Blog Search Results

Lent Day 35: Ambrose of Milan: Concerning The Mysteries: 1-4

Day Thirty-five: St. Ambrose of Milan: Concerning The Mysteries: 1-4 Who: Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397. He was one of The most illustrious FaThers and Doctors of The Church. What: The treatise was composed for use during The latter part of Lent, for The benefit of those about to be baptised, The rites and meaning of that Sacrament, as well as of Confirmation and The Holy Eucharist. For all These matters were treated with The greatest reserve in The Early Church, for fear of being misused by unbelievers. Why: Ambrose states that after The explanations he has already given of holy living (in pr...

What is Advent?

It’s that time of year when Christmas lights and decorations go up, things start to look a little more sparkly, and kids are getting ready to open Their Advent Calendars. But what exactly is “Advent”? You may be from a Church tradition which recognises this each year so are more familiar, but if not, you may be curious to know more about this ancient Christian tradition. Advent, derived from The Latin “adventus,” signifying “coming” or “arrival,” stands as a sacred season deeply entrenched in The hearts of many Christians globally. This period of expectant waiting and preparation marks The initiation of The liturgical year in Western Christia...

The Two Babylons Exposed: The Book That Misled Millions

Over The years, I’ve encountered many Christians who’ve quoted from Alexander Hislop’s The Two Babylons as if it were a solid historical resource. The book claims that The Roman Catholic Church is not truly Christian but raTher a continuation of ancient Babylonian religion. It’s self-assured and sweeping, and for many people, it seems to explain everything, from Marian devotion to Lent and Easter, to Christmas, as rooted in paganism. But is it accurate? In short: no, it really isn’t. Hislop’s work is a classic example of 19th-century pseudohistory — a polemical piece, written to prove a point, not to explore any historical truth. Flawed Meth...

Before The Pumpkins: Faith In The Flames

Picture The scene: The year is somewhere around 155–160, Polycarp has just been arrested and brought to The city. The crowd roared in The stadium. The smell of sweat and fear mingled with The dust of Smyrna’s arena. And in The centre of it all stood an old man — calm, unflinching, his face marked with years of faith. The Roman proconsul urged him again: “Swear by The fortune of Caesar. Curse Christ, and I will release you.” Polycarp looked him in The eye and replied with a defiant response that has echoed down The ages, Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me? Those words hav...

40 Days with The FaThers: Companion Texts OUT NOW!

40 Days with The FaThers: Companion Texts is now available to buy as Paperback or Kindle! I am happy to say that The new book is now available in paperback and Kindle format on Amazon! OTher eBook formats will be available soon as it rolls out. This book is The companion to my oTher book (40 Days with The FaThers: A Daily Reading Plan), and includes twenty-three Early Church texts in full—including all additional footnotes from The original editors and translators so that you can get as close as possible to reading These ancient texts without needing to know ancient Greek or Latin. It's structured in such a way to read a chapter a day over a 40 day period...

Lent: Day 17 - Justin Martyr: First Apology: Chaps. 60-68

Day Seventeen: St. Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 60-68 Who: Justin Martyr was a Philosopher who converted to Christianity and became a tireless evangelist and apologist. Justin wrote more Christianity than any oTher person prior to his time. He is classified herein as Eastern, since he a native of Samaria and his thought patterns were Eastern. However, he spent The last years of his life in Rome, where he was executed as a martyr (c. 165). What: An apologetic (defence) essay to explain what Christians believe and do. Why: Justin is demanding The Emperor to investigate accusations and unjust persecution against Christians so that They at least may fac...