theology

Doctrinal studies addressing key themes in Christian belief through Scripture and sound exegesis.

Eastern Orthodox on Islam, Judaism & Other Churches Members Public

The statements cited here are taken from For the Life of the World: Toward A Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church, published by Holy Cross Orthodox Press in 2020. The document can be accessed at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website: Social Ethos Document. Here is the PDF Version.

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
orthodoxyislamjudaism

Apocrypha & Messiah’s Deity Pt. 2 Members Public

There are two remarkable statements in the apocryphal writing 2 Esdras, which confirm Jesus’ Divinity and Messianic status. They show that Jesus did indeed make himself out to be God by carrying out the very functions, which even the so-called Apocrypha ascribe to God. Israel Rejects YHWH their God According

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
apocryphamessiahjesus-christ

Origen on Prayer & Intercession of Saints Members Public

Here will be quoting from the English translation of Origen on Prayer, published by Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, pp. 25-29. Origen lists four different types or moods of prayer, which can be broken down as: 1. Request. 2. Prayer. 3. Intercession. 4. Thanksgiving Origen permits that requests,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
prayersaintschurch-history

Origen and the Worship of Angels Members Public

Origen is often misquoted as denying that Christians were to pray to or invoke angels or the saints in heaven to intercede for believers on earth. They base this on Origen’s response to the Christian critic and pagan Celsus, whom this prolific Christian wrote a thorough refutation to. In

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
angelsworshipprayer

St. Cyril’s Praise of Mary Members Public

At the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), the blessed St. Cyril of Alexandria uttered a litany of praise to the blessed Mother of our God Incarnate in honor of her being the holy and pure God-bearer. Here’s what this holy servant of Christ wrote: “Mary, Mother of God, we

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
marychurch-historysaints

The Reformation and Purgatory Members Public

Quotations provided by William Albrecht. All emphasis is mine. DESIDERIUS ERASMUS It’s not surprising that Erasmus affirmed Purgatory since he was Catholic after all: “Even three hundred years after the birth of Christ, it was permitted to debate whether there was any fire in purgatory; some interpreted fire to

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
purgatorycatholicismchurch-history

St. Optatus, Peter’s Primacy & the Papacy Members Public

This lengthy extract from St. Optatus is taken from Optatus of Milevis, Against the Donatists (1917) Book 2. pp. 57-119. His statements affirm that the Roman Church is the See of Peter, and the grounds of unity which makes the Church one and universal. He further argues that to deviate

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
catholiccatholicismchurch

St. Maximus, Pope Honorius & the Papacy Members Public

I share the following article on St. Maximus the Confessor from CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Maximus of Constantinople. St. Maximus of Constantinople Known as the Theologian and as Maximus Confessor, born at Constantinople about 580; died in exile 13 August, 662. He is one of the chief names in the Monothelite

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historycatholicismorthodoxy
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