Beloved in the Lord, there are two hymns we sing during Holy Week that always draws my mind to solemn contemplation and moves my heart to the point of tears as I look to the cross of Christ. The first is “Stricken Smitten and Afflicted.” The second is the hymn we are considering today as … Continue reading Music Monday: Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Christian Life
Music Monday: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” is probably one of the most famous hymns written by Martin Luther, second only to “A Mighty Fortress”, and is one of those powerful battle hymns of the Reformation. Written in 1542 the theological break with Rome was complete, but a theological break did not mean the end … Continue reading Music Monday: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
Music Monday: Behold a Host Arrayed in White
Beloved in the Lord, we don’t often consider Lutheran hymnody, because it’s often overshadowed by the beautiful and rich hymnody of other streams of traditions. When you consider some of the great Anglican hymns or the diverse work of John and Charles Wesley, it’s not terribly surprising. There are some incredibly powerful hymns in our … Continue reading Music Monday: Behold a Host Arrayed in White
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