Blog Search Results

Lent Day 24: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 31-40

...wer these evil forces have, but also explains how they can make themselves seem more powerful than they are. Just as in the chapters yesterday where he said that like the Apostles, we must not be “ignorant of [the enemies] devices” (2 Cor 2:11) now he goes into details so that we may learn these devices and no longer remain in ignorance. Going on to explain more on this, especially concerning any prophetic utterances demons may give, and how it is possible that they can be accurate in what they foretell. I found this very interesting to read because it’s exactly the way I understand the way demons work from what the Lord revealed to me after I was delive...

The Problem of Suffering and How We Approach it

...you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. And, Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the s...

An Examination of Conditional Immortality (Part One)

...speaks of evil people being condemned to “destruction forever”, rather than them in a constant state of being destroyed continuously forever, as the ECT doctrine would suggest. It’s also interesting to note that the contemporary usage of this particular Greek word in various non-Biblical texts uses it in the same face-value meaning of the word (i.e. being completely destroyed), and some translations even rendering the word in English as “annihilation”, as in the quote below: Elsewhere in Greece, as people learned the seriousness of the danger hanging over the Thebans, they were distressed at their expected disaster but had no heart to help them, feel...

7 things the Lord hates (spoiler: questioning doctrine isn't one of them)

...to run to evil,a lying witness who testifies falsely,    and one who sows discord in a family. From the way Christians are reacting to things like this, whether online or not, I'm sure their attitudes will fall into at least three of these "things that the Lord hates." A lying tongue – As far as I could see online, the Jars of Clay frontman hadn't expressly stated whether he supported SSM (Same Sex Marriage) or not, but was just asking about the arguments surrounding the topic, yet many posts that I did see were saying that he'd come out as supporting and/or advocating for gay marriage! Haughty eyes– Now, I had...

Is Halloween a Pagan Holiday?

...kness and evil beings. Here in the UK, it's not quite so prevalent; it seems more like an excuse for adults to dress up and have a party as much as the kids do (although with more alcohol involved). American society has really taken the holiday to its extremes with some of the decorations I've seen online and on TV and in films, to the point that suicide and murder victims left in public view have been mistaken for scary props! Origins of the holiday Has Hallowe'en always been like this though? Let's take a look at its origins to see where this holiday comes from to help us decide whether we should partake or not. Did you know that Hallowe'en actually started...

Lent Day 30: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XIX

...sary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. Cyril recounts how that when they went into the baptistery, they were instructed to “stretch forth [their] hand, and as in the presence of Satan [and] renounced him”, and then proceeds to break down each of the different statements which the baptised have to declare. This practice is contrasted with Moses who was sent by God to Egypt, with Christ who was sent by the Father to the world, and how the Hebrews put lambs blood on their doorposts to be delivered...