salvation

Biblical defense and explanation of salvation, grace, faith, and redemption.

Early Christians Refute Sola Fide Members Public

In this post I will cite some early 2nd-3d century Christians witnesses that all define saving faith as obedience to Christ’s commandments. Some of these authorities also demonstrate that the works of righteousness which Paul opposed, were those of the Mosaic, meaning that the blessed Apostle was censuring anyone

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
faithsalvationchristianity

The Apostle John’s Love of Christ’s Lost Sheep Members Public

The following historical anecdote is taken from Eusebius’ Church History, Book III. It shows the great love that John had for Christ’s flock and his willingness to sacrifice everything for their salvation. All emphasis is mine. Chapter 23. Narrative Concerning John the Apostle. 1. At that time the apostle

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historyjesusorthodoxy

Clement of Alexandria: The God of the Jews, Greeks & Post-Mortem Salvation Members Public

I quote a particular section from St. Clement of Alexandria’s The Stromata, or Miscellanies, Book VI. In it, he cites a writing attributed to Peter to show that the Jews and Greeks worship the same God of Christians, and also addresses the Lord’s descent into Hades to preach

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
angelschristianitychurch-history

The Christology of Pseudo-Clement Members Public

In this post I will be referencing two pseudonymous works attributed to St. Clement of Rome. Despite the fact that scholars question the authenticity of these writings, they still serve as an early witness, in fact a 2nd–4th century testimony, to the beliefs of the Christians which composed them.

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
jesusgodholy-spirit

Rabbis, Isa. 59:20 & the Divine Messiah Members Public

Isaiah prophesied that YHWH would personally come to redeem Israel from all their transgressions, since YHWH was unable to find any mere creature worthy enough to work through for this purpose:   “So it is that truth is missing; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself plunder. Then Yahweh

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
isaiahgodisrael

Augustine, Hypostatic Union & Christ as Lesser than Himself Members Public

The quotations from St. Augustine are taken from On the Trinity, Book 1. Augustine will cite texts such as 1 John 5:20, where Jesus is called the true God and eternal life, to prove that Christ is one divine Person who operates in/by/through two natures since he

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
jesustrinitygod

Judaism Agrees: The Righteous Save the World Members Public

It may come as a surprise to learn that rabbinic Judaism teaches that God saves mankind by ordaining that the righteous suffer for the sins of the world as an atonement. Here’s what the 18th century Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto wrote in this respect:  [8] Besides this, there is

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
judaismatonementgod

The Atoning Blood of Isaac Members Public

Remarkably, there is a tradition within Judaism, which claims that Isaac was actually killed/slaughtered and then raised back to life. There are also traditions that even go as far as to connect Isaac’s willingness to be bound and slaughtered with atonement for sins. For instance, the belief that

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
atonementjudaismresurrection
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