Blog Search Results

Great Lent: The Season of Fasting

Fasting A spiritual and physical discipline If you are looking for a Lenten reading plan, make sure to check out my book, 40 Days with the Fathers: A Journey Through Church History, which will take you through the first 400 years of church history in forty days! Lent is upon us once again (according to Western tradition), and so I thought it’d be good to write something on the discipline of fasting, which is often neglected or overlooked in many Protestant churches. And much like any major holiday, there is the usual arguments and accusations about how it's all just pagan festivities with a "Christian mask". Easter is no different, and usually gets hit...

Lent Day 32: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXI

Day Thirty-two: St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXI Who: Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, born about 315; died probably 18 March, 386. Little is known of his life, except from his younger contemporaries, Epiphanius, Jerome, and Rufinus, as well as from the fifth-century historians, Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret. What: Each of the lectures deal with a different topic to teach converts the mysteries of the Church, particularly: rites of the renunciation of Satan and his works, of anointing with oil, of baptism, of anointing with the holy chrism, and of partaking of the body and blood of Christ. Why: Cyril delivered to new c...

I am one with the Force; the Force is with me – A Star Wars theology

...5) in our new life led by the Spirit in us (Gal 2:20), because ultimately, “anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him” (1 Cor 6:17). I'll just keep repeating "the Force is with me and I am one with the Force" and maybe I'll stay safe — am (@MissAverageMess) December 24, 2016   This mantra about The Force has since resonated with fans the world over (just look at the tweet above to see how), and I can see why after watching the film – though I am viewing it through my own lens of faith. But wouldn't it be great if people would call on the only True “force” in this world instead to be saved, protected and made at one with (Rom...

Lent Day 33: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXII

...Day Thirty-three: St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXII Who: Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, born about 315; died probably 18 March, 386. Little is known of his life, except from his younger contemporaries, Epiphanius, Jerome, and Rufinus, as well as from the fifth-century historians, Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret. What: Each of the lectures deal with a different topic to teach converts the mysteries of the Church, particularly: rites of the renunciation of Satan and his works, of anointing with oil, of baptism, of anointing with the holy chrism, and of partaking of the body and blood of Christ. Why: Cyril delivered to ne...

Fasting: A spiritual and physical discipline

...The topic of fasting often comes up in online discussion groups that I'm a part of, more often in Protestant circles where the practice is more often sidelined in low churches. So let's take a look at the practice of fasting from a practical and historical view, as it seems to be a spiritual discipline which has been pushed aside in many churches today, with prayer, worship and bible reading taking more precedence in a Christian's life instead (not that those are bad things to do!). Why fast? There are many reasons to fast, and recent studies have shown a lot of health benefits that can be derived from fasting. But on the spiritual side of life, there are also...

How was Jesus a sacrifice?

...raised to new life where “death will be no more” (Revelation 21:4)! John 8:36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. Further Reading: https://hellochristian.com/3189-12-amazing-comparisons-between-jesus-and-the-passover-lamb https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/39619/was-jesus-christ-crucified-on-the-14th-of-nisan-april-3-33-or-the-15th-april https://www.theopedia.com/atonement-of-christ https://preachersinstitute.com/2013/05/07/about-the-paschal-lamb/ https://bible.org/article/another-look-%E2%80%9Clamb-god%E2%80%9D http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-one-word-that-could-change-your-view-of-the-atonemen...