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Jesus, Yahweh, And The Power Over The Storm

...still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ In this account, Jesus’ actions mirror those attributed to Yahweh in Psalms 107, Psalms 89, and Job 9. The disciples, engulfed by a fierce storm, turn to Jesus in their desperation. His response is both commanding and comforting — He rebukes the wind and commands the sea to be still. The immediate ceasing of the storm astonishes the disciples, prompting them to question His true identity, sensing and realising there’s more to Jesus than meets the eye: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey...

The Real St. Nicholas: A Man of Virtue, Not Violence

...nding the faith does not require violence or aggression. Instead, it calls for humility, courage, and a willingness to follow Christ’s example — even when it’s difficult. A Call to Live Like St. Nicholas As we prepare to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, let us set aside the myth of the slap and focus on the virtues he truly embodied. Jesus’ call to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, and pray for those who oppose us is as challenging now as it was then. Yet it is through living these principles that we reflect the heart of Christ to the world. The story of St. Nicholas is not one of fists but of open hands — hands extended in genero...

What was so good about Good Friday?

...and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.  Verse 17 spells out quite clearly just why Good Friday is so good! If Christ was not raised, then our faith is pointless. If Christ was not raised, then there is no forg...

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

...s how the faith in which they profess, is in actuality, a rational faith. Before giving an explanation for this, he outlines the history of Christ; that he born for a purpose and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and how they learned he was the Son of God to be worshipped. …we reasonably worship Him, having learned that He is the Son of the true God Himself, and holding Him in the second place, and the prophetic Spirit in the third, we will prove. For they proclaim our madness to consist in this, that we give to a crucified man a place second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the Creator of all Demonic Influences This is the start of misunderstand...

Lent Day 23: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 21-30

...ns by our faith, they will come with stronger powers to try and bring fear through terrible visions and dreams and false prophecies. But through the power of Christ, these demons are displaced “like serpents and scorpions to be trodden underfoot by us Christians”. But even so, despite this they will try all the more to distract and deceive the Christian, causing noise and music and sleepless nights by rousing us awake at all hours, sometimes taking on the appearance of holy men or angels in order to trick us into listening to their lies. Even if, Anthony says, they take on the appearance of seemingly godly beings or people, and even if they speak things whi...

Lent: Day 2 - Mathetes to Diognetus, pt. 1

...Day two: Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus: Chaps. 1-6 Who: Anonymous author, “mathetes” is not a name, but is the Greek word for “a disciple” What: possibly one of the earliest examples of a Christian apologetic defending the faith from its accusers, written to someone interested in learning more about the faith and its customs Why: The Christian faith was under attack and ridicule in the early centuries, many things about the Church were misunderstood and so various Christians took to writing apologetic's (defences) to clarify doctrines and beliefs from being maligned. When: Estimated between AD 130 and late 2nd century I've only ever come acros...