2025

2025 articles

St. Justin, Paul & Marcion the Heretic Members Public

It is common to hear specific internet apologists suggesting that St. Justin Martyr didn’t have access to, or was aware of, the canon of the New Testament since that took centuries to hammer out. They often argue that Justin’s writings indicate that he didn’t even have Paul’

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonchurch-historybible

Justin Affirms: Christ is God’s Uncreated Word Members Public

In this short post I will cite from St. Justin’s discussion with Trypho the Jew in order to silence the heretics who claim that this blessed martyr taught that Christ is an inferior creature, a secondary god, whom the Father brought into existence. The quotes from Justin prove that

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
jesus-christchristianitytheology

Mary’s Blessedness Revisited Members Public

By Father Chris Kappes “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28) in light of Luke 1:29: “And when she heard the word, she was troubled” Introduction A classic place to start for puzzles concerning Mary is the seemingly disparaging and

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
marycatholicismtheology

Irenaeus on Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians Members Public

Here’s what St. Irenaeus wrote in respect to the letter that St. Polycarp had written to the Church at Philippi: 4. But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historyphilippianschristianity

The Trinity in Neofiti Revisited Members Public

I quote from the English translation of Targum Neofiti 1: Genesis (The Aramaic Bible 1A), translated with Apparatus and Notes by Martin McNamara, M.S.C, and published by The Liturgical Press in 1992. All emphasis will be mine. CHAPTER 1 1. From the beginning1 with wisdoma the Memra2 of

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinitygenesistorah

Protestant Historian, Early Church & Baruch Members Public

The following excerpt is taken from Philip Schaff: ANF06. Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius, and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius. It is taken from Methodius’ Banquet of the Ten Virgins; or Concerning Chastity. The noted Protestant historian Schaff acknowledged that the 2nd-3rd century

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historyapocryphacanon

John 1:18 – The Only Begotten Son Members Public

The following post is taken from James E. Snapp’s blog: John 1:18 – The Only Begotten Son. In the preceding three posts about John 1:18, we have considered (1) the case for rendering μονογενὴς as “only begotten,” (2) some patristic evidence for rival readings in John 1:18,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
jesus-christtheologytrinity

Jesus Christ: God’s Word/Wisdom Incarnate Members Public

In this post I will show how the inspired [N]ew [T]estament authors employed the depiction of both Wisdom and Word found throughout the [O]ld [T]estament writings to describe the work and Person of Christ. I will demonstrate that Jesus is portrayed as the embodiment and personification

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
jesus-christwisdomtheology
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