The most important relationship we can engage in is our relationship with God. It is the most essential element of who we are, and it creates within us not only a desire to know Him better but also a longing to commune with Him, to speak with Him, pouring ourselves out to Him. In this … Continue reading Prayer Cultivating Virtue
Gregory of Nyssa’s Sermon on the Nativity
Gregory of Nyssa (335 - 395 AD) is known as one of the great Cappadocian Fathers and twice served as the Bishop of Nyssa, from 372 to 376 and 378 to 395. His theological works were influential on matters of the Trinity, and, as a staunch defender of orthodox Christianity, the Nicene Creed. He was … Continue reading Gregory of Nyssa’s Sermon on the Nativity
Leo the Great’s Sermon on the Nativity
Leo the Great (400 - 461 AD) served as the Bishop of Rome from 440 to 461 AD. Prior to the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon, he issued what would become known as the Tome of Leo to Flavian I, the Archbishop of Constantinople, on the two natures of Christ, which would be accepted as … Continue reading Leo the Great’s Sermon on the Nativity
Gregory of Nazianzus’ Sermon on the Nativity
Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390 AD), sometimes referred to as Gregory the Theologian, was a fourth century Cappadocian Father of the Church, and Archbishop of Constantinople who had a significant impact on our understanding of the Trinity and the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father. Often described as being the Patristic Age's greatest rhetorical stylists, … Continue reading Gregory of Nazianzus’ Sermon on the Nativity
Gregory the Great’s Sermon on the Nativity
Gregory the Great (540-604 AD), the son of a Roman senator and one time Prefect of Rome, served as the Bishop of Rome from 590 to 604 AD, where he instigated what would become known as the Gregorian/Augustinian Mission (596 AD) to Briton led by Augustine of Canterbury, the first large-scale attempt to convert the … Continue reading Gregory the Great’s Sermon on the Nativity
Augustine of Hippo’s Sermon on the Nativity
Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 AD) served as the Bishop of Hippo Regius in Northern Africa and, in the West, is largely considered the second greatest theologian (after the Apostle Paul) the Church has ever produced, with his influence and theology felt throughout most branches of Western Christianity, from the Roman Catholic Church, which … Continue reading Augustine of Hippo’s Sermon on the Nativity
John Chrysostom’s Sermon on the Nativity
Note: For the week leading up to Christmas, I have decided to share the thoughts on the Nativity of Christ from the Early Church Fathers in order to prepare us for the coming of our Lord and Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of world. John Chrysostom (347 - 407 AD) … Continue reading John Chrysostom’s Sermon on the Nativity
Die to the World and Live to God
There is a lure, an unavoidable temptation that we feel that seeks to draw us to the world and the things of it. It pulls at us even as we seek to focus our minds and our attention on God, creating tension within us. This tension, in turn, works to wrestle us from the grips … Continue reading Die to the World and Live to God
Always Reforming
When Martin Luther first nailed the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church door was little doubt he had no idea the far-reaching implications of what it was that he was setting in motion. Though the Church in the West had been challenged before, on October 31st, 1517, the perfect set of circumstances … Continue reading Always Reforming
Forsaking the Vanity of Many
It is, perhaps, one of the easiest things in the world for us to compromise on truth. Though we are called to faith, transformed by the power of the Spirit, we still live in this world, and it’s a world that frequently conflicts with the Scripture. Perpetually presented with competing thoughts and ideas, the tension … Continue reading Forsaking the Vanity of Many