church-history
Historical studies on the development of Christian doctrine, early church writings, councils, and controversies.
Augustine, Jews, Philosophers & God Paid Members Public
Here is what the great saint wrote in respect to whether the Jews worshiped God or not, and also in regards to the Greek philosophers like Plato agreeing with Christianity if they were alive to have seen it spread: iv, 6. Those who think it a vain or even a
Athanasius & the Arian Creeds Paid Members Public
This lengthy extract is from Athanasius’ De Synodis. It chronicles the beliefs of Arius and those who believed like him, and further details some of the many councils and creeds which followed after Nicaea in order to either overturn it or revise it. What makes these creedal formulations rather peculiar,
EO, ISLAM, & ECUMENISM Paid Members Public
The following is taken from Angeliki Ziaka’s article “103. Orthodoxy and Islam – major Concerns for Orthodox Engagement,” pp. 676-686, in the Orthodox Handbook on Ecumenism: Resources for Theological Education, published by Regnum Studies in Global Christianity, 2013, being an imprint of Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. This handbook was
VATICAN II, THE CATECHISM & WORLD RELIGIONS Paid Members Public
In this post I will quote what the official documents of the Catholic Church teach in respect to the world’s religions and how salvation is to be obtained. I begin with what Catechism of the Catholic Church says. All emphasis will be mine: The Church and non-Christians 839 “Those
Justin Martyr, Greek Philosophers & Christ Paid Members Public
St. Justin Martyr believed and taught that prehuman Logos or Word of God had made himself know even to the Greek philosophers, which is why they were aware and spoke of the Logos. He believed that Christ, who is the uncreated Logos, did this in order to prepare them for
EO on Communion with Heretics/Schismatics Paid Members Public
According to the canons of the Eastern Orthodox faith, no one can have communion with heretics or schismatics and still remain in good standing with the Church. This applies to the clergy as well: Canon XXXII of the council of Laodicea states: “That one must not accept blessings of heretics,
John Calvin & the Book of Baruch Paid Members Public
In his commentary on 1 Cor. 10:20, the Swiss Reformer John Calvin believed that the blessed Apostle borrowed the language of the following verse from the deutero-canonical writing Baruch: “For you provoked the one who made you by sacrificing to demons and not to God.” Baruch 4:7 New
Origen on Prayer & Intercession of Saints Paid Members Public
Here will be quoting from the English translation of Origen on Prayer, published by Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, pp. 25-29. Origen lists four different types or moods of prayer, which can be broken down as: 1. Request. 2. Prayer. 3. Intercession. 4. Thanksgiving Origen permits that requests,