church-history

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

Peter’s Primacy in the Early Church Members Public

In this article I will reference statements from some of the greatest theologians, apologists, scholars, bishops and/or sons to show that the unanimous belief of the universal Church was that Peter was the chief and head of all the holy and blessed Apostles. All emphasis will be mine. Epistle

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
churchchurch-historycatholicism

Augustine on 2 Cor. 5:21 Members Public

I cite from St. Augustine’s The Enchiridion, in order to illustrate how this blessed saint of the Church interpreted the phrase in 2 Cor. 5:21 that Jesus was made sin to mean that Christ came into the flesh so as to become a sacrifice for our sins. All

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
atonementsacrificetheology

Why the Church is Called Catholic Members Public

The oldest extant written mention of the term Catholic, as applied to the Church, is found in one of the letters of the holy martyr St. Ignatius, who was a disciple of the Apostles and the Bishop of Rome: Chapter 8. Let nothing be done without the bishop See that

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
catholiccatholicismchurch

Chrysostom, Baptism & the Gospel Members Public

In this article I will be sharing St. John Chrysostom’s exposition on 1 Corinthians 1:13-17, a text which heretics abuse to disprove the necessity and centrality of water baptism for salvation. All emphasis will be mine. 1 Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided. What he says comes

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
baptismgospelsalvation

Chrysostom, 1 Cor. 8:6 & the Trinity Members Public

I quote from the homilies of St. John Chrysostom, considered to be one of the greatest theologians and biblical exegetes of the Faith, in respect to 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. All emphasis will be mine. 1 Corinthians 8:4 4. Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinitybibletheology

Early Church Fathers & the Shema Members Public

The inspired NT writings take the Greek rendering of the following OT text, which is considered to be the heart of the Jewish religion, “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one!” Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord (kyrios ho theos

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historytrinityjudaism

Phil. 2:5-11, God’s Form & Novatian Members Public

Paul seems to be quoting either an early Christian hymn, creed and/or poem, which celebrates Christ’s prehuman divine existence, subsequent human incarnation, and post-resurrection exaltation to divine status, thereby resulting in his being worshiped by the entire creation:  “In your relationships with one another, have the same

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
philippiansjesus-christtrinity

St. Augustine, the Trinity & the Filioque Members Public

The following excerpt is taken from St. Augustine’s Tractates on the Gospel of John wherein he discusses the procession of the Holy Spirit from both the Father and the Son. All emphasis will be mine. Tractate 99 John 16:13 1. What is this that the Lord said of

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinityholy-spirittheology
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