Old Russian joke (as told by an OCA bishop): If a young man has a good voice and good mind they make him a deacon.When he loses his voice they make him priest. And when he loses his mind… (via) via Sanity of Bishops — Ad Orientem
Apophaticism — Ad Orientem
The debates are intense! (Old but good meme…) via Apophaticism — Ad Orientem
The Polyepiscopacy of the Early Church
An intriguing (and sensible) suggestion from Trevor Gervase Jalland's The Church and the Papacy: Though there are, as we believe, adequate grounds for rejecting the view that Clement formally identifies episcopi with presbyters, yet in the face of this evidence it appears equally impossible to deny that he refers to the episcopate in a way …
Book Review: Trevor Gervase Jalland’s The Church and the Papacy
One of Our Lord's commands that we have difficulty fulfilling is this one: But it is not only for them that I am interceding, but also for those who believe in me through their Message, That they all may be one--that as thou, Father, art in union with us--and so the world may believe that …
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Communion in the Hand, and Those Pesky Easterners
This, brought to my attention, from Cyril of Jerusalem's Catechetical Lectures, toward the very end: Approaching therefore, come not with thy wrists extended, or they fingers open; but make they left hand as if a throne for thy right, which is on the eve of receiving the King. And having hallowed thy palm, receive the …
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Scourged and Crucified: A Good Friday Reflection
In all of their glorification of the "giants of the faith," evangelicals either overlook or ignore the fact that same giants were usually far better versed in the classics of antiquity than is common today. To some extent this is understandable: study of these works has taken a beating the last fifty years, and we …
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Does Anyone Really Believe This Current System is Permanent?
One of side "benefits" of being in the Anglican/Episcopal blogosphere is to get to know "Anglicans Unscripted," the video interview series hosted by Kevin Kallsen, with frequent contribution by fellow Palm Beacher George Conger. In a recent episode with Kallsen and the Queen's former chaplain Gavin Ashenden, they discussed a float in Justin Welby's parade …
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Was Augustine Really the Worst for Christian Theology?
One of the real shockers of recent American Christianity was the conversion of Hank Hannegraff, the "Bible Answer Man," to Greek Orthodoxy. That was upsetting to many who had followed his Bible answers for many years, but it was especially upsetting to the Reformed types, who basically acted like he had left Christianity. (That sounds …
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The Five Lessons of Creation
From Philo Judaeus, On the Creation of the World, LXI: And in his before mentioned account of the creation of the world, Moses teaches us also many other things, and especially five most beautiful lessons which are superior to all others. In the first place, for the sake of convicting the atheists, he teaches us …
Anger in God
Something to consider, from Philo Judaeus, On the Unchangeableness of God XI: And this is what follows: "I will destroy," says God, " the man whom I have made from off the face of the earth, from man to beast, from creeping things to the fowls of the air, because I have considered and repent …
Positive Infinity 