theology

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

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

Divine Name Christology Members Public

The Hebrew Bible often equates God’s Name with God himself, which is why blaspheming the Name or using it in vain makes a person guilty of a heinous sin punishable by death: “You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not leave

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
theologyjesus-christtrinity

Call No Man Father? Members Public

Oftentimes, anti-Catholic/Orthodox Protestants will quote the following words of our Lord to condemn the practice of calling the Pope, Bishops, Priests etc. “father”: “And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” Matthew 23:9 In this post I

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
matthewcatholicismorthodoxy

Judaism, God as an Angel & Malachi 3:1 Members Public

According to the Talmud, it was God himself who appeared as the Angel in the pillar of cloud/fire in Exodus 13:21: Another matter: “Behold, I am sending an angel” – the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: Had you merited, I, Myself, would have become a messenger

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
judaismangelsgod

Samuel Clarke’s Trinitarian Subordinationism Members Public

Dr. Samuel Clarke (1675-1729) was a Church of England divine who became the rector of the parish church of St. James, Westminster, a position he held until his death in 1729. Clarke became the focus of intense and heated controversy due to his unorthodox, “heterodox” views of the Trinity, which

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinitytheologychurch-history
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