Aug 5, 2008

No one can be a Christian at second-hand: such is the frequently repeated teaching of the Fathers. Holy Tradition does not signify merely the mechanical and exterior acceptance of truths formulated in the distant past, but it is in the words of the Russian theologian Vladimir Lossky — nothing else than ‘the life of the Holy Spirit in the Church here and now, at this present moment...

Aug 5, 2008

Certain statements made by Jesus have often been the basis of great controversy, both inside and outside the Church. His saying, "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven", has proven to be no exception...

Aug 4, 2008

Vincent attempted, as did St John Cassian, to find a way that avoided the extremes both of Pelagius and of Augustine. His Commonitories [reminders] offer a guide to distinguish Orthodox teaching from innovation, the maxim now known as the Vincentian Canon: quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus creditum est (i.e. only "what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all" is the catholic Faith of Christianity). Vincent taught that the ultimate source of Christian truth was Holy Scripture and that the tradition of the Church was to be invoked to guarantee the correct interpretation of Scripture...

Aug 1, 2008

My question was, "Is the Angel of the Lord Who appeared to Moses in the burning bush a manifestation of God?" "Of course it is!" came the rapid answer. "Is He created or uncreated?" The reply shot back, "Of course uncreated! We Jews do not believe that God reveals Himself by means of creatures!" I quickly responded, "That is our Orthodox doctrine of the Holy Trinity."