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
Christianity
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
Our Restless Hearts
It’s perhaps not terribly out of line to say that we are an anxious people, often times difficult to satisfy regardless of the blessings that we enjoy. We are always looking for something more, as if unable to find contentment, wanting things to be different than they are, desiring change without asking if that change … Continue reading Our Restless Hearts
Imitators of Christ
As Christians, we are called to live as imitators of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1) patterned after he who, for our sake, took on the form of man, living that perfect life in accord with the Law, and served as the sacrifice for our sins. Most of us have some understanding of what that means, viewing … Continue reading Imitators of Christ
The Dangers of Pride
Augustine of Hippo once postulated that the first sin was pride. Producing the desire to overthrow and replace God, this was the sin that caused the fall from heaven that created the devil. It was then this sin that he passed to humanity as he tempted in the Garden of Eden. Whether or not one … Continue reading The Dangers of Pride
More Than A Feeling
As Christians, we are called to live a certain way, to be followers of God, walking in love just as Christ first loved us, giving freely of himself. (Eph. 5:1-2) Charity, kindness, goodness, and gentleness are intended to bloom from our souls, the fruits of a life transformed by the power of the Spirit. These … Continue reading More Than A Feeling
The Dangers of Cultural Christianity
As Christians we are called to be in this world, and, yet, not of it. It is the idea that is conveyed in Paul’s epistle to the church in Rome as he tells the believers there that they are not to be conformed to this world. Rather, they are to be transformed by the renewal … Continue reading The Dangers of Cultural Christianity
Thoughts on the Scriptures (Part One)
What is the Bible? That is one of those questions where, depending on who is asked, one can get a variety of answers. In many of these instances that is, perhaps, not that terribly surprising. One can expect a certain response if they ask an Atheist or a Muslim or a Buddhist or someone who … Continue reading Thoughts on the Scriptures (Part One)
The Gods of Our Own Making
One of my favorite units in English class back when I was in school was mythology. The focus was always on Greek and Roman, but it often sent me down a rabbit hole where I would read anything I could find on the topic. I would be engrossed in the stories of the Norse gods, … Continue reading The Gods of Our Own Making