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Losing a Loved One: A Few Ways to Find Solace

This is a guest post by Lucille Rosetti from thebereaved.org. The views are that of the author and don't necessarily reflect the views of That Ancient faith. This week I have a guest post by Lucille Rosetti from thebereaved.org looking at the hard topic of death. As Christians we shouldn't fear death, and ought to look on it with a paradoxical hope, since we know that through Christ death has lost its "sting" (1 Cor 15:55-57) and that we look forward to the Resurrection and life to come. But even with that in mind, the physical and earthly loss is still hard and something we need to process and deal with, and the following guest post aims to help with the...

Lent: Day 10 - Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans

...for their faith and for being steadfast against the heresies Ignatius condemns. Whilst the previous letters all say the same thing about listening to the bishop and to not do anything apart from him, this letter goes one further and says that, “he who does anything without the knowledge of the bishop, does [in reality] serve the devil”! That's some strong words and really shows the emphasis on the church hierarchy in these early days, and the seriousness of the positions of these church leaders, as though they were acting in place of Jesus and the Apostles to the individual churches, which is often how Ignatius describes it. Like the others, this letter of...

It's no longer about land!

...s through faith in Jesus by putting away earthly things and desires which hinder our walk with God and life in the Spirit until such a time that we physically die and go to new life eternal. Until then though, we should strive to "regard no one from a human point of view" as Paul wrote, and remember that we are a new people group in Christ. Our home is God's kingdom; our culture is Heaven's culture; our family is Christ's family, which is why we are all brothers and sisters, adopted into the family of God as children and joint heirs with Christ (Titus 3:6-7; Eph 1:5; Eph 3:5-6; Galatians 3:29; Romans 8:16-17)! Our focus needs to be less on where we fit i...

Is it the end of the world as we know it?

...ntiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you.” For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed. I've already wrote extensively on this topic before, here and here, which you can read and comment on, if you want. I believe wholeheartedly, that if you want to make a good and positive difference in this world, then our theology and doctrine has to be right. Because when it's wrong, it can lead to all sorts of wrong actions and atrocities in the name of God. Believing national Israel and geographical Israel is still something separate and special from the rest of us...

The Coming of Jesus: The Olivet Discourse – Part 2

...e hope or faith. Likening this event to a fig tree sprouting when the seasons change, so the disciples must be mindful of all these signs foretelling when the end is near. Matthew 24:33-34 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.   Let’s just break it down a little here: “when you see these things taking place” What “things”? The signs of war, armies surrounding the city, “portents” in the sky. Which then means that “the kingdom of...

Lent: Intro - 40 Day Reading Plan with the Fathers

...phold the faith! Start your journey: Lent: Day 1 - The Didache Lent: Day 2 - Mathetes to Diognetus, pt. 1 Lent: Day 3 - Mathetes to Diognetus, pt. 2 Lent: Day 4 - Polycarp to the Philippians Lent: Day 5 - Ignatius to the Ephesians Lent: Day 6 - Ignatius to the Magnesians Lent: Day 7 - Ignatius to the Trallians Lent: Day 8 - Ignatius to the Romans Lent: Day 9 - Ignatius to the Philadelphians Lent: Day 10 - Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans Lent: Day 11 - Ignatius to Polycarp Lent: Day 12 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 1-11 Lent: Day 13 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 12-23 Lent: Day 14 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 24-35 Lent:...