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Before The Pumpkins: Faith In The Flames

...move. Faith in the Flames The proconsul threatened Polycarp with wild beasts ready to tear him apart, but he wasn’t fazed by it. The proconsul said to him again, “Since you make light of the wild beasts, I will have you burned alive unless you repent.”Polycarp replied, “You threaten me with a fire that burns for only an hour and then goes out — but you know nothing of the fire of the coming judgement and eternal punishment that awaits the wicked. So why do you delay? Do whatever you wish.” The interesting thing here is that if we look back at Revelation 2:8–11, we see that the church in Smyrna was one of the seven churches John addresse...

Did the Early Church invent the Trinity?

...ration of Faith, A.D. 265. Post-Nicene Thought At this point we go beyond the date of the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), but I’m including the quotes so you can see how the influence of the previous Church Fathers, and the result of the Council and the Nicene Creed, establish the language of the Trinity more solidly in theological thought. Sechnall of Ireland (c. 444) Hymns, with Revelation and the Psalms of God [Patrick] sings, and does expound the same for the edifying of God’s people. This law he holds in the Trinity of the sacred Name and teaches one being in three persons — Hymn in Praise of St. Patrick 22, A.D. 444. Patrick of Ireland (c. 4...

Lent Day 20: Cyprian: On the Unity of the Church: 19-27

...er in the Faith, but our salvation is our own to “work out with fear and trembling” and isn’t dependant on anyone else, even though they may be someone you respect and find encouraging. As Paul wrote to the Roman church, saying a similar message, God is not diminished by what we do: Romans 3:3-4 What if some were unFaithful? Will their Faithlessness nullify the Faithfulness of God? By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true. But if these leaders who have caused schisms and dissent, cannot be brought back with “wholesome council”, then those who are ensnared in the deceit need to “loose yourselves from the nets of deceit,...

What is Monarchical Trinitarianism?

...Orthodox Faith The Orthodox Church holds more prominently to the Monarchy of the Father in their Trinitarian doctrines. According to the Catechism of the Orthodox Faith, the Monarchy of the Father is articulated as follows: God the Father is neither begotten nor proceeds from any other Person, he is the cause, source and principle. This is called the Monarchy of the Father. (Catechism of the Orthodox Faith, 094) The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit share equal majesty as being the eternal, uncreated Savior and Lord. The Father is true God, the Son equally true God, and the Holy Spirit true God. This ontological or essential equality was expressed by the C...

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

...Warning: Minor spoilers ahead!I say “minor” because there’s no plot points given away here, I’m just discussing an aspect of a character in the film, but I know some people (like me) don’t like to hear too much of anything before they see a film! If you have seen the new Rogue One film though, you will be familiar with a guy called Chirrut Imwe. Whenever he is seen on screen, you will find him repeating a short mantra: “I am one with the Force; the Force is with me” whenever he feels threatened or in times of peril and wants protection. Now, Chirrut is not a Jedi (apparently [actual spoilers in this link]), but is a Force-sensitive “warrior monk...

Creedal Christians: Introduction

...I’m starting a new four part series over the coming weeks which will be looking at the different historical creeds of the Church which have been recited, used and handed down for two millennia, beginning with the very first formal creed: the Apostles Creed. This series will be a mixture of historical background plus a commentary on the creed itself to see where each statement is based in Scripture, and why we can trust them to accurately portray the Faith. What are creeds and why should we accept them? The word “creed” comes from the Old English crēda, and from Latin crēdo meaning “I believe”. A creed is basically a set of beliefs which you profess...