do know that my uncle who was an infuencial and 
    faithful gospel preacher in Texas, regarded Mattox highly.  He and others thought he was
    "above board."   The fact that several Christian Colleges and Universities have used the
    book in the classroom tells me that any "historical inaccuracies" is perhaps someone 
    grasping for straws.  But.... I will do my own research and really see what bonafide historians
    really do say about this.  But, all in all, it all boils down to a "matter of opinion"  And when it
    comes to that "OPINION" doesn't matter, especially on the judgment day.  Only the truth will
    matter.  We may not know it all right now.  But in matters of eternity, how big something is or
    isn't is not all that important.  But I will create my own little bibliography and research, and
    if acceptable to any concerned, I will post the results on the Forum here...

    Mark
    https://djmarko53.wixsite.com/churchbooks

  • John
    John Member Posts: 573 ✭✭

    Larger how?  The idea of
    it being expanded as proposed by some long dead historian really cannot be proven.

    Templesize

    https://app.logos.com/books/LLS%253AFSBINFOGRAPHICS/articles/TEMPLECOMPARISON

  • John
    John Member Posts: 573 ✭✭

    The fact that several Christian Colleges and Universities have used the
    book in the classroom tells me that any "historical inaccuracies" is perhaps someone 
    grasping for straws.

    Don't get me wrong. I am not saying the book has no value. I believed it did, which is why I decided to read it.

    But a book about history that does not give sources ... and has obviously incorrect statements ... is one to read with critical thinking.

    But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

  • Mark Johns
    Mark Johns Member Posts: 277

    We also have to realize that what most people said made Herod's Temple larger
    was add-ons and the like.  Modifications, Courts for the Gentiles, and so forth. Items
    and features not present in Solomon's temple.  In that sense, yes, Herod's Temple
    was larger in  that Herod "expanded" (without divine auhtorization) the design used
    by Solomon and those who rebuilt it after the captivity.  But then, we all know what 
    happened to Herod in the New Testament. Which goes to show you that  bigger and
    more grand is not "better," especially if God is not behind the building.  But then, knowing
    what happened to Solomon shows that he wasn't much better than Herod in the end.  
    Starting out, Solomon may have followed in David's footsteps.

    Also, keep in mind that that Jesus condemned the Jewish authorities, etc.. for turning
    his Father's house (i.e. Temple) into a "Den of Thieves"  Doesn't matter if a ruler like
    Herord builds the biggest and best since the days of Solomon.  The idea also come to 
    mind of the warning from Christ warning about those who "teach for doctrine the commandments
    of men."  I know the background that Mattox came from, and I think he was more worried 
    about this.  In that he wanted to show through history  how men did just that.  And it made 
    those in Rome and Constantinople just that, "those who perverted the original church."  This
    certainly would account for the religious division we have today.  As long as Mattox's book
    seems to be accurate as far as history and events, and how Christianity and the church has
    been altered by man.

    Maybe there is an omen here (after the fact, of course)  Just as Herod altered the original plan
    of the temple and the authorities turned it into a sinful, profit-making endeavor....Even so, man
    has taking that which Christ has built and done the same thing through history and time.  But 
    then, the New Testament warns of that happening....."Grievious wolves...not sparing the flock"
    I dare say that Mattox's book, and Brumback's "History of the Church" are/were more concerned
    with how the distortion of truth has affected the church.  Makes me think of Christ's warning(s) at
    the end of the Sermon on the Mount.

    If anything, I realize that in :"man's eyes" Herod's Temple was "BIGGER AND BETTER," but what
    about Christ's prediction to his disciples who were impresed by the Grandeur of the Temple and
    the buildings in Jerusalem?  Something like: "There is not a stone here that won't be undone"
    Wonder what He would think of the big churches today that preach a "wealth and prosperity" 
    gospel and distort the truth.

    Sorry, didn't mean to preach to you.  This has been on my mind before I started that work by
    Mattox..  Guess I will now take a look at the PDF for Brumback's "History of the Church"  It is
    a large PDF File, so may not be doable.

    Let us not throw the baby out with the bath water, so to speak.. Or, don't try to discredit the
    likes of Mattox, Brumback, and others over a simple matter of the size of the temple.  Admitedly,
    I haven't seen anything of the LOGOS version of Mattox's work, but the original which I have has
    a fair amount "footnotes"   Took a peak at preview ("look inside") of the LOGOS book online.  Correct
    me if I'm wrong, but I didn't note any footnotes in the LOGOS version.  The original 1961 revision
    which I have been working off of has footnotes.  But then, I am not all that interested in all those
    "Ibid p. 32" statements.....I don't mind footnotes, but I expect more than a simple "Ibid."

    On a lighter note, the Brumback "History of the Church" appears to be more or lest "Scanned Images"
    So, told my PDF Editor to perform OCR Scanning on the entire document.  Hope that doesn't mess
    it up.  But then, I thought ahead and saved a backup first.

    Have a "FANTABULOUS DAY!"

    Mark
    https://djmarko53.wixsite.com