INTRODUCTIONUnder the intriguing title "The Adjective of Antioch", the Rev. M. P. Krikorian confronts his readers with a new, clear, comprehensive definition of that which is Christian.
As has often been the case in the history of Christ's church, today, again, the meaning of Christian faith is being questioned. The value of Christian ideals is being challenged. The strength of Christian ideas is being discounted. The Biblical concept of the Christian life is much distorted. How important, then, for those who seek to know and follow truth to re-examine, check and verify these concepts, ideas and ideals.
Furthermore, this great adjective—Christian—has been applied frequently where its use is questionably relevant. Against the background of our American heritage of religious faith and life we speak freely of—the Christian home, the Christian school, the Christian college, the Christian community, the Christian nation. By casual misuse men profane this sacred adjective.
Rev. Krikorian in this book sets the term "Christian" in its true perspective. With consummate skill and fine artistry, with rich erudition and effective illustration the author leads us back to the Biblical definition of "Christian". Yet, his message is not only Biblical, but is timely and life related. Ethical obligations and moral responsibilities emerge with duty in clear perspective. The discerning concepts of truth are practical, heartwarming and faith building.
The message of the book is made vital by its sustained undertone of faith in the supernatural. The miraculous redemptive grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is exalted. These martyr Christians, who worthily bore the name, these unconquerable souls—were what they were by the en-ablement of divine grace. These "new creatures in Christ", anointed, filled and "fired" by the Holy Spirit lived, loved, served and died, building the kingdom of God amidst the changing scenes of a sinful society.
I commend for wide reading this volume from the pen of my long time friend, the author. His vivid, expressive style achieves the end and aim of good literature—to make one to see the truth and to cause him to feel the meaning of that truth. To receive the message of this book will result in the reader's knowing by experience the significance of "the adjective of Antioch".
C. N. Hosteller, Jr., President Messiah College Grantham, Pennsylvania
“Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with the Church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
Acts 11:25-26
St. Luke (The author)
"Not Jerusalem, but Antioch, not the Holy City of God's ancient people, but the profane city of the Greeks and Romans, is the place to which the student of sacred history is now directed as the Patriarchate of the primitive Church."
Conybeare and Howson