church-history

Historical studies on the development of Christian doctrine, early church writings, councils, and controversies.

St. Optatus, Peter’s Primacy & the Papacy Members Public

This lengthy extract from St. Optatus is taken from Optatus of Milevis, Against the Donatists (1917) Book 2. pp. 57-119. His statements affirm that the Roman Church is the See of Peter, and the grounds of unity which makes the Church one and universal. He further argues that to deviate

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
catholiccatholicismchurch

St. Maximus, Pope Honorius & the Papacy Members Public

I share the following article on St. Maximus the Confessor from CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Maximus of Constantinople. St. Maximus of Constantinople Known as the Theologian and as Maximus Confessor, born at Constantinople about 580; died in exile 13 August, 662. He is one of the chief names in the Monothelite

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historycatholicismorthodoxy

Gelasian Decree Pope Damasus & the Canon Members Public

The Gelasian Decree (Decretum Gelasianum) is a Latin document dating from the 6th century AD, and is believed to be based on the decree of Pope Gelasius I (492-496 AD).  The document mentions the canon list ratified by the Council (Synod) of Rome under the authority of Pope Damasus in

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonchurch-historycatholicism

Samuel Clarke’s Trinitarian Subordinationism Members Public

Dr. Samuel Clarke (1675-1729) was a Church of England divine who became the rector of the parish church of St. James, Westminster, a position he held until his death in 1729. Clarke became the focus of intense and heated controversy due to his unorthodox, “heterodox” views of the Trinity, which

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinitytheologychurch-history

Origen, Susanna & OT Canon Members Public

I share Origen’s defense of the canonicity of the “History of Susanna,” which all the ancient apostolic communions accept as sacred Scripture. Origen refutes the objections raised against the book’s authenticity, and explains why the Jews rejected it. In his response, Origen shows his great familiarity with the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonapocryphadaniel

Martyrdom of Peter’s Wife Members Public

According to Clement of Alexandria, there was a tradition which stated that Peter’s wife was martyred as the blessed Apostle looked and encouraged her:   They say, accordingly, that the blessed Peter, on seeing his wife led to death, rejoiced on account of her call and conveyance home, and called

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historysaintschristianity

Justin Martyr on Isa. 42:8 & Christ’s Glory Members Public

In this post I will be excerpting a section from St. Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, in which the blessed saint sets out to prove the following: 1. The Scriptures are inerrant, having no real contradictions. 2. The Jewish elders reject specific verses from the Greek version

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historyisaiahjesus-christ

Augustine on the Holy Eucharist Members Public

According to noted Protestant historian J.N.D Kelly, St. Augustine did indeed affirm that the Eucharist does in fact become the actual flesh, body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: If Ambrose’s influence helped to mediate the doctrine of a physical change to the West,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
eucharistcatholicismchurch-history
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