When I first considered writing a review of “The Ecclesia at Ephesus” by Bro. Ryan Mutter I almost abandoned the idea. My initial reluctance was due to two factors. The first drawback was the fact that Bro. Ryan and I attend the same ecclesia. I consider Ryan to be friend and I did not want to be put in a position where I might criticize his work. Especially when I knew first hand how emotionally invested he had been in developing this material. Many times Ryan had shared the lessons from his research on the Ephesian ecclesia in Bible Class, Sunday School and by Exhortation. However, the experiences of listening to the variety of Ryan’s presentations on Ephesus made it unlikely that I would not appreciate this book.
The second factor that held me back, at first, from reviewing the book was the fact that I am not very well-read as a Christadelphian. I often find many long-form writings in our community to be overly academic in tone and full of our own jargon. As a result, I was not sure that I was best qualified to provide a review. In the end, my confidence in the material that I had personally heard from Bro. Ryan led me to read the “The Ecclesia at Ephesus.”
The book tells the story of the first century ecclesia based in the wealthy city of Ephesus in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). By weaving together the accounts in the book of Acts, with references from the letters of Paul and some noteworthy historical research, Bro. Ryan brings to life a story about brothers and sisters who are not very different from ourselves. The book places an emphasis on the spiritual lessons to be learned by considering the events, people and culture of Ephesus. Those lessons are relevant for any believer, regardless of age or experience. They are communicated clearly and concisely in manner that is most helpful for those new to living in a community of believers. As a result, I recommend the book for all brothers and sisters, but especially for those who are newly baptized or young adults.
The best word I can come up with to describe this book is “accessible.” This description is meant as a great compliment. The story of the Ephesus ecclesia is easy to understand and serves as a practical guide on how to use Scripture for personal development. The organization of the book itself offers instruction. The use of text boxes to highlight points of spiritual importance is particularly helpful. These boxes offer valuable reminders to the reader of how we apply the lessons of Scripture in our lives. The text boxes also make for a ready-made guide to go back and re-read sections of the book.
These highlighted lessons speak to a process that all young, or new, believers must go through as they mature. It is not enough to be informed. The Bible demands that our behavior be influenced for the better by an improved understanding of God’s principles. Those principles are seen more easily when witnessed in the lives of believers that have gone before us (in this case the ecclesia members in Ephesus). This heightened awareness is encouraged through text box titles such as “Reaching out to those in need”, or “Having direction in our lives.”
Bro. Ryan has also provided context for our reading of many events recorded in the New Testament. A prime example is the historical and cultural background of Ephesus outlined in Chapters 3 and 4. These two chapters give insight into the infamous riot at Ephesus (Acts 19). By describing not only the physical structure of Diana’s temple, but also the culture of a city centered on the temple’s social and economic influence, we better understand the challenges faced by the fledgling ecclesia. These early Christians were people drawn out from a culture that was self-serving in every way. Their commitment to Jesus was both remarkable and courageous. The drama of the riot is properly positioned as the angry response to the threat Christianity posed to the financial profit, as gained from work related to the idolatrous practices associated with the Ephesians’ worship of Diana.
Later in Chapter 11, this background offers a valuable perspective as we consider Paul’s message in the Book of Ephesians. In particular, the reader gains a greater appreciation for Paul’s words in Eph 2:21 when he tells the brethren that each of them have a place in God’s plan: “in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” This is a powerful concept for people living in the literal shadow of a temple that earned a place among the so-called seven wonders of the ancient world. Bro. Ryan suggests, and I think correctly, that Paul purposefully uses imagery of a temple precisely because it would make such a strong impression upon the believers in Ephesus.
This section of the book follows with an examination of how a diverse group of believers can, and should, build upon the core concepts that have brought them together to become a single household, or temple, dedicated to God. Paul’s inspirational message that there is one body one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God, stood in sharp contrast to the culture that surrounded the Ephesians. And, those same principles of unity and singleness of heart still resonate with our 21st century challenges to discipleship.
This narrative style connects the culture of Ephesus, and the life experience of these ecclesia members, with the lasting instruction of Paul’s letter. This is where “The Ecclesia at Ephesus” succeeds: making the story of Ephesus our story as well. The book is not simply a snapshot of Ephesus’ place in Bible history. Ephesus becomes the lens by which we see own community, our own ecclesia and our own journey as a believer. For that reason “The Ecclesia at Ephesus” is well worth the read.
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