theology

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

EO, ISLAM, & ECUMENISM 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

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
orthodoxyislamtheology

VATICAN II, THE CATECHISM & WORLD RELIGIONS 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

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
catholiccatholicismchurch

Justin Martyr, Greek Philosophers & Christ 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

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historytheologyjesus-christ

Gregory Palamas on the Muslim God 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

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
orthodoxyislamallah

EO on Communion with Heretics/Schismatics 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,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
orthodoxycommunioncanon

CALVIN’S SCHIZOPHRENIC, DUPLICITOUS GOD 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

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
calvinismtheologygod

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
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