Introduction The notion that Christ established His Church on Earth, entrusting it to the leadership of Peter and the Apostles, is foundational to Catholic theology. This understanding stands in contrast to the modern idea that each person can independently decide their path in following Christ, effectively becoming their own church. To address this debate, we […]
Christ’s Plan: Why Faith Is Not Individualistic Read More »
There is a curious thing about human nature that we should rather look away from uncomfortable truths than face them squarely. We prefer our religion sanitised, our theology tidied up, our symbols cleaned and made respectable. This tendency, I think, explains why so many of our Protestant brethren have such an aversion to the crucifix—that
Why the Crucifix, Not the Empty Cross? Read More »
The Weight of the Most Solemn Day There are moments in human history when time itself seems to hold its breath, when the ordinary rhythm of days is interrupted by something so profound that it demands absolute attention. For ancient Israel, the Day of Atonement was precisely such a moment. On this single day each
Can Yom Kippur Unlock the Mystery of the Cross? Read More »
The book of Leviticus can feel like a daunting read for modern Christians. Its pages are filled with meticulous instructions—specific types of animals to sacrifice, exact measurements for altars, precise ways to handle blood, and even rules about which parts of an offering must be burned. At first glance, it all seems excessive. If Jesus
Leviticus’ Strange Sacrifice Laws: How Every Detail Points To Christ Read More »
I. Introduction: Framing the Debate Among the most persistent and sensitive theological divergences between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches lies a single Latin word—Filioque, meaning “and the Son.” Added to the Latin version of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, this clause affirms that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” Though seemingly minor
Filioque Controversy Exposed: How One Word Divided Christianity Read More »
Introduction: The Challenge of the “New Prophecy” Among the many theological challenges that confronted the early Church, few were as provocative or enduring in their implications as Montanism. Emerging in the latter half of the second century in Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor, Montanism presented itself not as a rival religion, but as a
The New Prophecy and the Old Faith: Montanism’s Challenge to Early Christianity Read More »
The evolution of Christian doctrine is marked by a series of controversies and challenges. From the early debates over the nature of Christ’s incarnation to the later conflicts that reshaped the medieval landscape, this timeline highlights how each heresy emerged as both a reaction to, and a catalyst for, doctrinal clarification within the early Church
The Great Heresies of the Church Read More »
Introduction Monophysitism—from the Greek monos (single) and physis (nature)—represents a significant theological controversy in early Christian history. This Christological doctrine asserts that Jesus Christ possessed only a divine nature, rather than the two natures—divine and human—taught by Catholic doctrine. The Catholic position, known as the hypostatic union, maintains that in the single person of Jesus
Why Monophysitism Is Heretical: A Catholic Perspective On Christology Read More »
I. Introduction: Defining Docetism and its Initial Appearance in Early Christianity Docetism, a term originating from the Greek word “dokein” (δοκεῖν), signifying “to seem” or “to appear,” represents an early Christian belief that was subsequently identified and condemned as a heresy within the developing orthodox tradition. At its core, Docetism espoused the notion that Jesus
Christ in Flesh and Spirit: The Catholic Rejection of Docetism Read More »
The Subtle Danger of Gnostic Thought In the twilight years of the apostolic age, as the last disciples of Christ’s original followers passed from the scene, a new and dangerous movement began infiltrating Christian communities across the Roman Empire. This movement, which would come to be known as Gnosticism, presented itself not as a rival
How Did Gnosticism Challenge The True Faith? Read More »
