christianity

Defense and explanation of Christian doctrine, practice, and worldview through rigorous biblical argumentation.

Early Church on Creatio Ex Nihilo Members Public

In this post I will cite some of the very early witnesses for the Church’s belief in the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo, that God created all things from nothing. All emphasis is mine. The Shepherd of Hermas (Book II) Commandment 1 On Faith in God. First of all,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historygodtheology

More 2nd Century Witnesses to Christ’s Deity Members Public

In this short post I will be citing excerpts from two early 2nd century writers on Christ’s Deity, the first will be from a Christian and the second from a pagan satirist. All emphasis will be mine. Aristides the Philosopher 2. Since, then, we have addressed you concerning God,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
jesusgodtheology

The Relatives of Jesus Members Public

The article that I am posting can be accessed here: The Relatives of Jesus. The Relatives of Jesus By Richard Bauckham Careful readers of the NT know that one of Jesus’ relatives, his brother James, played a prominent part in the early history of the church. Not so well known

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
jesuschristianitychurch-history

Syriac Recension of St. Ignatius’ Letters Members Public

The excerpts cited here are taken from The Antient Syriac Version of the Epistles of St. Ignatius to St. Polycarp, the Ephesians, and the Romans Together with Extracts from His Epistles, Collected from the Writings of Severus of Antioch, Timotheus of Alexandria, and Others: Edited with an English Translation and

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historychristianitygod

Bart Ehrman, Ignatius, the Trinity, & the True Church Members Public

In this post I will be quoting from the work The Apostolic Fathers, Volume I: I Clement. II Clement. Ignatius. Polycarp. Didache, edited and translated by Bart D. Ehrman, and published in 2003 by Harvard University Press. I will be citing Ehrman’s translation of St. Ignatius’ seven letters in

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinityholy-spiriteucharist

The Trinity in Isaiah 48:16? Members Public

There are some Christians that believe that there is a specific verse in the book of Isaiah, which explicitly points to the Trinity. It is Isaiah 48:16, the context of which I quote so the readers can see why this passage is taken as evidence for the Trinity. Isaiah

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
isaiahtrinitychristianity

Ignatius on Christ as the Uncreated, Timeless & Ageless God Members Public

In this post I will be citing three different English translations of specific letters from St. Ignatius, in which this holy Bishop of Antioch, Syria and Christian martyr, speaks of Christ existing without chronology and without age, stating that the risen Lord is unborn and beyond/ above all time/season.

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
christianitychurch-historygod

Creed of the Council of Antioch 325 AD Members Public

The following is adapted from this post: Creed of the Antioch Council of 325. All emphasis will be mine. 8. Ἔστιν οὖν ἡ πίστις, ἣ προετέθη ὑπ’ ἀνδρῶν, πνευματικῶν καὶ οὺς αὖθις οὐ δίκαιον νομίφειν κατὰ σάρκα τῆν ἢ νοεῖν, ἀλλὰ ἐν πνεύματι ταῖς τῶν θεοπνεύστων βιβλίων ἁγίαις γραφαῖς συνησκῆσθαι,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historychristianitytheology
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