Category Archives: Patristics

St. Cyril of Alexandria – Our True Unity Flows from Divine Diversity

Our Lord Jesus Christ did not pray only for his twelve apostles, who became the solid foundation of the Christian church. He also prayed, as we read in John 17:20-24, for all who would believe in him in every age … Continue reading

Posted in God's Character, Incarnation, Missional-Ecumenism, Patristics, Personal, The Church, Unity of the Church | 10 Comments

Mary in Ecumenical Perspective

I mentioned yesterday that I attended two seminars at the National Workshop on Christian Unity (NWCU) in Columbus, April 8–11. The second was titled: “Mary in Ecumenical Perspective.” It was taught by one of the leading liturgical scholars in North … Continue reading

Posted in American Evangelicalism, Church History, Church Tradition, Creeds, Liturgy, Missional-Ecumenism, Orthodoxy, Patristics, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, The Church, The Future, Unity of the Church | 14 Comments

Facing Trials in Our Flesh: The Ordeal of Christian Suffering

A friend, who is also a member of my local church, has recently undergone a great blow to her body and soul. This sister in Christ has been diagnosed with a very difficult cancer that is extremely rare and very … Continue reading

Posted in Divine Providence, Patristics, Personal | 1 Comment

Can We Live Without Sinning?

Love and cognition merge into a single act when we feel ourselves loved by God. This is what it means, in Paul’s language, to be “in Christ.” We are mystically brought into the reality of the divine Logos. Here we … Continue reading

Posted in Biblical Theology, Love, Patristics, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Through Love We Are Joined With God

Yesterday I wrote of how hypostasis and persona are integrally connected with our being saved. They are also a vital part of how we learn to live by the Spirit and produce the fruit of the Spirit, not the sins … Continue reading

Posted in Biblical Theology, God's Character, Orthodoxy, Patristics, Spirituality | 1 Comment

The Supreme Authority of Scripture and Interpretation

Yesterday, I wrote about the authority of Scripture. I am often asked what has kept me from embracing the Catholic Church in its present state? I have many friends who’ve converted to Roman Catholicism. I have many supporters of this … Continue reading

Posted in Biblical Theology, Church Tradition, Hermeneutics, Patristics, Personal, Reformed Christianity, Roman Catholicism | 34 Comments

The Supreme Authority of Scripture

A major tenet of Protestant theology is the authority and finality of the biblical revelation. This principle is often poorly stated but the essential point is that Scripture serves as the supreme court in all matters of faith and practice. … Continue reading

Posted in Biblical Theology, Church Tradition, Patristics, Reformed Christianity, Roman Catholicism | 4 Comments

A Theology of Negation

In the fourth century three eminent Greek theologians, called the Cappadocian Fathers, gave birth to a theology that has remained in the church through the centuries. I am quite persuaded that a recovery of this theology is underway among some … Continue reading

Posted in Mysticism, Patristics, Personal, Postmodernity, Spirituality | 1 Comment

St. Clement of Alexandria on the Value of Wealth

I wrote several blogs last week about the value and importance of the Church Fathers. One of the early Greek Fathers was Clement of Alexandria, born in Athens around A.D. 150. His parents were pagans. He was converted to faith … Continue reading

Posted in Money & Stewardship, Patristics, Wealth | 1 Comment

Church Fathers: Who and Why?

The first teachers of Christianity are called the Church Fathers. The reason is that these teachers were seen, over time, as the great teachers of spiritual truth for the whole church. The term “Fathers of the church” refers to those … Continue reading

Posted in Patristics | 14 Comments