Gregory the Great on Spiritual Theology
by Kevin Hester Gregory I, Bishop of Rome (590-604 C.E.), was perhaps the most important hinge figure between late antiquity and the early medieval period.[1] Though not recognized as a great theologian, his gift was in understanding and expressing earlier exegetical and theological ideas. In this way, Gregory gave a certain “tone” to theology that highlighted images and concepts that would become more important as the medieval period...
Augustine on Desire and Music
The role of desire has received much attention in recent Christian thought. Largely this turn stems from James K. A. Smith’s writings. Smith wrote in 2009, “[W]e are primarily desiring animals rather than merely thinking things.”[1] He contends that we are primarily lovers and not knowers, thus churches should aim to shape and form the congregation’s desires by appealing to them. He intends to draw the congregant into a gut-level,...
Overthrowing the Serpent: Gregory of Nazianzus & Philanthropy
Christian philanthropy is no modern Christian invention or conviction. For early church theologian Gregory of Nazianzus (329/30–390/91), the eternal welfare of one’s body and soul hinges upon one’s loving care for the poor and oppressed.[1] Gregory is convinced that loving care for another’s physical needs, be they paupers or lepers, is a binding obligation on the believer. A failure to care for the oppressed is to have lost “sight of...
Athanasius on the Holy Spirit (Part II)
“Who is the Holy Spirit, and what is He like?” These are the questions toward which we directed our attention in Part I. In this article, we ask a different question: “What does He do?” In other words, we move from discussing the Spirit’s person to considering His work. In particular, we’ll examine His activity regarding believers and the church. As we think toward these topics, we must first remember that the Spirit is the third...
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...
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