January 28th, 2013
by Max Andrews
Question:
Max,
Do you know of any viable philosophical-theological conceptualizations of the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity which capture the fullness of the doctrine whilst not lapsing into the heresies of either Modalism, Tritheism or, of course, any form of Unitarianism? Thank you for all you do.
- B. P. Burnett.
Answer:
Brendan,
Thanks for your question! I chose this one for this week because I happen to use the Trinity as an example in my philosophy class when teaching logic, which I’m currently teaching. So, this is rather good timing!
To give a recollection for those who may not be familiar with the Orthodox doctrine of the Trinity and important heresies I’ve provided a simple chart:
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Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments »
August 22nd, 2012
by Max Andrews
The famed Logos Bible software is releasing a Eusebius of Caesarea Collection and is available for users to bid how much they’d pay on Community Pricing. First of all, if you don’t have Logos you need to seriously consider getting it. Second, if you don’t have Logos you need to just get it. Third, this is a great feature (the Community Pricing) and amazing content.
Eusebius of Caesarea was a Roman historian, exegete, and Christian polemicist. A scholar of the biblical canon, he was appointed bishop of Caesarea in AD 314, and he spent his life writing about the Gospel and church history. In his Ecclesiastical History, he documents and describes the early church, creating a vital record of the Christian community from the Apostolic Age through his own life. In this six-volume collection, you get the compiled wisdom of this post-Apostolic philosopher and documentarian—his his best-known arguments and apologetics at your fingertips with his most well-known writings and apologetics.
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Posted in The Church, Theology | No Comments »
February 29th, 2012
by Max Andrews
Important Heresies and Orthodoxy
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GROUP
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TIME
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HUMAN NATURE
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DIVINE NATURE
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CHURCH COUNCIL
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Docetism
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1st Century
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Denied—only an appearance of humanity |
Affirmed
|
|
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Ebionism
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2nd Century
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Affirmed
|
Denied—Jesus was natural son of Joseph and Mary |
|
|
Arianism
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4th Century
|
Affirmed
|
Denied—Jesus was not eternal; similar to, but not same as God |
Condemned by Nicea, 325 |
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Apollinarianism
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4th Century
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Divine Logos replaced human spirit |
Affirmed
|
Condemned by Constantinople, 680 |
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Nestorianism
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5th Century
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Christ was two Persons
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Condemned by Ephesus, 431
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Posted in Philosophy, Theology | 4 Comments »
February 29th, 2012
by Max Andrews
The Word of the Week is: Logos, λογος
Definition: The Logos is the second person in the godhead of the Trinity–Jesus. The Logos is the preexistent person of Jesus.
More about the term: Logos is the reason or mind of God (not to be confused with unitarianism). It is the creative force behind the creation of the world, which in turn, gives the world its rational structure. The reason why the world is a logical place open to rational investigation is because it bears the imprint of the Logos (the reason or rationality of the God who created it).
God the Father existed without the universe but having within Him His Word or reason. This proceeded forth from Him (Just as the Holy Spirit proceeds from the mind of God). The pre-incarnate Christ (John 3:13, 31), Son of God, exists as the mind and reason of the Father (eternally rational).
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Posted in Bible, Biblical Studies, Theology | No Comments »
