A prominent feature of Martin Luther’s polemics was his use of ancient heretics and the heresies attributed to their name. His usage of these ancient heresies/heretics towards his religious opponents served the purpose of exposing doctrinal, moral/spiritual, and (theo)-logical problems that were perceived to be more troublesome than merely promoting a wrong teaching. In other … Read more
In this paper, I will examine some early sources that hint at the Nicene Creed. Two such sources include amulets from the fifth and sixth centuries. First is P. Haun. III 51. SM 1.23:63-66 (5th cent.) “Christ was begotten, Amen; Christ was crucified, Amen; Christ was buried, Amen; Christ arose, Amen. He was awakened to … Read more
While Baptists are unambiguously part of the catholic tradition, their understanding of catholicity has not always been clear. What exactly does catholicity mean? And what are its implications for those who confess it? This paper will argue that catholicity is both a doctrine and posture—a doctrine of wholeness and universality which leads to a posture … Read more
In Cyril of Alexandria’s Commentary on the Gospel of John, he writes in his preface that we must interpret the Scriptures along the “lines of true understanding.” He says that the consequence of interpreting outside of these lines would be damage to the interpreter’s soul. Throughout his commentary, he shows the reader that this means … Read more
In his magisterial “Search for the Christian Doctrine of God,” Richard Hanson said that Athanasius “cannot really explain why Christ should have died.” However, many scholars have pointed out Athanasius’ robust atonement theology. Following them, this paper aims to explore Athanasius’ doctrine of the atonement in “On the Incarnation,” thereby suggesting a new lens through … Read more
This paper will explore the positive and negative repercussions of the First Council of Nicaea’s decision to separate the annual Easter observance from the date of the Jewish Passover and Emperor Constantine’s publication of that decision. It will also offer practical suggestions for redeeming the historical-contextual gap between the two observances and for improving Jewish-Christian … Read more
The Nicene Creed is a fitting confession for those who accept Mark’s invitation to put their faith in God’s “beloved Son.” The “only begotten Son” of the Creed is an appropriate description of the “beloved Son” revealed through Mark’s narrative. The Creed, however, lacks one important characteristic of Mark’s “beloved Son.” The title “beloved Son”/“Son … Read more
In his celebrated treatise On the Incarnation, Athanasius defends the divinity of Christ in a manner that has shaped Christian theology for centuries. This paper highlights his climactic apologetic for the divinity of Christ, namely, the transformed lives of those who believe in him. In his first volume Against the Gentiles, Athanasius exposes the folly … Read more
The Creeds of Nicaea and Constantinople were not novelties that characterized innovations in theology or ecclesiology in order to combat the novel threats of Arianism and Eutychianism but were rooted in longer traditions that predated even Irenaeus’ and his own battles with the Marcionites and other gnostic teachers. As for back as the Didache, we … Read more
The Nicene Creed is undeniably one of the greatest theological statements in Christian history. But the strongest orthodox statement also needs to be fortified with teaching in orthopraxy. John Wesley famously suggested that “orthodoxy is but a slender part of religion, if it could be counted a part at all.” Statements like the Nicene Creed … Read more