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
Jesus Christ
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
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
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