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Courtesy of www.LumoProject.com Introduction Jesus of Nazareth (Hebrew: Yeshua ha-Notzri ; Greek: Iēsous ho Nazōraios ) entered history around 6–4 BC (3758–3755 in the Hebrew calendar) in the Roman client state of Judea. His mother, Mary, a young virgin of Israel, received the angel Gabriel's proclamation of the Messiah's conception—a divine interruption of history. Joseph, his adoptive father, was a tektōn G5045 ), a builder who worked with both wood and stone, embodying the rugged strength of Galilean tradesmen. Mary, likely in her mid-teens according to Jewish custom, delivered the promised Son under Roman occupation, but with heaven's authority. The church, from its earliest memory, bore witness to his nativity on December 25—not as legend, but as affirmed testimony—echoed by Euodius of Antioch (d. c. AD 64–69), Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170–c. 235), and Julius Africanus (c. AD 180–c. 250). By AD 204, Hippolytus proclaimed this date boldly when he wrote: The first advent of our Lord in the flesh, when he was born in Bethlehem, was December 25, a Wednesday, while Augustus was in his forty-second year, but from Adam, five thousand and five hundred years. He suffered in the thirty-third year, March 25, Friday, the eighteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, while Rufus and Roubellion were Consuls ( Commentary on Daniel 4.23.3 ). The gospels name four brothers of Jesus—James, Joseph, Simon, and Jude ( Matt. 13:55–56 ; Mark 6:3 )—and some unnamed sisters. Before the resurrection, they doubted his messianic mission ( John 7:3–5 ). Everything changed when they encountered the risen Christ among the apostles ( Acts 1:14 ); disbelief shattered, and faith ignited. James rose to shepherd the Jerusalem church with unwavering authority ( Acts 15:13–21 , 21:17–18 ), crafting a letter that echoes the teaching and moral force of Jesus himself ( James 1:1 ). Jude testifies in his epistle, identifying himself as "brother of James" ( Jude 1:1 ). Paul confirms James' central role, calling him "the Lord's brother" ( Gal. 1:19 ). From doubt to conviction, from ordinary family to pillars of the early church, Jesus' siblings became instruments of God's enduring work in the world. In Matthew and Luke, Jesus' genealogy traces both his father's and mother's lines back to David, Israel's revered king ( Matt. 1 ;  Luke 3 ). This bloodline marked him as the rightful heir to Israel's throne—a reality that alarmed Herod (r. 37 BC–AD 4), the Roman-appointed ruler with no legitimate claim. Fearing a challenge to his authority, Herod commanded the massacre of all boys two years old and younger ( Matt. 2:16–18 ). Matthew deliberately contrasts Herod's illegitimate, terror-driven power—and even the dominion of Caesar Augustus (r. 27 BC–AD 14)—with Jesus' authority. Where Augustus enforced the "Roman Peace" (Latin: Pax Romana ) through conquest and coercion, Jesus inaugurated God's kingdom through peace, arriving paradoxically as a defenseless infant who would one day reshape history. Courtesy of www.LumoProject.com Jesus the Jew The word "Jew" carries weight in three realms—religion, lineage, and land—encompassing Judaism, the tribe of Judah, and the province of Judea. Every Jewish person bears both a spiritual and an ancestral inheritance rooted in the eastern Mediterranean. Jesus emerged from Judah ( Matt. 1:2–3 ), the tribe long promised in Scripture to yield the Messiah ( Matt. 2:6 ; Heb. 7:14 , 8:8 ; Rev. 5:5 ). At the very outset of his gospel, Matthew declares this lineage with clarity and authority, proclaiming the fulfillment of God's ancient promises: ​ Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah ( Matt. 1:17 ). Jesus' heritage is remarkable, tracing back to the very origins of Israel, beginning with God's covenant with Abraham. Matthew emphasizes the number fourteen, not arbitrarily, but because in Hebrew it corresponds to the numerical value of David's name: 4 + 6 + 4 (ד‎ ו‎ ד‎) = 14—linking the Messiah explicitly to the line of Israel's greatest king. ​ Luke is the only evangelist among the four—Matthew, Mark, and John—who records an episode from Jesus' childhood. This account occurs when Jesus was twelve, remaining at the temple for three days without his parents' knowledge. During this time, he engaged Israel's teachers, posing questions and offering insightful answers ( Luke 2:41–51 ). In first-century Jewish culture, families expected boys to study the Scriptures between the ages of five and twelve, culminating in a celebration marking the "son of the commandment" (Hebrew: bar mitzvah ; H1274 , H4687 ) and their transition from childhood to adulthood. Unlike his peers, Jesus did more than recite the texts—he interpreted them with understanding, demonstrating wisdom beyond his years. Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus faced three temptations in the desert over forty days ( Luke 4:1–13 ), each echoing the failures of ancient Israel. First, he accepted only God's provision, in contrast to the Israelites who grumbled over manna instead of desiring God's blessing ( Exod. 16:3 ). Second, he rejected the allure of fame, power, and wealth, refusing to lead a revolt against Rome—a temptation Israel succumbed to in longing for Egyptian riches. Third, the devil challenged him to throw himself from the temple pinnacle, misusing Psalm 91:11 . This temptation was not about suicide but about testing God, as Israel had done in the wilderness, demanding water from Moses in disbelief ( Exod. 17:1–3 ; Deut. 6:16 ). Jesus' obedience, however, summoned the angels to minister to him. Luke presents Jesus as the faithful Israel, embodying covenantal fidelity where the nation repeatedly failed. ​ Courtesy of www.LumoProject.com Jesus, King of the Jews​ ​ In the same way, Jesus revealed his humanity within the context of Judaism, yet he also manifested his divinity. When Moses asked for God's name at the outset of Israel's exodus, God replied, "I AM WHO I AM " ( Exod. 3:14 ). The Tetragrammaton (a Greek term meaning "four letters"), יהוה, represents God's name in Hebrew and scholars transliterate it in English as YHWH ( H3068 ). Understanding this background is crucial for interpreting the seven "I Am" statements of Jesus: I am the bread of life ( John 6:35–51 ). I am the light of the world ( John 8:12 , 9:5 ). I am the gate of the sheep ( John 10:7–9 ). I am the good shepherd ( John 10:11–14 ). I am the resurrection and the life ( John 11:25 ). I am the way and the truth and the life ( John 14:6 ). I am the true vine ( John 15:1 ). ​ Each "I Am" statement reveals God's character embodied in Christ, connecting Israel's history to Jesus' mission. Jesus declares himself the bread of life, recalling how the Father provided manna—the bread of angels—to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness ( Ps. 78:25 ). He offers light to the world, just as God preserved the temple oil during the desecration under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (r. 175–164 BC), who sought to Hellenize the Jewish people and suppress their worship ( 1 Macc. 4:36–50 , CEB). The festival of Hanukkah ( H2597 , "Dedication;" cf.  John 10:22 ) commemorates the Maccabean revolt that restored the temple and halted idolatrous sacrifices. In this light, Jesus as the good shepherd contrasts sharply with Judea's religious leaders, who, like the Hellenistic collaborators under Antiochus, exploited their people for wealth and status. "The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it" ( John 10:12 ). Beyond shepherd, Jesus is the gate, securing God's people and offering salvation through his sacrificial life ( John 10:7–18 ). In embodying God's care, provision, and protection, Jesus fulfills Israel's story and opens the way for his followers, inspiring the earliest Christians to call their movement "the Way" (e.g., Acts 9:2 ), drawn from his declaration, "I am the way and the truth and the life" ( John 14:6 ). Jesus' most decisive "I Am" statement was, "Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I Am!" ( John 8:58 ). Unlike the other seven, this declaration struck the Judean religious leaders as overtly blasphemous. Whereas the other "I Am" statements implied divinity, here Jesus explicitly claimed preexistence and invoked God's name directly—a radical, unprecedented claim. Even today, many Jews avoid spelling the divine name, using forms such as "L–rd" or "G–d." For those anticipating the Messiah, Jesus' use of the divine name was unimaginable. Notably, the Hebrew form of "Jesus," Yeshua ( H3442 , "God saves"), contains an abbreviated form of Yahweh . The religious leaders responded with violence, picking up stones to execute him for what they perceived as blasphemy ( John 8:59 ). Jesus intended this unambiguous claim to divinity to set in motion the events that would culminate in his crucifixion. ​ Jesus' earthly ministry centered on inaugurating God's kingdom. This reality affirms his kingship, which is why Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea, ironically had the inscription JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS  placed above his head on the cross ( Matt. 27:37 ; Mark 15:26 ; Luke 23:38 ; John 19:19 ). Yet the kingdom of heaven does not belong to this world; it proceeds from God's sovereign will. Just as the church (Greek: ekklēsia ; G1577 ) designates a people united in Christ, the kingdom comprises all who acknowledge God's authority. On Pentecost, the apostle Peter proclaimed to his Jewish audience that Jesus had ascended and shared in divine authority ( Acts 2:14–36 ). David foresaw this reality when he wrote, "The L ORD says to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'" ( Ps. 110:1 ; Acts 2:34–35 ). ​ Courtesy of www.LumoProject.com Trilemma: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord ​ Let us consider this wisdom by British apologist C. S. Lewis (1898–1963): I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, spit at him, and kill him as a demon, or fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. . . . Now it seems to me obvious that he was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that he was and is God ( Mere Christianity , pp. 55–56). ​ Commentators refer to this quote as the "Lewis trilemma," a threefold Christological challenge: Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. Many of his contemporaries acknowledged him as a teacher or rabbi, including the Judean religious leaders (e.g., Matt. 12:38 ; John 3:2 ). Yet the New Testament refuses to settle for mere moral instruction. Hillel (c. 110 BC–c. AD 8) was also a revered teacher, a rabbi whose wisdom still guides Jewish study—but Jesus' authority demands more: he claims divinity itself. ​ Courtesy of www.LumoProject.com Conclusion​ ​ Finally, we confront the question Jesus poses to every believer: "Who do you say I am?" ( Matt. 16:15 ). Peter answered with clarity and conviction: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" ( Matt. 16:16 ). This confession is not mere sentiment—it forms the theological and ecclesial foundation upon which Christ establishes his church, a foundation impervious to the gates of Hades. Jesus entrusts his followers with the keys of the kingdom: whatever is bound on earth is bound in heaven, whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven. The rock is both Peter's confession and the collective witness of the apostles, who serve as the foundation of the early church ( Matt. 16:18–19 ; Eph. 2:20 ). From a paleo-orthodox perspective, this claim underscores the vital continuity of apostolic teaching and succession ( see " Paleo-Orthodoxy & Succession "). Jesus, therefore, cannot be dismissed as a liar or a lunatic; he is Lord. The historical, theological, and liturgical weight of this truth demands our rigorous study, faithful teaching, and wholehearted devotion. ​ Ben White Prayer ​ Blessed are you, L ORD our God, King of the universe; in your tender love for us, you sent your Son to take upon himself our nature and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and come to share in his resurrection; through Jesus the Messiah our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.​ Bibliography ​ Bailey, Kenneth E. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels . Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2009. ​ Bird, Michael F., ed., Craig A. Evans, Simon J. Gathercole, Charles E. Hill, and Chris Tilling. How God Became Jesus: The Real Origins of Belief in Jesus' Divine Nature—A Response to Bart D. Ehrman . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014. ​ Book of Common Prayer . Huntington Beach, CA: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019. Dunn, James D. G. Christianity in the Making, Vol. 1: Jesus Remembered . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003. ​ ⸻. Christianity in the Making, Vol. 2: Beginning from Jerusalem . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. ​ Fee, Gordon D. Jesus the Lord According to Paul the Apostle: A Concise Introduction . Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2018.​ Hippolytus. Commentary on Daniel . Translated by Thomas Coffman Schmidt. 2010. ​ Hoffbrand, David. The Jewish Jesus: Reconnecting with the Truth About Jesus, Israel, and the Church . Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2017. KjaerHansen, Kai. "An Introduction to the Names Yehoshua/Joshua, Yeshua, Jesus, and Yeshu." Jews for Jesus. March 23, 1992. link . Köstenberger, Andreas J., and Alexander E. Stewart. The First Days of Jesus: The Story of the Incarnation . Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015. ​ Levine, Amy-Jill. The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus . San Francisco: HarperOne, 2007. ​ Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity . San Francisco: HarperOne, 2015. Moffic, Evan. What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Jewishness of Jesus: A New Way of Seeing the Most Influential Rabbi in History . Nashville: Abingdon, 2016. ​ Moseley, Ron. Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church . Clarksville, MD: Messianic Jewish Publications, 1996. Rubin, Barry, and David H. Stern.  The Complete Jewish Study Bible . Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2016. Simmons, Kurt M. "The Origins of Christmas and the Date of Christ's Birth." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 58, no. 2 (2015): 299–324. link . ⸻. "Revisiting the Fathers: An Examination of the Christmas Date in Several Early Patristic Writers." Questions Liturgiques 98, no. 3–4 (2017): 143–80. link . ​ Spangler, Ann, and Lois Tverberg. Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018. ​ Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels . 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2020. ​ Taylor, Justin. "Is C. S. Lewis' Liar-Lord-or-Lunatic Argument Unsound?" Between Two Worlds Evangelical History (blog). The Gospel Coalition. February 1, 2016. link . Tverberg, Lois. Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus: How a Jewish Perspective Can Transform Your Understanding . Grand Rapids: Baker, 2018. ⸻. Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change Your Life . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. ​ Wright, N. T. How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels . San Francisco: HarperOne, 2016. ⸻. Interpreting Jesus: Essays on the Gospels . Collected Essays of N. T. Wright. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2020. ​ ⸻. Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters . San Francisco: HarperOne, 2018. ​ Wright, N. T., and Michael F. Bird. The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2019. Young, Brad H. Jesus the Jewish Theologian . Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011. ​ ⸻. Meet the Rabbis: Rabbinic Thought and the Teachings of Jesus . Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007.

Megs Harrison Introduction Today, every neighborhood in Erie, Pennsylvania, boasts at least one church building. But in 1795, when the city first arose from the wilderness, Christians were scarce. John Colby (1771–1851), a Baptist missionary from New Hampshire, sounded the alarm in 1810. This article traces the Protestant history of Erie. As Colby pressed from Ohio toward the Lake Erie frontier, he recorded the stark reality he encountered: I was advised not to go to this place, as there is no religious society in the town [of Erie]—a noted place for wickedness. By some, by way of comparison, it was called Sodom. They likewise told me that the people there would not hear me, and I was credibly informed that the people had previously fallen into a frenzy, burnt the Bible, and sprinkled the ashes with whiskey! I, however, made an appointment, and the people had reasonable notice. At the hour the meeting began, I walked through the main street, nearly half a mile, with my hat off, singing the judgment hymn, hoping to excite their attention. I then went to the place appointed, and after waiting an hour and a half, I began service. My audience consisted of three men, three women, and four children. A few more also came in before I finished. The Lord have mercy on the people of Erie if there is any mercy for them. ​ An influential Quaker, William Penn (1611–1718), founded the colony of Pennsylvania in 1682 as a haven for religious freedom and democracy—but his borders did not touch Presque Isle or the Erie region. In 1792, the United States sold the 300-square-mile Erie Triangle to Pennsylvania, opening a vital freshwater port on Lake Erie. Yet when Erie emerged in 1795, nearly two decades after the Declaration of Independence, Penn's vision of liberty and faith had little sway. John Colby saw the city's unbelief and the corruption of Scripture. He thundered against it, calling Erie "Sodom," echoing the judgment of God on lawless, sinful cities ( Gen. 19 ). Colby preached in Erie three years before the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813—a flashpoint of the War of 1812—declaring the urgent need for repentance and faith. Paleo-Christian Press A Most Extensive Work of Grace ​ Erie's heart toward Christ shifted as waves of new settlers arrived, many from the devout New England states. The wealthiest among them raised the first churches in the freshly opened lands of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Northeastern Ohio. In those early days, the original Erie County Courthouse, built in 1808 near West Perry Square, became a sanctuary, hosting worship for Episcopalians and Presbyterians alike. Yes, the city's first Christians gathered in a brick courthouse because no church walls yet stood. Across Western Pennsylvania, a revival of faith ignited. Johnston Eaton (1776–1847), a Presbyterian minister in Franklin, bore witness: From 1781 to 1787, a most extensive work of grace was experienced in the churches of Cross Creek, Upper Buffalo, Chartiers, Pigeon Creek, Bethel, Lebanon, Ten Mile, Cross Roads, and Millcreek, during which more than a thousand persons were brought into the kingdom of Christ. . . . From 1795 to 1799, another series of gracious visitations were enjoyed by the churches generally throughout Western Pennsylvania, extending to the new settlements north of Pittsburgh. In 1802, the Presbyterian minister Elisha McCurdy (1763–1845) sparked a revival that swept through Western Pennsylvania, beginning at his former Three Springs Church. This movement surged across the United States, inspiring Sunday schools, missions campaigns, prayer meetings, the temperance movement, and the fight to abolish slavery. By 1808, God's "most extensive work of grace" had reached Erie, awakening hearts and transforming the city. Undoubtedly, the Second Great Awakening (1795–1835) fueled the resurgence of Christianity across Western Pennsylvania, spilling over from New York's "burned-over district." Methodist and Baptist congregations expanded rapidly, and Erie followed suit. In 1797, Methodist settlers arrived in Erie County, founding the borough of Wesleyville in honor of John Wesley (1703–1791), the founder of Methodism. Wesleyville Methodist Episcopal Church began in 1810 and rebuilt its structures in 1828 and 1927. This parish—now Wesley United Methodist Church—served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, sheltering formerly enslaved African Americans in its rafters on their journey to freedom in Canada. Wesleyville was officially incorporated in 1912. Today, a shopping center occupies the original site at 3306 Buffalo Road, while the borough's founders rest in the old Wesleyville Cemetery behind it. In 1826, Episcopal liturgies began at the Erie County Courthouse, drawing Presbyterians to change their membership and bringing new converts by word of mouth. In Harborcreek Township, local Methodists organized the Old Erie Circuit of the Baltimore Conference in 1827, now South Harborcreek United Methodist Church. In 1834, the Protestant Episcopal Church established St. Paul's parish on Myrtle Street between West 7th and 8th Streets, complete with a brick church and graveyard. Its current Gothic structure, built in 1866 for $60,000 (roughly $1 million today), still stands. In 1915, St. Paul's became Pennsylvania's first Protestant Episcopal cathedral. Paleo-Christian Press ​Don't Give Up the Ship ​ Today, the Erie Maritime Museum preserves the Brig Niagara , the flagship on which United States Navy commander Oliver Hazard Perry (1785–1834) defeated the Royal Navy. Perry's influence still shapes Erie—from Perry Square downtown to the Perry Monument at Presque Isle State Park, and along Perry Highway, which parallels PA-97 and US-19. Yet few recognize Perry's faith. He joined Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island, was baptized at age nine, and confirmed immediately by the first Episcopal bishop in the United States, Samuel Seabury (1729–1796). Perry looked to the parson Theodore Dehon (1776–1817) as a model, emulating his sense of duty, decorum, tradition, and commanding presence. Today, Perry's motto, "Don't Give Up the Ship," inspires Erieites to stand firm in hardship. Likewise, Jesus said, "You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary" ( Rev. 2:3 ). Keeping with the maritime theme, the Bible reminds us, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" ( Heb. 6:19 ). Don't Give up the Worship . Paleo-Christian Press New Jerusalem In 1827, Christian abolitionist William Himrod (1791–1873) founded a neighborhood called "New Jerusalem" for African Americans who had escaped slavery in the South, as well as local poor white laborers. Its boundaries ran from the Bayfront to the north, 6th Street to the south, Cherry Street to the west, and Sassafras Street to the east. Locals also called it "New Jerusalem," noting the ravine that made it difficult to reach from other parts of the city, much like the way heaven is said to be challenging to access. The name evoked the new Jerusalem described in Revelation, especially as testified by the apostle John: I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' [cf. Isa. 25:8 ] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away ( Rev. 21:3–4 ). Himrod sought to wipe away the tears of oppressed African Americans. In 1824, he opened the French Street School for Colored Children in Erie. This school later became the Himrod Mission and a station on the Underground Railroad. By 1836, Himrod joined the Erie County Anti-Slavery Society. He also founded Erie's first ironworks and helped incorporate Erie Cemetery. For twenty years, Himrod lived at the corner of French and 2nd Streets, teaching African-American children from his home. The black community in New Jerusalem carried Himrod's legacy forward for the next century. The Lawrence family rose to prominence: Earl Lawrence became the first black musician to perform with the Erie Philharmonic and mentored the composer Harry T. Burleigh. In contrast, his daughter Ada became one of the first black teachers in Erie Public Schools. For more on New Jerusalem, see Journey from Jerusalem: An Illustrated Introduction to Erie's African-American History, 1795–1995 (Erie County Historical Society, 1996) by Sarah S. Thompson. In November 2023, the Harry T. Burleigh Society, Our West Bayfront, and several other Erie nonprofits installed a historical marker at the corner of Sassafras and West 5th Streets to honor the New Jerusalem neighborhood. The marker reads: Erie's first African-American neighborhood, this nearly 30-block area located north of West 6th Street and west of Sassafras Street offered lots for early residents, welcomed freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, housed important small businesses, and provided a home field for the Pontiacs baseball team. Paleo-Christian Press What Death More Glorious! ​ St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Waterford, the oldest house of worship in Erie County, has held regular services since 1827, its exterior nearly unchanged save for a white tower. In 1833, Edward Buchanan (1811–1895), brother of future president James Buchanan, served as rector, guiding the congregation in faith. Strong Vincent (1837–1863), baptized there in 1835, carried this spiritual foundation with him before his family moved to Erie in 1843; a Bible given by his mother now rests in the church archives. Vincent pursued Trinity College and Harvard, yet he answered a higher call, joining the Union army in the Civil War. At Gettysburg, he commanded 1,300 infantrymen at Little Round Top, declaring, "What death more glorious can any man desire than to die on the soil of old Pennsylvania fighting for that flag!" Though struck by mortal wounds, he faced death with unwavering courage, departing seven days later in a nearby farmhouse while praying the Lord's Prayer, sealing his faith in sacrifice and glory. Paleo-Christian Press Coming for to Carry Me Home ​ The African-American composer Harry T. Burleigh (1866–1949) sang in the choir at St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church before performing at other local churches, until he left Erie for New York in 1892. The grandson of a formerly enslaved person, he became renowned for his classical adaptations of African-American spirituals, especially "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," whose refrain—"coming for to carry me home"—resonates with enduring hope. He collaborated with Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904), bringing these spirituals into the classical repertoire. Today, Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, dedicated May 4, 1980, on East 11th Street, bears his name. In 1894, Burleigh became a soloist at St. George's Episcopal Church in New York, with the deciding vote cast by financier J. P. Morgan (1837–1913). In 1994, Burleigh was "reinterred with an appropriate ceremony in the Erie Cemetery." ​ Ben White Christian Demographics of Erie ​ Erie County hosts roughly 227 Protestant congregations, with 142 holding theologically conservative views and 105 taking a more liberal stance. In 2020, 104,751 residents—about 39 percent of the county's 270,876 population—identified as religious. Mainline Protestants accounted for around 24,481 people, Evangelical Protestants 27,608, and Black Protestants 2,652, bringing the total number of Protestants in the county to approximately 48,694. These figures reflect the enduring presence and diversity of Protestant faith across Erie (" ARDA, 2020 "). Paleo-Christian Press Christian Education in the Erie Tri-State Area ​ The 2025 list of "Top 10 Best Erie County Private Schools" features several Christian academies, including Bethel Christian School (1781 W 38th St), Corry Alliance Academy (721 Hatch St, Corry), Erie First Christian Academy (8150 Oliver Rd), Leadership Christian Academy (5900 Sterrettania Rd, Fairview), Luther Memorial Academy (220 W 11th St), Open Door Christian Academy (11238 Route 8, Wattsburg), and Triumphant Life Christian Academy (5651 Perry Hwy). On August 29, 2023, Erie Preparatory Academy opened on the Erie Sports Center campus (8161 Oliver Rd). This private Christian school is affiliated with Cornerstone Christian Preparatory Academy in West Mifflin, near Pittsburgh. Grace Leadership Institute (701 Holland St), a ministry of Grace Church in McKean, trains and equips Christian leaders across Northwestern Pennsylvania. The institute occupies the former Swedish Baptist Church, built in 1906. Before Grace Leadership Institute moved in, Lake Erie Ballet used the building. Erie Insurance Company gifted the property to Grace Church in 2019 after two years of renovations. Jeff Brinling, a senior executive at Erie Insurance Company, said, "Grace Ministries has brought this building back to life and will be putting it to great use as the Grace Leadership Institute." The Association of Theological Schools oversees accredited seminaries in the United States and Canada from Pittsburgh. In the Erie tri-state area, these Christian seminaries and liberal arts schools provide rigorous theological education and ministry training: Pennsylvania BLI School of Ministry—Kairos University (United Methodist Church) in Freeport Geneva College (Reformed Presbyterian Church) in Beaver Falls Grove City College (Nondenominational) in Grove City Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church USA) in Pittsburgh Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Reformed Presbyterian) in Pittsburgh Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry (Anglican Church in North America) in Ambridge Ohio Allegheny Wesleyan College (Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection) in Salem Ashland Theological Seminary (Brethren Church) in Ashland Malone University (Evangelical Friends Church) in Canton New York Houghton University (Wesleyan Church USA) in Houghton Paleo-Christian Press Erie's Christian Businesses The Erie Christian Business Leaders Association (ECBLA) began in 2014 through a coalition of over 100 local churches and small businesses, organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for the Rock the Lakes concert at Erie Insurance Arena on September 27–28, 2014, which drew about 14,000 attendees. ECBLA unites Christian business owners and managers to meet regularly with community leaders to pray for societal reformation. They host a prayer breakfast each month at the Eden Center (2910 Sterrettania Rd). In the Erie–Meadville area, three Christian organizations operate with distinct missions. Erie City Mission (1017 French St), founded in 1911, declares it is "rooted in Jesus Christ. We go the second mile. We lay down our stones. In the city, for the city. We run to win the prize," with a vision of "cultivating a community of new life; breaking the cycle of hopelessness; building the kingdom of God!" The Bethany Outreach Center (254 E 10th St) operates as a Christian nonprofit, serving the community through a food pantry, clothing closet, free fitness sessions, and a Saturday story reading program. Loyal Christian Benefits Association (LCBA), a life insurance company "with a conscience," directs its profits to philanthropic work rather than capitalistic gain. Founded in 1890 as the Ladies Catholic Benevolent Association in Titusville, it rebranded in 1969 as Loyal Christian Benefits Association, keeping the LCBA initials while opening membership to all who believe in Jesus. Today, it serves over 33,000 Christians across thirty-five states and the District of Columbia and has operated from its current location at 8811 Peach St since 2012. Christian Faith Publishing, an independent publisher in Meadville, operates under the motto, "Telling HIS Stories." Their mission is "to discover and publish Christian authors who desire to make the greatest impact possible through the written word." The company holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is located at 832 Park Avenue. Paleo-Christian Press Christian Camps in Northwestern Pennsylvania Northwestern Pennsylvania hosts a total of eight Christian summer camps: Erie County Camp Judson (American Baptist Churches) in North Springfield WLD Ranch (Federated Church of East Springfield) in Girard Crawford County Mystic Mountain Training Center (Nondenominational) in Cambridge Springs Warren County Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions (Nondenominational) in Spring Creek Township Wesley Woods Christian Camp (United Methodist Church) in Grand Valley Venango County Seneca Hills Bible Camp & Retreat Center (Nondenominational) in Polk Whitehall Camp & Conference Center (Church of God Ministries) in Emlenton Lawrence County Pine Valley Camp (Nondenominational) in Ellwood City Paleo-Christian Press Christian Music in the Erie Tri-State Area ​ The contemporary Christian station WCTL (106.3 FM) blasts from Waterford, reaching listeners since 1967. Northwestern Pennsylvania erupts with Christian hard rock: RED—short for "Redemption"—formed in 2002 by brothers Anthony and Randy Armstrong in Linesville, storming stages in Erie, including the 2014 Rock the Lakes concert, powered by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Lacey Sturm, the former lead singer of Flyleaf, ignited crowds at Rock the Lakes before moving to Pittsburgh with her husband, guitarist Joshua Sturm, and releasing her solo albums, Life Screams in 2016 and  Kenotic Metanoia  in 2023. The Band 814 from Erie shattered the silence in 2023 with their first original album, Break Every Chain . Trinity Lutheran Church (14 E 38th St) fires up Holy Grounds Coffeehaus on Saturday nights, showcasing local Christian musicians. StillWaiting from Corry played the Extreme Tour in 2024, while African Gospel musician David Kambowa, arriving in 2013 from the Democratic Republic of Congo, commanded the Erie Blues & Jazz Festival stage in 2020. Shadow of the Statue from Meadville released their first full-length album, When There Are No Words , in 2019. Uncut Stones from Buffalo strike chords of worship and rock across the tri-state area. ApologetiX from Pittsburgh electrifies audiences by rewriting radio hits from the 1960s through the 2000s with Christian lyrics. The Letter Black, a hard rock quintet from Uniontown, continues to dominate the Greater Pittsburgh music scene. In Erie, Adventure Church energizes hearts through The Well, where local Christian musicians showcase their talents in various genres. Ben White Prayer Blessed are you, L ORD our God, King of the universe; you sent your Son among us to proclaim the kingdom of God in cities, towns, villages, and lonely places—behold and visit, we pray, the community of Erie. Renew the bonds of charity that uphold our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Deliver us from poverty, prejudice, and oppression that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice with mercy. Finally, bring us to your holy city, the new Jerusalem, where we shall know perfect unity and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Bibliography ​ "About GLI." Grace Leadership Institute. link . "About Us." Christian Faith Publishing. link . Bader, Christopher, and Andrew Whitehead. "Erie County, Pennsylvania—County Membership Report." Association of Religion Data Archives. 2020. link . Book of Common Prayer . Huntington Beach, CA: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019. Brooke-Stewart, Jeff. "John Colby, Preacher of the Gospel." Chepachet Free Will Baptist Church Society. link . ​ Burdick, Jonathan. "The Story of the Erie Triangle." Erie Reader . November 20, 2019. link . "Category: All Camps." PA Christian Camps. 2017. link . ​ Colby, John. The Life, Experience, and Travels of John Colby, Preacher of the Gospel . Lowell, MA: Thurston & Watson, 1838. ​ Darlington, Tracy. "RED Anthony Armstrong Interview." Title Trakk, 2008. link . ​ Eaton, S. J. M. History of the Presbytery of Erie: Embracing in Its Ancient Boundaries the Whole of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Northeastern Ohio—with Biographical Sketches of All Its Ministers and Historical Sketches of Its Churches . New York: Hurd & Houghton, 1868. Erie: A Guide to the City and County—Written and Compiled by the Erie County Unit of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania . London: Forgotten, 2018. "Erie Prep Academy Opening this Fall at the Erie Sports Center." Erie News Now. May 12, 2023. link . Graham, Franklin. "Photos: Rock the Lakes Erie Saturday." Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. September 28, 2014. link . "History of the Church." South Harborcreek United Methodist Church. link . "History of Erie County—History of the Courthouse." Erie County Courthouse. link . Johnson, Johnny. "Black History—Walk 2." Our West Bayfront. July 27, 2020. link . Kerr, Andy, and Cindy Matta. "Our Story." PrayErie. link . ​ ​Last, John. "Wesleyville Church Has a Remarkable History." Erie News Now. March 24, 2023. link . Lyon, Debbie. "Wesleyville Methodist Episcopal Church and the Underground Railroad." Old Time Erie (blog). January 27, 2013. link . McClintock, John, and James Strong. "Dehon Theodore, DD." The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature . New York: Harper & Brothers, 1880. ( link ). Michael, Troy. "Former Flyleaf Front Woman Lacey Sturm Proves That Hard Rock Is Not Dead with Life Screams ." Pittsburgh City Paper . February 1, 2017. link . Myers, Valerie. "Remembering 'New Jerusalem.'" Erie Times-News. February 15, 2018. link . "Obituary for Edward Young Buchanan." Carlisle Evening Herald . January 23, 1895. link . ​ "Overview." Erie's Public Schools—Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School. link . Richards, Dave. "Christian Rockers Red Play at Rock the Lakes." Erie Times-News . September 25, 2014. link . Root, James Pierce. Steere Genealogy . Cambridge, MA: Riverside, 1890. Sherry, Jeff. "Strong Vincent—' What Death More Glorious.'" Erie History (blog). Hagen History Center. August 28, 2020. link . ​ Skaggs, David Curtis. Oliver Hazard Perry: Honor, Courage, and Patriotism in the Early U.S. Navy . Library of Naval Biography. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2013. ​ Smith, Susan. "Erie County (PA) Genealogy—History of the Presbytery of Erie up to 1868." RootsWeb. link . ​ Snyder, Jean E. Harry T. Burleigh: From the Spiritual to the Harlem Renaissance . Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2016.​ Staff. "Rock the Lakes ERIE." Erie Times-News . October 26, 2014. link . ⸻. "What's in a Name: Wesleyville Settlers Chose Name of Methodism's Founder." Erie Times-News . April 5, 2010. link . Stevens, Lloyd P. A History of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Smithfield in Greenville, Rhode Island: A Pictorial History Directory . 1973.​ Thompson, Sarah S. Journey from Jerusalem: An Illustrated Introduction to Erie's African-American History, 1795 – 1995 . Erie, PA: Erie County Historical Society, 1996. link . "Top 10 Best Erie County Private Schools (2024–25)." Private School Review. link . Uveino, Jeff. "District 10 Approves Erie Preparatory Academy Membership. When Will Its Athletes Play in D-10?" Erie Times-News . August 9, 2023. link . ​ Wallace, Rebekah. "Erie Worship Band to Hold Free Concert, Album Release Party." The Corry Journal . April 28, 2023. link . Ward, Dan, and Heidi Ziemer. "The Burned-Over District" in Two Hundred Years on the Erie Canal . New York Heritage Digital Collections. September 20, 2019. ( link ). ​ Weiser, Becky. "Happiness and Long Life for All Its Residents." Erie History (blog). Hagen History Center. November 4, 2020. link . Whitman, Benjamin, ed. Nelson's Biographical Dictionary and Historical Reference Book of Erie County, Pennsylvania , Vol. 2. Erie, PA: Nelson, 1896. Woolum, Brandon. "Former Flyleaf Singer Lacey Sturm Releases Sophomore Solo Album' Kenotic Metanoia.'" CCM Magazine . November 17, 2023. link . Young, Brian. "About." Loyal Christian Benefits Association. link . ⸻. "Historical Timeline." link .

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First Century Christian Faith equips today's disciples through paleo-orthodoxy and the historical-grammatical method of Bible reading. Go to "Original Music."

First Century Christian Faith equips today's disciples through paleo-orthodoxy and the historical-grammatical method of Bible reading. Go to "home." PALEO-ORTHODOXY FOR TODAY'S DISCIPLES BLOG 1 / 21 5 Rights Leaders Have to Give Up As leaders, one of the hardest things to surrender is the need to manage how others perceive us. People will always tell stories from their own perspectives, and the full context is rarely shared. Sometimes, for the sake of confidentiality, protecting others, or simply doing what is right, we cannot explain our side. This can feel unjust—but it's part of the cost of leadership. Nichole Schreiber Aug 1 Spiritual Warfare in Pauline & Patristic Theology Paleo-Christian Press Introduction Within the Christian intellectual tradition, the motif of spiritual warfare is not merely a... James Collazo Jun 30 'The Benedict Option': A Populist Response In a world where identity politics and secularism create constant division, we should return to foundational truths that have proven James Collazo Nov 8, 2024 NTFE: A Translation with First-Century Eyes N. T. Wright observes, "For too long, we have read scripture with nineteenth-century eyes and sixteenth-century questions. It's time to James Collazo Dec 12, 2023 1 2 Articles New Testament Biographies Jesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth (Hebrew: Yeshua ha-Notzri—Greek: Iēsous ho Nazо̄raios) was born circa 6–4 BC (3758–3755 in the Hebrew calendar) in the Andrew of Bethsaida Andrew of Bethsaida (Hebrew: Geber ha-Bethtzaidi—Greek: Andreas tis Bēthsaidas) was born circa AD 8 (3768–3769 in the Hebrew calendar) in James son of Alphaeus James son of Alphaeus (Hebrew: Yaakov ben Halfai—Greek: Iakōbos ho tou Halphaiou) was born circa AD 15 (3775–3776 in the Hebrew calendar) in James of Jerusalem James son of Joseph (Hebrew: Yaakov ben Yosef—Greek: Iakо̄bos ton tou Iōsēph) was born circa AD 1 (3761–3762 in the Hebrew calendar) in the 1 2 3 4 5 Doctrine & Ministry Baptism: Immersed in Christ We often start with the Acts of the Apostles when discussing baptism. However, the topic of baptism should begin with Jesus' immersion in Communion: Partaking in Faith Food and drink bring people together more than any other aspect of life. Perhaps this is the reason Jesus taught us to ask for "our daily God's Will & Our Free Choices Although the mystery between God's will and our free choices is a complex theological matter, it is listed under "Doctrine & Ministry" Law, Grace & New Wine In his parable of the wineskins, Jesus taught, "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins 1 2 3 4 5 Exegesis & Discipleship A Saga of Seven Churches The first century was the best of church history; it was the worst of persecution, it was the age of faith, it was an age of fear, it was Blue: God's Favorite Color Did you know that God has a favorite color? Yes, he does! Which color is it? Blue! This color is the primary embroidery on Jewish prayer Calendar of the Church Many churches today decorate the sanctuary with banners and linens in specific colors for a time. The pastor may also wear a chasuble or Christology: Titles of Jesus Christology is the theological study of Jesus' identity as Christ or Messiah. Both of these words mean "anointed one," respectively, in 1 2 3 4 5 Theology & Biblical Studies Attachment Styles in Christian Context The Bible does not explicitly address psychological concepts like attachment styles. However, it does offer principles and perspectives that Auschwitz & Biblical Studies What indeed has Auschwitz to do with Jerusalem?—or with Cambridge, Chicago, Collegeville, Downers Grove, Grand Rapids, London, Minneapolis Axial Age & Christianity The Axial Age was between 500 and 300 BC when the world's major religious and spiritual traditions arose throughout Israel, Greece, India Biblical vs. Systematic Theology Churchgoers often say, "That's biblical," when they argue about their private interpretations or denominational traditions. This becomes a 1 2 3 4 5

First Century Christian Faith equips today's disciples through paleo-orthodoxy and the historical-grammatical method of Bible reading. Go to "quotes." Important Quotes Presbyterian minister, U.S. Senate chaplain Richard C. Halverson (1916–1995) "In the beginning, the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. They had a personal and vital relationship with the Lord, and it transformed their lives and the world around them. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. Finally, it moved to America, where it has become an enterprise" (Dunnam, pp. 31–32; Larson, p. 50). Methodist theologian, champion of paleo-orthodoxy Thomas C. Oden (1931–2016) "Contemporary cultures present no tougher challenges to Christianity than did the fall of Rome, the collapse of the medieval synthesis, the breakup of the unity of Christendom in the sixteenth century, or the French Enlightenment. Christian teaching today must be pursued amid a similar collapse of modern assumptions. . . . modernity has more catching up to do with classic Christianity. My passion is in the closest possible adherence to the texts of classic Christian teaching" (pp. viii–xiv). Lutheran author, public speaker, physiologist Lois Tverberg (b. 1967) "As the historical reality of Jesus comes into clearer focus, so too do his words and his claims. Over the past fifty years, archaeologists and biblical scholars have unearthed important texts and ancient clues to help us understand Jesus better. Indeed, we now have access to information about the first-century Jewish world that theologians in previous centuries hardly dreamed possible. Much of it reaffirms the reliability of the ancient documents, making many biblical scholars less skeptical today about the historical accuracy of the Bible than they've been in previous decades" (Spangler and Tverberg, p. 212). Evangelical theologian, apologist, philosopher J. P. Moreland (b. 1948) "The disciples had nothing to gain by lying . . . They faced hardship, ridicule, hostility, and martyrs' deaths. In light of this, they could never have sustained such unwavering motivation if they knew what they were preaching was a lie. The disciples were not fools, and Paul was a cool-headed intellectual of the first rank. There would have been several opportunities over three to four decades of ministry to reconsider and renounce a lie" (pp. 171–72). Anglican minister, theologian, founder of Methodism John Wesley (1703–1791) "Persecution never did, never could, give any lasting wound to genuine Christianity. But the greatest it ever received, the grand blow which was struck at the very root of that humble, gentle, patient love, which is the fulfilling of the Christian law, the whole essence of true religion, was struck in the fourth century by Constantine the Great when he called himself a Christian and poured in a flood of riches, honors, and power upon the Christians; more especially upon the clergy" (pp. 261–62). Anglican bishop, biblical scholar, theologian N. T. Wright (b. 1948) "History was where Paul looked to see the roots of the story whose climax he believed was Jesus Christ. History is where we have to go if, as we say, we want to listen to Scripture itself rather than the venerable traditions of later church leaders or the less venerable footnotes of more recent scholars. For too long, we have read Scripture with nineteenth-century eyes and sixteenth-century questions. It's time to get back to reading with first-century eyes and twenty-first-century questions" (p. 37). Wesleyan theologian, philosopher, apologist William Lane Craig (b. 1949) "It would have been virtually impossible for the disciples to proclaim the resurrection in Jerusalem had the tomb not been empty. The empty tomb is a sine qua non of the resurrection. . . . When, therefore, the disciples began to preach the resurrection in Jerusalem, and people responded, and the religious authorities stood hopelessly by, the tomb must have been empty. The fact that the Christian fellowship, founded on the belief in Jesus' resurrection, could come into existence and flourish in the very city where he was executed and buried seems powerful evidence for the historicity of the empty tomb" (p. 369). Evangelical minister, public speaker, broadcaster Tony Evans (b. 1949) "Far too often, we have limited the definition of the church. While not in all cases, in many cases, 'church' has become an informational, inspirational weekly gathering rather than the group of people that God has ordained from heaven to operate on his behalf on earth in order to bring heaven's viewpoint into history. There needs to be a recalibrating of many of our churches to the unified purpose of the Kingdom of God." Bibliography Craig, William Lane. Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus . Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2024. Dunnam, Maxie D. Cultivating a Thoughtful Faith . Edited by Stephen G. W. Moore. Nashville, Abingdon, 2005. Evans, Tony. "Opinion: America's Current Violence Can Be Traced to Christians' Failures." The Washington Post . July 9, 2016. link . Larson, Bruce. Wind and Fire: Living Out the Book of Acts . Waco, TX: Word, 1984. Moreland, J. P. Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul . Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2012. Oden, Thomas C. Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology . San Francisco: HarperOne, 2009. Spangler, Ann, and Lois Tverberg. Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. Wesley, John. The Works of the Rev. John Wesley . Vol. 6. 5th ed. London: John Mason, 1860. Wright, N. T. Justification: God's Plan & Paul's Vision . Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2016.