You will recall from the last issue of this article that it was stated that the perfect God-man, Jesus, was the only qualified person to sum up in his own life the corruptibility and distortion of the image and bring … Continue reading
adminstmike
As I indicated in the last issue of this article, the definition of the Holy Spirit being the third Person of the Trinity directly influenced the Eastern Church’s understanding of the Eucharist. If the epiclesis (i.e., invocation of the Holy … Continue reading
Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians has had little theological significance in Christian history. His reminiscences and gratitude, over half of the letter, have not often been grist for theological mills. The letter does, however, contain “nuggets” that are central … Continue reading
According to ACTS, Paul’s mission to Europe began with a vision of a man urging Paul to come to Macedonia to help them with the Christian message. Paul’s first stop was the city of Philippi and then Thessalonica. There, Paul … Continue reading
Disturbed not only by the extension of the German influence in the Balkans and by the use of the Filioque, in 867 Photius took action. He wrote an Encyclical Letter to the other Patriarchs of the east, denouncing the Filioque … Continue reading
The Eastern Church’s anthropology accepts punishment, death and mortality, not as God’s retribution or revenge for sin as much as pedagogy. The human being’s finitude would make repentance well up within her, the possibility of free love to God, the … Continue reading
The concept of imitation of Christ, which was put forth in the last issue of this article, seems therefore sufficiently clear. ‘The Christian’, wrote John Climacus, ‘is one who imitates Christ in thought, word and deed, as far as is … Continue reading
In the last issue of this article, I introduced the Mystagogical Catechesis attributed to St. Cyril and indicated that the last two lectures, given to new converts after their initiation into the Church, dealt with the Eucharist. In these two … Continue reading
Praying with the Scriptures can be best facilitated by following five simple “Ps”. The first was, as we saw last week, Pick a Passage. The second is Pick a Place. Reading and praying with the Scriptures requires the right place. … Continue reading
We hear these very poignant words in Paul’s second letter to Timothy: From your infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, the source of the wisdom which, through faith in Jesus Christ, leads to salvation…. All Scripture is inspired of … Continue reading