For many evangelicals Eastern Orthodoxy is compelling, if not for its seemingly evangelical convictions (contrasted with “Rome”), but for the fact that for many it remains a rather mysterious entity. Thus, introductions to Orthodoxy written for Protestant or evangelical audiences abound. [Sidenote: Why aren’t more of these kinds of introductions being written about Roman Catholicism?]Continue reading “Review: The Victory of the Cross – Salvation in Eastern Orthodoxy by James R. Payton Jr.”
Category Archives: Patristics
The Unity of the Human Person According to the Greek Fathers
Kallistos Ware begins his discussion of human personhood by referring to David Jenkins, who was the Bishop of Durham at the time, who insisted that personhood cannot be defined. According to Jenkins, “There is a sense in which we do not know what is involved in being a person. Thus, we do not know howContinue reading “The Unity of the Human Person According to the Greek Fathers”
Is Theosis a soteriological or anthropological doctrine?
Theosis, write Stephen Finlan and Valdimir Kharlamov, is closely related to a number of other doctrines including: soteriology, Christology, anthropology, the sacraments, personal eschatology, the imago dei, redemption, and sanctification. Despite the doctrine’s connections to a number of other theological loci, in the minds of many—especially those who find their theological bearings in the West—the doctrineContinue reading “Is Theosis a soteriological or anthropological doctrine?”
Why Does Anything Exist?
The answer to that question, as is the answer to every question (as Sunday school kids would say), is Christ…. [The Incarnation] is the great and hidden mystery, at once the blessed end for which all things are ordained. It is the divine purpose conceived before the beginning of created things. In defining it we wouldContinue reading “Why Does Anything Exist?”
The “Other” True Meaning of Christmas
The cross is the focal point of the gospel. Paul says as much when he tells the church in Corinth that he “decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2). But just because the cross is the focus of the saving work of Christ, that doesn’t mean that theContinue reading “The “Other” True Meaning of Christmas”
Salvation at Stake
Today we wrap-up a mini-series on the philosophy of doing history. The final essay in we will look at in this series is a chapter from Brad Gregory’s Salvation at Stake. This final essay represents the strongest set of arguments against a form of historiography dominated by what have variously been called, “the new historicism,”Continue reading “Salvation at Stake”
The Lady Vanishes: Dilemmas of a Feminist Historian after the “Linguistic Turn”
Today we continue a mini-series on the philosophy of doing history. In the next few days we will take a look at all sorts of views regarding how to do history. These views range from critical realist accounts all the way to post-structuralist accounts and even some feminist accounts. “Has the lady vanished?” When ElizabethContinue reading “The Lady Vanishes: Dilemmas of a Feminist Historian after the “Linguistic Turn””
LATC 2018 – Adam and Christ: Human Solidarity Before God
The following are notes from Frances Young’s plenary talk. Slime Mold Japanese Scientist “trained” them to make their way through a maze A self-organizing organism that is greater than the sum of its parts Emergence & feedback mechanisms – do we need to reimagine ourselves as constituting an organism that is greater than the sumContinue reading “LATC 2018 – Adam and Christ: Human Solidarity Before God”
Origen – The Man of Steel!
I’m working on a sermon on Romans 10 this morning. I opened up Logos Bible Software – and the first thing that popped up was this little article on Origen of Alexandria. This third century “religious fanatic” gave up his job, slept on the floor, ate no meat, drank no wine, fasted twice a week,Continue reading “Origen – The Man of Steel!”
I’m a Father!
On March 9th at 3:22pm my beautiful baby daughter was born! Her mom – my wife – started getting contractions during the YoungLife club that she serves at. But she didn’t really know what it was, just that it hurt and that she didn’t feel well. When she got home, she told me that sheContinue reading “I’m a Father!”
