Athanasius on the Holy Spirit (Part I)
The Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. For nearly two millennia, orthodox Christians have affirmed this doctrine. The Trinity contains perfect unity and perfect distinction; and each member is co-equal and co-eternal. Indeed, this is a great mystery! Yet if any one member of the Trinity receives the least of our attention, I suspect it is the Spirit. Who is He, and what is His role in the triune Godhead?...
Athenagoras and Early Christian Apologetics
Early church history shows that believers took seriously the task of apologetics. They knew that their beliefs and practices had profound spiritual consequences, and thus sought to “destroy the lofty arguments raised against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5-6). One such Christian was Athenagoras of Athens, a philosopher whose passionate intellect is displayed in A Plea for the Christians.[1] Written in A.D. 177, Athenagoras penned...
Introducing Early Church Emphasis Month
In a recent, two-part essay, entitled To the Sources, I attempted to account for the resurgence of interest in early Christian thought and life that has transpired over the last 10-15 years. While interest in the early church has certainly been evident at other key moments throughout church history, the present engagement with the past can be instructive to those interested in a vibrant, robust doctrine of the church for the future....
Policemen, Paramedics, and Painters: How Working for the King Matters
We spend the better portion of our days and even our lives working. Jesus appealed to work in His parables (e.g., sowing, reaping, buying, selling, fishing, shepherding). Paul told his readers to be hard workers (Col. 3:23), and he was a tentmaker himself. But on some days we wonder if our work actually makes any difference. Due to sin, everything takes on a new dimension in our world, being wounded towards disorder and confusion.[1]...
This Is a Mystery: Marriage, Sex, and the Trinity
After explaining the proper relationship between spouses to the Ephesian Church, the Apostle Paul makes an intriguing statement: “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32). Through the centuries, this passage has spawned deep reflection. The seventeenth century poet John Donne wrote several rich poems that dig into the correlations between marital relationships, our relationship...
Book Recommendations (Winter 2015)
Learning to apply the principles of Scripture to our daily lives is a matter that demands serious contemplation and commitment. We desire to be good stewards of what God has given us, including our abilities, opportunities, finances, and responsibilities. Often it can be helpful to work through the implications of biblical principles with a friend—two heads are better than one after all. This quarter’s selection of recommended books...
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