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 »
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 »
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 »
In Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Brant Pitre reimagines how we understand Mary by connecting her role as the queen mother to the ancient traditions of Israel. With a focus on biblical context and historical insight, this chapter reshapes common perspectives on Mary, showing how her position as the mother of Jesus mirrors
Understanding Mary as the Queen Mother: A Biblical Perspective Read More »
The Ark of the Covenant has long captivated the human imagination, from ancient Jewish worship to modern pop culture, famously through Raiders of the Lost Ark. Yet, beyond its legendary status, the Ark serves as a significant biblical and theological cornerstone. In Chapter 3 of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Brant Pitre explores
Discovering the New Ark: Mary’s Role in the New Exodus Read More »
In the bustling landscape of modern theological understanding, few concepts are as misunderstood as God’s relationship with creation. Popular imagination often portrays the divine as a distant clockmaker—one who wound up the universe at the beginning of time and then stepped back, allowing mechanical processes to unfold without further intervention. But what if this view
Is Reality a Constant Miracle? The Moment-by-Moment Genesis of Being Read More »
