Blog Search Results

Lent Day 19: Cyprian: On the Unity of the Church: 10-18

...rough the Holy Spirit. Despite this, and the schisms and those who would cause them, Cyprian says that this shouldn’t worry the believers “but rather strengthen our faith in the truthfulness”. Referencing Jesus’ words when he says that the “blind lead the blind” (Matthew 15:14), he warns that if any come across these people, to avoid them so as not to be lead astray by blind leaders and thus “fall into the ditch”. Cyprian closes up this chapter with a recap of various times in the past when God’s people rebelled against his appointed leaders and rules, and how they faced the consequences for their actions, being judged by God; one such exampl...

Lent Day 22: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 11-20

...Day Twenty-two: St. Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 11-20 Who: Bishop of Alexandria; Confessor and Doctor of the Church; born c. 296; died 2 May, 373 AD. He was the main defender of orthodoxy in the 4th-century battle against the Arianism heresy. Certain writers received the title “Doctor” on account of the great advantage their doctrine had on the whole Church, Athanasius especially for his doctrine on the incarnation. What: The biography of Anthony the Great’s life, which helped to spread the concept of Christian monasticism, particularly in Western Europe. Why: From the letter’s own prologue: “The life and conversation of our Holy Father,...

Lent Day 27: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 61-70

...Day Twenty-seven: St. Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 61-70 Who: Bishop of Alexandria; Confessor and Doctor of the Church; born c. 296; died 2 May, 373 AD. He was the main defender of orthodoxy in the 4th-century battle against the Arianism heresy. Certain writers received the title “Doctor” on account of the great advantage their doctrine had on the whole Church, Athanasius especially for his doctrine on the incarnation. What: The biography of Anthony the Great’s life, which helped to spread the concept of Christian monasticism, particularly in Western Europe. Why: From the letter’s own prologue: “The life and conversation of our Holy Father...

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

...ed by the Holy Spirit through baptism, raised to new life in Christ. I won't go into this topic too much now, as I've written on it plenty before here and here. I just wanted to focus our minds on the victory we have because of Jesus and what he did for us this day, centuries ago. I'll close with this worship song which celebrates the resurrection, which I really like. Focus on the words of the song and praise God for Jesus! Happy Easter, everyone....

Lent Day 38: Leo the Great: Sermon XXI (On the Nativity Feast I)

...Day Thirty-eight: St. Leo the Great: Sermon XXI (On the Nativity Feast I) Who: Leo the Great, also known as Pope St. Leo I (the Great), was Pope from 440-61 AD. Place and date of birth unknown; died 10 November, 461. Leo's pontificate, next to that of St. Gregory I, is the most significant and important in Christian antiquity, as he tried to  combat the heresies which seriously threatened church unity even in the West, such as Pelagianism. What: A sermon on the Nativity at Christmas time, about the incarnation of the Word of God. Why: To explain the incarnation and preach the Good News of our Lord and Saviour becoming man for our sake so that we may be sav...

How Polycarp (And Others) Show The Early Use Of The New Testament

...nd of the Holy Spirit, has been preserved through time for our benefit!     Sources & Further Reading: Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians Intro | Patristics.info Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians | Patristics.info Clement of Rome: 1 Clement | Patristics.info The Didache | Patristics.info Fragments Of Papias | Patristics.info The Early Church Fathers | Patristics.info The Martyrdom of Polycarp | Patristics.info Polycarp of Smyrna (christian-history.org) Polycarp: An Early Christian Martyr (plough.com) How Polycarp Gives Us Evidence For The Early Use Of The New Testament | Reasons for Jesus The Development of the Canon...