church-history

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

Chrysostom, Samaritans and God Members Public

I quote from St. John Chrysostom’s Homilies on the Gospel of John, Homily 33 John 4:23-27., where he affirmed that the Samaritans were indeed worshiping God, albeit in an imperfect manner. All emphasis will be mine. John 4:21-22 Jesus says unto her, Woman, believe Me,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historysaintsworship

Gregory of Nyssa, the Jews and God Members Public

Here’s what this great saint of the Church wrote about the Jews worshiping the one true God: But with regard to service and worship, and the other things which they so nicely calculate about, and bring into prominence, we say this; that the Holy Spirit is exalted above all

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historysaintsjudaism

Chrysostom and the Angel of the Lord Members Public

Here is what this great saint had to say in his exegesis of Acts 7:30, in respect to the Angel that appeared to Moses: And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
angelsmoseschurch-history

EO Saint Calls Krishna, Buddha & Abu Bakr Holy Men! Members Public

In his writing titled The Agony of the Church, the EO Saint Rev. Nicholai Velimirovic, D.D, called the first Muslim caliph Abu Bakr, the Hindu god Khrisna, Buddha, Confucius, Zoroaster, and Lao Tze saints or holy men! He even included some pagan figures/gods in his list!   First of

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
orthodoxysaintsislam

Palamas and Islam Revisited Members Public

In this post I will be quoting from Gregory Palamas: The Hesychast Controversy and the Debate with Islam, Translated Texts for Byzantinists, Volume 8, translated with an introduction and notes by Norman Russell, published by Liverpool University Press, 2020. Palamis assumes that both Christians and the Turkish Muslims have the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
orthodoxyislamtheology

St. Jerome on Illustrious Men Members Public

I quote a part of St. Jerome’s De Viris Illustribus (Illustrious Men), in which he writes in respect to some of the most influential Christians that ever lived, starting with specific Apostles of our Lord. The details he gives about their lives, works and even deaths are truly remarkable

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historysaintschristianity

Zwingli On Mary’s Perpetual Virginity Members Public

Huldrych (Ulrich) Zwingli was a prominent magisterial Protestant reformer who even opposed Martin Luther in respect to core doctrines such as the holy Eucharist, which he denied became the actual body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet despite his vehement opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, Zwingli actually

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
marychurch-historytheology

Justin Martyr: Jews Worship the Same God Members Public

In his dialogue with Trypho the Jew and his companions, the great saint and martyr Justin Martyr acknowledged that both Jews and Christians worship the same exact God. I cite the relevant section of that discussion. All emphasis will be mine.   Chapter 10. Trypho blames the Christians for this alone—

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historychristianityjudaism
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