church-history

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

Novatian: Christ as Angel and Begotten God Members Public

In this post I will be citing from Novatian’s exposition of the Holy Trinity where he affirms Christ to be begotten before time and creation, having been eternally existing within God the Father. Novatian also testifies to Jesus’ being the divine Angel of the Father. All emphasis will be

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinityjesus-christangels

Gregory Nazianzen: God is the Trinity Members Public

The following excerpts are from St. Gregory Nazianzen’s Orations, specifically Oration 38. The readers will see how this holy servant of Christ emphatically states that by the term God he means the Trinity. All emphasis is mine. VIII. And when Infinity is considered from two points of view, beginning

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinitygodtheology

Irenaeus on the Unity of the Faith Members Public

I quote what the holy martyr and saint of the Church Irenaeus said in regards to the universal beliefs of Christians around the world. It is important to keep in mind that Irenaeus wrote around 180 AD, and was the Bishop of Lyons, France, being the disciples of the Bishop

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historytheologychristianity

Gregory of Nyssa: Say Not 3 Gods! Members Public

I share here St. Gregory of Nyssa’s letter to Ablabius where he censures those who claim or justify any attempt of describing the Trinity as three Gods, This great saint was also quick to point out that by the term God he simply means the Trinity. All emphasis will

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinitytheologyorthodoxy

ST. BASIL: JESUS AS GOD’S ANGEL & BEGOTTEN WISDOM Members Public

The following excerpts are taken from The Fathers of the Church Patristic Series: St. Basil the Great Against Eunomus, translated by Mark DelCogliano and Andrew Radde-Gallwitz, published by The Catholic University of America Press, 2014, pp. 146-162. These references from this great saint demonstrate his belief in Jesus being the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
jesus-christtrinityangels

Origen’s Christology Revisited Members Public

The second-third century AD Christian writer, theologian and martyr Origen was truly an astounded figure in Church history. His insights, though flawed in so many ways, were at the same time remarkable, which is perhaps why his writings were preserved even though he was later condemned as a heretic. In

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historytheologyjesus-christ

Eusebius: Jesus as Eternal Wisdom & Angel Members Public

Eusebius of Caesarea was a noted historian who wrote a comprehensive history of Christianity, beginning with the eternal generation of the Word and his subsequent human incarnation from the blessed Virgin, and culminating with events taking place at his time (circa 324 AD). Eusebius states that Christ is the eternally

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historyjesus-christtrinity

TRINITY IN IRENAEUS & TERTULLIAN Members Public

In this post I sum up some of the clearest testimonies to the Trinitarian beliefs of Irenaeus and Tertullian. All emphasis will be mine. IRENAEUS 9… But there is one only God, the Creator— He who is above every Principality, and Power, and Dominion, and Virtue: He is Father, He

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinitychurch-historytheology
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