theology
Doctrinal studies addressing key themes in Christian belief through Scripture and sound exegesis.
Augustine, Jews, Philosophers & God Paid Members Public
Here is what the great saint wrote in respect to whether the Jews worshiped God or not, and also in regards to the Greek philosophers like Plato agreeing with Christianity if they were alive to have seen it spread: iv, 6. Those who think it a vain or even a
Athanasius & the Arian Creeds Paid Members Public
This lengthy extract is from Athanasius’ De Synodis. It chronicles the beliefs of Arius and those who believed like him, and further details some of the many councils and creeds which followed after Nicaea in order to either overturn it or revise it. What makes these creedal formulations rather peculiar,
EO, ISLAM, & ECUMENISM Paid Members Public
The following is taken from Angeliki Ziaka’s article “103. Orthodoxy and Islam – major Concerns for Orthodox Engagement,” pp. 676-686, in the Orthodox Handbook on Ecumenism: Resources for Theological Education, published by Regnum Studies in Global Christianity, 2013, being an imprint of Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. This handbook was
VATICAN II, THE CATECHISM & WORLD RELIGIONS Paid Members Public
In this post I will quote what the official documents of the Catholic Church teach in respect to the world’s religions and how salvation is to be obtained. I begin with what Catechism of the Catholic Church says. All emphasis will be mine: The Church and non-Christians 839 “Those
Justin Martyr, Greek Philosophers & Christ Paid Members Public
St. Justin Martyr believed and taught that prehuman Logos or Word of God had made himself know even to the Greek philosophers, which is why they were aware and spoke of the Logos. He believed that Christ, who is the uncreated Logos, did this in order to prepare them for
Gregory Palamas on the Muslim God Paid Members Public
St. Gregory mentions a dialogue he had with a group of Turkish Muslims. What makes his comments rather amazing is that he affirms that both the Muslims and himself are calling upon one and the same God, even though these Turks are ignorant of the fact that this God whom
EO on Communion with Heretics/Schismatics Paid Members Public
According to the canons of the Eastern Orthodox faith, no one can have communion with heretics or schismatics and still remain in good standing with the Church. This applies to the clergy as well: Canon XXXII of the council of Laodicea states: “That one must not accept blessings of heretics,
CALVIN’S SCHIZOPHRENIC, DUPLICITOUS GOD Paid Members Public
John Calvin saw a tension between his belief in God having freely, sovereignly decreed to save only the elect whom he would effectual bring to saving faith in Christ with those statements in Scripture that affirm God desiring, wanting, willing and calling all mankind to salvation in Christ. In order