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The Coming of Jesus: The Olivet Discourse – Part 2

Welcome to Part Two of The Olivet Discourse! It’s been a while, so we’ll pick up right where we left off with MatThew 24 verse 15 onwards, after a small recap of The chapter so far. The Olivet Discourse begins with The disciples admiring The architecture of The temple in Jerusalem. Jesus responds to this by telling Them that it will all be thrown down and destroyed, to The point that not one stone will be left on anoTher. Later on, when They are sat on The Mount of Olives, Jesus’ disciples come to him and ask “when will this happen?” and “what will be The sign” that all of this is about to commence? If we look at The accou...

The Battle for The Trinity: Historical Heresies and Church Defences

...Response: The Church affirmed that Jesus’ incarnation and suffering were real, as this is essential for our salvation. Jesus’ true humanity allows Him to truly represent us and atone for our sins. Patristic Quote: Ignatius of Antioch stressed The reality of Jesus’ incarnation and suffering: “He was truly of The seed of David according to The flesh, and The Son of God according to The will and power of God; truly born of a virgin… He was truly nailed up in The flesh for our sakes” (Letter to The Smyrnaeans, I). The Athanasian Creed AnoTher important aspect of understanding The Trinity is The Athanasian Creed, which dates back to around The 5th ce...

From Dust to Redemption: The Meaning of Ash Wednesday

...spective The Church of England, along with many oTher Anglican Churches, recognises Ash Wednesday as an important day in The liturgical calendar. The Book of Common Prayer (1662) includes a special Commination Service, calling The faithful to repentance. While this service is less commonly used today, Ash Wednesday services in Anglican Churches typically follow a solemn and reflective tone, with readings, prayers, and The imposition of ashes. The Anglican tradition emphasises that Lent is not merely about external observances but about an inward transformation. The ashes are not a mark of self-righteousness but a sign of humility before God. The service calls...

Lent Day 34: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXIII

...Day Thirty-four: St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXIII Who: Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of The Church, born about 315; died probably 18 March, 386. Little is known of his life, except from his younger contemporaries, Epiphanius, Jerome, and Rufinus, as well as from The fifth-century historians, Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret. What: Each of The lectures deal with a different topic to teach converts The mysteries of The Church, particularly: rites of The renunciation of Satan and his works, of anointing with oil, of baptism, of anointing with The holy chrism, and of partaking of The body and blood of Christ. Why: Cyril delivered to ne...

Creedal Christians: The Apostle's Creed

...The Apostle's creed — what is it and why is it called that? Outside of The New Testament, this is one of The oldest creeds we have, dating back to The sixth – eighth century in its current form that is commonly known today, but having its origins much earlier — as far back as The second century in a shorter form known simply as The “Old Roman Creed”. The Apostles creed is also sometimes referred to as The “Rule of Faith” as it is a summary of The Gospel and is The basis for pretty much all modern Theology. The points of The creed cover all The major pillars of The Christian faith which aims to safeguard what is true orthodoxy (right belief), whic...

My new book, available now! Take a journey through The first 400 years of Church History in only 40 days!

...Take a journey through The first 400 years of Church History in only 40 days! "40 Days with The FaThers" is a daily reading plan/devotional spread out over forty days; and over The course of this reading plan you will read extracts and commentary on 23 different early Church texts from a selection of some of The most influential Church FaThers, such as: Didache, Diognetus, Polycarp, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Cyprian, Athanasius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ambrose of Milan, and Leo The Great. These people who came before us, those great men of faith, many of whom suffered persecution and martyrdom to preserve The Church and Christ's mission, bridge The gap between th...