The Calvinist International
In two passages of Book 2 of De doctrina christiana (“On Christian Teaching”), Augustine gives clear expression to the basic principle of the analogy of Scripture, summarized, for example, in Westminster Confession of Faith 1.9: “The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full […]
In the first Theological Oration, Gregory of Nazianzus remarks that we often have our priorities misplaced. We consider “rivalry of speech and endless talking” to be more important than all else. Where we should have a definite and decided concern for Christian character, we instead grant a pass for all kinds of vice as long […]
In Against Heresies 4.16, Irenaeus distinguishes between the parts of the Mosaic legislation that are abrogated and those that are still in force. He has at least two divisions: one of temporary signs, and one of eternal applicability and validity. Circumcision falls into the first group: “[W]e learn from Scripture itself, that God gave circumcision, not […]
In order to avoid misunderstanding what late antique Christian theologians mean (and do not mean) when they discuss “theosis” or “deification” (and some of their statements read without context are very open to misunderstanding), it is of the utmost importance to recall that orthodox fourth-century theologians rigorously and emphatically affirmed the absolute and essential (I […]
Late in the Fifth Theological Oration, “On the Holy Spirit,” Gregory of Nazianzus notes two parallel developments that have occurred in the history of revelation. They proceed side by side, but in opposite directions: one moves from complexity to simplicity (vis-a-vis the worship of God), while the other moves from simplicity to complexity (vis-a-vis the […]