I ended this article in the last issue of the Eastern Herald, by sharing John Damascene’s definition of the two terms which have repeatedly showed up in this article, namely ousia and hypostasis. Hopefully my readers are beginning to have … Continue reading
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In the last issue, I introduced, in contrast to the Eastern Church’s understanding of salvation, that of St. Augustine. He presents his notion of grace which is not embraced by the Eastern Church. For Augustine, it seems that many may … Continue reading
The 26th Step on John’s Ladder is Discernment. It involves several different stages, the first one being SELF-KNOWLEDGE. To “knows thyself” is the first level of discernment. When we begin spiritual life, enthusiasm must be tempered with humility and knowledge … Continue reading
As we end this 21st week after Pentecost, the readings that are assigned to help us think about how to live this present life are taken from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians and Luke’s Gospel. The Gospel story is that … Continue reading
As I have suggested in this article, the Church only came to a true and real understanding of God through great struggle and debate. Revelation sets an abyss between the truth which it declares and the truths which can be … Continue reading
In the last issue I began sharing with my readers information about the Core Group of feasts that constitute our yearly worship. The doctrinal principles celebrated implied in the Core Group are repeated in the second group of post-Nicene feasts … Continue reading
Since I believe that the call to holiness is a call to a genuine relationship with God, I have been sharing thoughts about how to establish genuine and real relationships with other humans. I truly believe that we cannot have … Continue reading
During the first meeting of the new Church Year, our Parish Council began the process of addressing some of the needed repairs to our church building. Several critical issues must be addressed: our front porch and stairs, the nave windows … Continue reading
To continue our thought about the Eucharistic action in Christological terms, we say that the Spirit of God anoints all the faithful within the communion of the Body of Christ (i.e., the Church), which they have joined through personal acts … Continue reading
We have reached the 26th Step on John’s spiritual development Ladder. It is DISCERNMENT and has several stages. The first being SELF-KNOWLEDGE. To know oneself is the first level of discernment. When we begin spiritual life, enthusiasm must be tempered … Continue reading