christianity

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

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

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

Irenaeus, Jesus’ Age & Apostolic Tradition Members Public

I cite a section from St. Irenaeus’ Adversus haereses (“Against Heresies”), where he explicitly states that the elders/bishops personally received and were taught a tradition from the Apostles such as John that our Lord was older than thirty, and was in fact in his forties when his earthly ministry

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historychristianityjesus

A NT Text Critic on John 1:18 & 1 Tim. 3:16 Members Public

In this postI will citefrom Tommy Wasserman’s, “Misquoting Manuscripts? The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture Revisited,” in The Making of Christianity: Conflicts, Contacts, and Constructions: Essays in Honor of Bengt Holmberg, ConBNT 47, edited by Magnus Zetterholm and Samuel Byrskog, and published by Eisenbrauns Winona Lake, IN, 2012, pp. 341-345.

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
biblechristianityjesus-christ

Origen, Hippolytus on Infant Baptism Members Public

I quote what prolific church writer Origen and prominent Christian theologian Hippolytus of Rome wrote in respect to the baptism of infants and little children. Origen (11) Therefore our body is the body of sin, for it is not written that Adam knew his wife Eve and became the father

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
baptismchurch-historychristianity

St. Cyprian: No Church Without the Bishop Members Public

Here is what the blessed Cyprian wrote in respect to the authority, centrality and necessity of the Bishop: 3. But with respect to what you have said, that priests should be lowly, because both the Lord and His apostles were lowly; both all the brethren and Gentiles also well know

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
churchchurch-historycatholicism
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