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Lent Day 33: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXII

...as one of demons, polluted with idols and defiled by their nature. But since Jesus, that table which God prepared is that “mystical and spiritual Table” which is now contrary and in opposition to the Evil One. Before, you communed with demons, but now, with God. Now this spiritual table is where we eat and commune with God, and though it may look like simple bread and wine, we take it on faith that it is more. Consider therefore the Bread and the Wine not as bare elements, for they are, according to the Lord's declaration, the Body and Blood of Christ; for even though sense suggests this to you, yet let faith establish you. Judge not the matter from th...

Spiritual Disciplines of the Early Church: Ancient Practices for the 21st Century

...tion from demons and as part of performing exorcisms. “Behold there are here some vexed with demons … [Anthony] called upon Christ, and signed the sufferers two or three times with the sign of the Cross. And immediately the men stood up whole, and in their right mind …” Life of Anthony (356 – 362)   Weekly Fellowship This one may be the most obvious practice, and possibly the only one that is kept universally to this day, regardless of denomination or the different branches and traditions of Christianity: Going to Church every week for communion, worship and fellowship with other believers. “But every Lord’s day gather yourselves toget...

Does Christmas have pagan origins?

...honour of demons. — Apostolic Constitutions, ~390 AD The Christian Calendar So what was this calendar which Tertullian mentioned? Well, it was something fairly well-established before this point in time, as Christians had been celebrating Easter (or Pascha) and Pentecost pretty much since the birth of the Church. If the apostle has erased all devotion absolutely of “seasons, days, months and years”, why do we celebrate Easter by an annual rotation in the first month? Why in the fifty ensuing days do we spend our time in all exultation? Why do we … [fast on] the Preparation Day [i.e. Good Friday]? — Tertullian, 213 AD We can see from at least...

Lent: Day 16 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 48-59

...spired by demons, but not simply to randomness, but using the ancient prophecies about Christ as a source to include a seed of truth within. This was done in order to deceive, though the demons, misunderstanding the symbolism of the cross, never made any of their false gods die from crucifixion; and people like Plato who alluded to a divine entity being placed “crosswise” at the centre of the universe didn't understand it either and was in fact borrowing from Moses who wrote these things long before any of the Greek or Roman gods and prophets came along. There is a lot of doctrine and theology contained in these chapters, a lot which is still very relevant...

What is Contemplative Prayer?

...elf up to demons and deception. While I'm sure some websites or institutions may teach this, I would say that is not the true essence of this ancient practice. Read; meditate; pray; contemplate I would never defend, nor advocate, any practice of emptying your mind, as this would be contrary to Scripture. What the bible repeatedly states is that we should be filling our minds with the things of God and scripture; focussing purely on God!   So let's take a look at the three basic tenets of this type of praying: silence, waiting, and meditating.   Silence Being silent before the Lord is not an unbiblical position. Nor is finding some quiet alon...

Lent: Day 13 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 12-23

...it is the demons he previously mentioned (see yesterday's reading) that go about misrepresenting the Christian faith, but in reality, Christians are changed people and the evil and wicked things they once did and loved, they now do the opposite of: …we who formerly delighted in fornication, but now embrace chastity alone … we who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions, now bring what we have into a common stock… But in case it would seem that he is “reasoning sophistically”, Justin wants to present quotes from Christ's teaching to prove that “He was no sophist, but His word was the power of God”! For clarity, since...