Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a felt mismatch between his biological sex and his gender identity (nhs.uk). In 2013, with the publication of DSM–5, “gender identity disorder” was eliminated and replaced with “gender dysphoria.” Jack Drescher, M.D. (2010) provided an overview of … Read more
While the Nicene confession of the Son’s consubstantiality with the Father was foundational for the Reformers, the metaphysical architecture underlying Nicene orthodoxy—particularly as mediated through Augustine—elicited both appropriation and reconfiguration. This paper investigates how two key Reformed theologians, John Calvin and Francis Turretin, retrieved Augustine’s articulation of divine simplicity within his Trinitarian theology, not as … Read more
Overview of Argumentation: If doctrine is merely handed down without a clear understanding of the Scriptural premises for that doctrine or creed, God’s people may subtly shift toward treating such creeds as mere religious dogma instead of striving to gain and apply a biblical understanding of the beliefs they hold dear. The Nicene Creed can … Read more
Michel Barnes has identified the “X from X” formulation (e.g., “Light from Light,” “God from God”) as a traditional expression of causality in early Christian theology, but how it was it employed to speak of consubstantiality varied. A close reading of the contemporary documents reveals the nuanced manner in which the phrasing could be used … Read more
The Antichrist theme received significant attention from the time of the early church, as demonstrated in the writings of the church fathers. Multiple strands of interpretation developed in Christendom within 400 years of the resurrection of Jesus, and these varying positions would serve as the foundation for nearly all future interpretation of Revelation 13. Medieval … Read more
Although there is debate about the number bishops at the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, the number 318 became the traditional number. This resulted in a connection John Chrysostom and others made with the bishops fighting against heresy and Abraham’s 318 men fighting pagans to rescue Lot (Gen 14:14). Chrysostom and Ambrose of Milan connected … Read more
Over several centuries, Africa has played a pivotal role in the life and development of the Church. Through questions raised, propositions argued, and institutions established, African bishops, theologians, presbyters, and churches have contributed in diverse ways to the shaping and framing of doctrinal and theological statements for the Church. Among such contributions is their response … Read more
I offer a formal reconstruction of Jesus’ argument in response to the Pharisees who accused him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, using numbered premises to exhibit the logic of his argument. This may serve as a clinic in the practice of working out the logic of Jesus’ interactions with his opponents. … Read more
The term μονογενής appears five times in the apostle John’s writings—four times in the Gospel of John (Jn 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18) and one time in his first epistle (1 Jn 4:9). Until the 20th century, the dominant rendering of the term in English versions has been “only-begotten.” But that common understanding was challenged by … Read more
Faithfulness of the Nicene formulation to the canonical Gospels in its confession of the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ as the second person of the Trinity is surely assumed and affirmed by every orthodox believer who rises to the call in worship, “let us say what we believe.” Less sure is the … Read more