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# Christian Orthodox

An Orthodox Christian Blog

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## Posts

- [Summary Review: On the Reception of the Heterodox into the Orthodox Church](https://www.christianorthodox.net/summary-review-on-the-reception-of-the-heterodox-into-the-orthodox-church/) - In order for this book to be the "patristic consensus and criteria for Orthodoxy" that it purports to be, in spite of the fact that most of Orthodoxy believes differently on these issues, you only have to accept that: -The Apostolic Canons refer indiscriminately to all heretics rather than just to the non-trinitarian heretics at
- [The Historical Orthodox View on the Validity of Non-Orthodox Sacraments](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-historical-orthodox-view-on-the-validity-of-non-orthodox-sacraments/) - One of the most complex and frequently debated questions in Orthodox ecclesiology concerns the recognition of sacraments performed outside the canonical boundaries of the Orthodox Church. While there is a hardline rigorist strain in contemporary discussions that attempts to present the practice of baptizing virtually all converts as THE historic Orthodox tradition, historical evidence reveals
- [Orthodox Converts: Tradition over Innovation](https://www.christianorthodox.net/orthodox-converts-tradition-over-innovation/) - In American Orthodoxy over the last several decades, a contentious issue has emerged regarding the reception of converts from other Christian communions into the Orthodox Church. Some individuals advocate for the baptism of virtually every Christian, while the majority of Orthodox Christians in America adhere to the traditional belief and practice upheld by nearly all
- [DEPRAVITY: NOT SO TOTAL AFTER ALL?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/depravity-not-so-total-after-all/) - I decided to do a review of the Book of Romans during the second half of Lent in anticipation of the resumption of teaching Bible study classes in my parish after Pascha. This morning’s review brought me to chapter 3 of Romans and a passage that has had a lot of traction in the West
- [Taking It Up a Notch: Ladders, Love, and Spiritual Growth](https://www.christianorthodox.net/taking-it-up-a-notch-ladders-love-and-spiritual-growth/) - Introduction to St. John of the Ladder and His Work St. John of the Ladder, a prominent figure in Orthodox Christian spirituality, is best known for his profound work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Born in the early 6th century, he became the abbot of the monasteries on Mount Sinai and dedicated his life to
- [A CORRECTIVE ON CORRECTIVE BAPTISMS](https://www.christianorthodox.net/a-corrective-on-corrective-baptisms/) - In the realm of Orthodox Christianity, discussions surrounding baptism and the nature of sacraments can be deeply polarizing. A particularly contentious issue arose within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) during the leadership of Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky), who was First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia from 1964 until 1985 regarding
- [The False Dichotomy of Faith vs. Works](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-false-dichotomy-of-faith-vs-works/) - A lot of ink has been spilled among Western Christians in the debate concerning Faith vs. Works. What place do works, if any, have in our salvation?From the Protestant "faith alone" side, it is insisted that works have nothing to do at all with our salvation, we are saved solely by believing in Christ apart
- [The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-tree-of-the-knowledge-of-good-and-evil/) - The daily readings during Lent are from the Old Testament. Specifically, from Genesis, Proverbs, and Isaiah. I have been thinking about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. What does it signify? Why was eating of it bad? If we read the other extant creation stories of the Middle East, the Tree of
- [Two Republics: A Sympathetic Comparison of America and Byzantium](https://www.christianorthodox.net/two-republics-a-sympathetic-comparison-of-america-and-byzantium/) - As an Orthodox Christian who holds a deep appreciation for the Christian Roman Republic while also cherishing the principles of Jeffersonian federal democracy, I find myself reflecting on the complexities of governance in both contexts. Many in the Orthodox community tend to romanticize monarchy, often overlooking the fact that the Christian Roman Empire was fundamentally
- [Preparing Our Hearts: The Spiritual Journey Through the Pre-Lenten Sundays](https://www.christianorthodox.net/preparing-our-hearts-the-spiritual-journey-through-the-pre-lenten-sundays/) - As we approach Great Lent, the Orthodox Christian Church offers a series of Sundays that lead us into this sacred season. Each Sunday serves as a poignant reminder of our spiritual journey and invites us to reflect on our lives, our relationship with God, and the call to repentance and humility. Through the stories and
- [Wisdom From St. Polycarp of Smyrna](https://www.christianorthodox.net/wisdom-from-st-polycarp-of-smyrna/) - Yesterday, February 23, we celebrated the feast day of St. Polycarp, a revered Bishop of Smyrna and one of the earliest Church fathers and martyrs, who lived from 69 to 155 AD. His significance as a witness to the faith is profound, particularly because he was taught by the original Apostles, especially St. John, and
- [THE VINCENTIAN CANON AND BAPTISM](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-vincentian-canon-and-baptism/) - In the life of the Church, controversies often arise that can be challenging to navigate, especially for those without access to a library filled with the writings of the Church Fathers and the rich history of the Church. One such pressing issue is how to receive converts who have been baptized in heterodox communions into
- [A Quick Word of Caution About The Rudder](https://www.christianorthodox.net/a-word-of-caution-about-the-rudder/) - Few books are as popular in sacramentally rigorist circles as the Pedalion, or The Rudder. It has an extremely high status, particularly among new converts...
- [Yea Rather](https://www.christianorthodox.net/yea-rather/) - This last Sunday was the Feast of St. Luke. It was more than coincidence I think that I happened across a couple of verses from his Gospel that I look at very differently now than when I was a Protestant. The verses in question are Luke 11:27-28, “As he said this, a woman in the
- [Prophet Amos](https://www.christianorthodox.net/prophet-amos/) - Started reading Amos last night. I decided to try something different and after reading the first chapter I went ahead and read the last chapter. In chapter one, the prophet says he is going to give a prophecy against Jerusalem, the capital of the southern Jewish Kingdom. Yet I know from having studied Amos before
- [Lead Us Not Into Temptation](https://www.christianorthodox.net/lead-us-not-into-temptation/) - Lenten Reading: On the Lord's Prayer published by SVS Press. We have extant three pre-Nicene treatises explaining the meaning of the petitions in the Our Father which the early Christians were encouraged to pray very often. They are all in this volume: Tertullian, Origen, and St. Cyprian of Carthage. One of the more enigmatic petitions
- [Orthodox Purgatory?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/orthodox-purgatory/) - A RC in one of my forums asked why Orthodox find Purgatory objectionable when we also pray for our departed: One chief difference between the RC and Orthodox views on the Intermediate State is that we don't go for the whole purgatorial fires thing. In RC purgatory, forgiven sins are still being punished in some
- [Tobit's Dog](https://www.christianorthodox.net/tobits-dog/) - Finished up Tobit the night before last. It is always a favorite book to reread because it is such a good story, it has a strong Christological spiritual sense, and it is one of the few places in the Scriptures where dogs are given a positive presence. In most other places in the Bible, dogs
- [The Book of Esther](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-book-of-esther/) - The Book of Esther comes to us in two versions. There is the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Septuagint. The Greek is a bit longer as it has additions to the text, mostly in the form of prayers from Mordecai and Esther (as well as Mordecai's prophetic dream in the first chapter and his
- [A Lesson from The Book of Job](https://www.christianorthodox.net/a-lesson-from-the-book-of-job/) - Finished Job again last night in my three-year plan through the Old Testament. It is one of my favorite OT books although it raises as many questions as it answers. It is often pointed to as the Bible's answer to the Problem of Evil but I think Habakkuk is a little more explicit about that.
- [Is God Anti-Knowledge?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/is-god-anti-knowledge/) - Two verses particularly stood out for me in today's passage, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life... But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense
- [Jesus Calms a Storm](https://www.christianorthodox.net/jesus-calms-a-storm/) - Morning Gospel: Today, Jesus calms a storm that has His disciples terrified. "23 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝, ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑚. 24 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎, 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑠: 𝑏𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑒𝑝. 25 𝐴𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜
- [Saul and David](https://www.christianorthodox.net/saul-and-david/) - Evening Scripture: Finished 1 Kingdoms/ 1 Samuel by reading chapters 30-31 in my two-year Old Testament program. Saul and his sons meet their end at Mt. Gilboa while David rescues his kidnapped loved ones. What a contrast between Saul and David there is in these last chapters of this book! In their moments of weakness
- [Beware of False Prophets](https://www.christianorthodox.net/beware-of-false-prophets/) - Gospel: Today the Church's Lectionary lands us near the end of the Sermon on the Mount, "15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so
- [Fast After Feast](https://www.christianorthodox.net/fast-after-feast/) - We have just finished the fast-free week of Pentecost and tomorrow we go back to regular fasting in a big way with the Apostle's Fast for the next month. Of course, there is testimony in the New Testament that the Christians continued keeping the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, albeit with new nuances to the meanings
- [Ask, and ye shall receive?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/ask-and-ye-shall-receive/) - Today's Gospel in the Lectionary is John 16:23-33. The first two verses read, "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive,
- [In the Lord’s Handwriting](https://www.christianorthodox.net/in-the-lords-handwriting/) - In my one-year Bible reading plan, I am coming to the end of 1 Chronicles. David is publically giving the throne to Solomon and giving him and the people instructions. Among these are provisions for the Temple Solomon will build. In chapter 28, there is an interesting phrase, "David gave all unto Solomon in the
- [The Gnose Knows: St. Isaac of Nineveh's Three Degrees of Knowledge](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-gnose-knows-st-isaac-of-ninevehs-three-degrees-of-knowledge/) - "For the man in Christ, the antinomies of the mind are not irreconcilable opposites; they are simply ruptures caused by the upheaval of original sin in man. Uniting himself to Christ, man feels in himself a coming-together of fragmented parts, a healing of the intellect, a wholeness and integration that make him capable of integrated
- [THE EVOLUTION OF DARWIN'S RELIGIOUS BELIEFS](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-evolution-of-darwins-religious-beliefs/) - In reading Darwin's Autobiography and his other writings, public and personal, I think a good summary of the evolution of Charles Darwin's metaphysical/ religious views would be as follows: Up to 1830- His seminary days he was a Biblical literalist and a big fan of Paley's arguments. He says in his Autobiography that at this
- [The Flood: Global or Local?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-flood-global-or-local/) - There is no doubt about it. The last several centuries have been an adjustment for Bible believers. Beginning with the realization that the unanimous view of geocentrism was wrong, the switch to a heliocentric model of the universe was difficult for many Christians. They saw the new science as a betrayal of the literal and
- [Some Incoherencies of Naturalism](https://www.christianorthodox.net/some-incoherencies-of-naturalism/) - Here are a few reasons I believe naturalism undermines rationality and ends up being self-defeating under the claim that the natural world/matter is all there is: To begin with, naturalism/materialism is one of the most primitive philosophies there is and was popular with the pre-Socratic philosophers until refuted by Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. It has
- [10 Principles for Interpreting the Bible I Have Picked Up From Ancient Christianity](https://www.christianorthodox.net/10-principles-for-interpreting-the-bible-i-have-picked-up-from-ancient-christianity/) - Had a fundamentalist attack me this morning because I did not follow biblical principles when reading the Bible. When I asked him what those principles were he said he did not have a list he just "knew it when he saw it." So it got me to thinking, "What ARE my general principles when reading
- [Call No Man Father](https://www.christianorthodox.net/call-no-man-father/) - One very common objection to the Orthodox Catholic Faith is that we refer to our priests as "Father". And at first glance it seems that those who criticize us for this practice have a case from the Bible. When this charge is brought up our interlocutors have in mind the words of Christ in Matthew
- [Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: Young Earth Creationism and Starlight](https://www.christianorthodox.net/twinkle-twinkle-little-star-young-earth-creationism-and-starlight/) - A Major Problem with the speed of light, Young Earth Creationism, and the appearance of age argument: Seven Points about starlight in honor of the Seven Days of Genesis- It takes light 8 minutes to reach us from the sun. If we observe a solar flare we are actually looking at what was happening 8
- [The Seven Minute Bible](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-seven-minute-bible/) - Well, hello and welcome to my first blog post on Christian Orthodox! I can think of no better way to kick this off than to offer a few words of explanation about The 7 Minute Bible - The Entire Bible in 78 Verses ebook. This is a project that has been in my head for
- [Dancing with T's and Ye's](https://www.christianorthodox.net/dancing-with-ts-and-yes/) - I still remember when I first came to really enjoy reading the Bible. I had begun to be interested in spiritual things and even liked going to church and hearing all the Bible stories each week. However, whenever I sat down to read the Scriptures I would quickly become discouraged because it was hard to
- [Animal Death Before the Fall](https://www.christianorthodox.net/animal-death-before-the-fall/) - In response to a question on Facebook about how an Old Earth Creationist or an Evolutionary Creationist can justify animal death before the Fall of Adam. I thought this might be helpful for anyone with a similar question..... Question: "How does a theistic evolutionist take into account the fact that evolution is built on the
- [Blessed Be The God of All Comfort](https://www.christianorthodox.net/blessed-be-the-god-of-all-comfort/) - Please offer prayers for the departed servant of God my father, Richard Hawthorne, who passed away today and for the comfort of those he has left behind. Requiescat in pace, Daddy. Death is a tragic mercy. Tragic because of the pain of being separated from someone we love, the regret of things not said often
- [FIAT LUX!](https://www.christianorthodox.net/fiat-lux/) - Fiat Lux! The Vulgate's rendering of the divine command, "Let there be light!" I have been engaging in several online debates with Young Earth Creationists on Facebook and it seems that not many of them are aware of the deep problems that undermine their position for a 6000 year old universe when the measurable constant
- [ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD IN RYE: The Nativity Story of Samson](https://www.christianorthodox.net/story-of-samson/) - 1. Review of the Book of Judges Samson was born during the seventh of the seven cycles that keep recurring throughout the book of Judges. Cycles of sin, suffering, supplication and salvation. Each section begins with a phrase like: "And the children of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord"
- [A Yom by Any Other Name......](https://www.christianorthodox.net/a-yom-by-any-other-name/) - While discussing Creation and Genesis with a Theistic Evolutionist yesterday, he made the following comment, "Genesis 1 does not have to be literal, or use an indeterminate time-period meaning of the Hebrew word for day, 'Yom'" To which I agreed, "Absolutely, at this point I think the "yoms" of Gen. 1 could be read either
- [Samson the Christlike Judge](https://www.christianorthodox.net/samson-the-christlike-judge/) - Many Bible students are familiar with the concept of types and figures of Christ in the Old Testament. There is the First-Created man Adam. Just as he is the father of all men according to the flesh so Jesus, the Second Adam, is the spiritual father of all the faithful. Consider Job who in his
- [Joseph's Righteousness](https://www.christianorthodox.net/josephs-righteousness/) - "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily" (Mt. 1:19). What does true righteousness look like in practice? Joseph was confronted with what appeared to be a clear case of infidelity when he learned that his betrothed Mary was pregnant.
- [The Architecture of the Universe](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-architecture-of-the-universe/) - In debating an atheist on whether there is indeed order in the universe to the degree that we can refer to it as "fine-tuned" I came up with this response which I decided to post for any other would-be apologists looking for a concise answer to this common objection: "While a few great minds do
- [Scripture and Incarnation](https://www.christianorthodox.net/scripture-and-incarnation/) - I had an online exchange earlier today with an academic sounding soul who wanted to push the old idea that Christianity is not truly unique as a religion because it stole many of its beliefs and practices from paganism. To set the stage: What set this gentleman off was someone who had posted to Facebook
- [Beyond Firmament Thinking](https://www.christianorthodox.net/beyond-firmament-thinking/) - The Scriptures do not teach Young Earth Creationism. They don't teach Old Earth Creationism either. Taken literally they simply express themselves in the cosmology of the time they were written. Try reading these verses with ancient eyes as the original audience would have read them... Does this mean Scripture taught error? No. Why not? Cosmological
- [Accommodationism in Scripture 101](https://www.christianorthodox.net/accommodationism-in-scripture-101/) - I was pressed recently to give as succinct an explanation as I could of the accommodationist view of Scripture and whether I thought certain passages had been written as literally true or not. Our discussion centered around the opening chapters of Genesis and some passages in Joshua. The conversation came to a head when my
- [Design and Nature](https://www.christianorthodox.net/design-and-nature/) - Debating whether there is design in nature with a non-theist who says we only think so because of faith and that the natural assumption is that there is no design ergo no Designer. My reply: "I believe that design is apparent in the beauty, complexity, and functionality of nature. I also believe that there is
- [Religion: In the Image and Likeness of Man?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/religion-in-the-image-and-likeness-of-man/) - In response to the assertion that since all religions contradict one another, all are necessarily false and solely the result of natural evolutionary processes such as our need to deal with fear of the unknown and the human tendency to seek patterns and meaning in everything, I wrote this to an atheist friend....... In your
- [Why Believe the Universe was Created by a Personal God?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/why-believe-the-universe-was-created-by-a-personal-god/) - I was recently discussing whether the universe was created by God or Nature with an atheist friend and he seemed surprised when I said I believed that God was a simpler explanation for the existence of the universe than Nature itself. He then said that even if I could prove the existence of God there
- [Jesus and Elvis](https://www.christianorthodox.net/jesus-and-elvis/) - Debating the Resurrection of Christ with an intelligent friend who equates the first-century eyewitness testimony of the Risen Jesus with Elvis sightings today. My response: I am reminded of the tragedy which befell a travelling circus when its Human Cannonball was killed while practicing his act of being shot out of a cannon. When interviewed,
- [Would You Kill for God?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/would-you-kill-for-god/) - "If god commanded you to kill your children or loved ones, would you do it?" It is a pretty common question to be asked when talking to atheists online. No, because I would assume I am a kook if I heard that or the Dark Side of the Force was tempting me. However, if I
- [At the Corner of Faith and Reason](https://www.christianorthodox.net/faith-and-reason/) - In a recent exchange with an internet atheist of the "Science Disproves God" variety I was reminded once again how both sides in the theism/ atheism debate so often mix science and religion in confused ways to use one to disprove the other. Here is a part of that conversation: Atheist: The Uncreated Being" is
- [Making Senses of Scripture](https://www.christianorthodox.net/making-senses-of-scripture/) - I received quite the broadside from a Biblical fundamentalist this morning. He had asked whether I thought the Bible had copied from pagan myths regarding the Flood and Creation. Then he was obviously displeased with my answer that I did not believe the early chapters of Genesis were directly copied from Egyptian and Mesopotamian myths
- [Our Just Right Universe: or, Size Matters](https://www.christianorthodox.net/our-just-right-universe-or-size-matters/) - Lately it seems that I have been running into the argument that the universe is just too darned big for God to have created it or for us to consider ourselves special in the grand scheme of things. Many atheists feel as if our relative size compared to the universe makes the idea that it
- [A LACK OF LOCKS AND TWO BEARS](https://www.christianorthodox.net/a-lack-of-locks-and-two-bears/) - Skeptic’s Objection: “Why would God allow two bears to kill 42 children simply for saying Elisha was bald? You mean if a bunch of kids make fun of my bald head, I get to take them to the zoo and throw them in the bear cage to be ripped apart? ” I agree that this
- [Why Couldn't God Just Forgive Us?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/why-couldnt-god-just-forgive-us/) - Atheist: "How about this? If god is without limits why would he have to send his son to die In order to forgive sins, why is he bound by rules that would make that necessary? If he was without limits wouldn't you expect that if he wanted to forgive sins he would just do it
- [What's in a name?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/whats-in-a-name/) - Interesting Bible Factoid. My evening readings are from the OT and I am currently in Ezekiel. This weekend I was in chapter 26, the prophecy about Tyre, and came across Nebuchadnezzar's name as "Nebuchadrezzar". The KJV and a few other translations have Nebuchadrezzar which is more in line with the Hebrew but most translations just
- [The Purpose of Difficult Bible Passages](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-purpose-of-difficult-bible-passages/) - I came across this objection to the type of God atheists think God is from their reading of the Bible recently: "I think trying to define Yahweh as good is like trying to define Aphrodite as Maximally Beautiful and then discovering that all the descriptions are of a woman who is universally unattractive." This reminded me
- [Whitewashed Tombs and Unmarked Graves](https://www.christianorthodox.net/whitewashed-tombs-and-unmarked-graves/) - Bible factoid: Reading the Gospel of Luke earlier and came across Jesus calling the Pharisees "unmarked graves" in 11:44, ""Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it." (NIV2011). Which reminded me of when the Lord called them "whitewashed" or marked tombs in Matthew 23:37, ""Woe to you,
- [God Was Manifest in the Flesh, Reflecting on 1 Timothy 3:16](https://www.christianorthodox.net/god-was-manifest-in-the-flesh-reflecting-on-1-timothy-316/) - "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory." (1 Timothy 3:16, RSV) "Without a doubt, great is the mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, vindicated in
- [The Way of the Kitten and the Way of the Monkey](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-way-of-the-kitten-and-the-way-of-the-monkey/) - Read Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay on self-reliance and this quote from Zoroaster jumped out at me. A variation of the "God helps those who help themselves" theme: "To the persevering mortal, the blessed Immortals are swift." Which in turn reminded me of a Hindu story Joseph Campbell told in Myths to Live By, "There is
- [A Faith That Move Things](https://www.christianorthodox.net/a-faith-that-move-things/) - A verse from today's Gospel, Luke 17:6, "So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you." A mustard seed is symbolic of the type of faith we need
- [From Worry to Worship](https://www.christianorthodox.net/from-worry-to-worship/) - Last night I began reading the prophet Habakkuk. A short book containing only three chapters it is unique in many way among the prophets in that it is primarily a theodicy. That is, it is a prophecy about the impending fall of Judah and Jerusalem and also the ultimate fall of the Babylonians at the
- [A Symphony of Virtues](https://www.christianorthodox.net/a-symphony-of-virtues/) - Started 2 Peter for my morning NT reading time. 2 Peter is one of the last books of the NT to be accepted universally by Christians and one of the most hotly debated in terms of authorship among Christians since ancient times. It did not receive universal acceptance until the late fourth century at the
- [Homosexuality - Lost in Translation?](https://www.christianorthodox.net/homosexuality-lost-in-translation/) - For those Christians posting articles and videos about "what the Bible really says" about homosexuality and saying traditional Christians are misled by "poor translations": How is it that for three thousand years these interpretations were never taught by the Jews or the Greek Church fathers for whom the Biblical languages were their native tongues and
- [Hume's Hamster Wheel](https://www.christianorthodox.net/humes-hamster-wheel/) - In a recent exchange with an anti-theist I was asked to defend the supernatural and why the Bible is similar to so many other ancient religious texts. I think that last claim is exaggerated but I chose not to quibble about it. As for the first criticism, it is interesting how often the philosophical naturalist's
- [Orthodox Quantum Realism](https://www.christianorthodox.net/orthodox-quantum-realism/) - A few months ago, I read Rocco Boni's Quantum Christian Realism, a fascinating book that explores how quantum physics- especially its discoveries about indeterminacy and immateriality- can help ground key Christian doctrines like free will, providence, and soul–body hylomorphism/ dualism at the most fundamental layer of reality. A couple of years ago, I came across
- [“You Keep Using That Word: I Do Not Think Economia Means What You Think It Means”](https://www.christianorthodox.net/you-keep-using-that-word-i-do-not-think-economia-means-what-you-think-it-means/) - It’s a scene every moviegoer remembers: Vizzini, convinced of his own brilliance, keeps shouting “Inconceivable!” every time events defy his expectations. Finally, Inigo Montoya turns to him and delivers the perfect rebuke: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” The same could be said of much
- [Rigorism Revisited: The Orthodox Church and the Genuine Tradition of Baptism](https://www.christianorthodox.net/rigorism-revisited-the-orthodox-church-and-the-genuine-tradition-of-baptism/) - Many well-meaning Orthodox Christians today, eager to preserve the purity of the Church, have revived a rigorist approach to baptism and the reception of converts, advocating for universal rebaptism and denying the validity of any baptism performed outside visible Orthodox boundaries. While this impulse comes from genuine zeal for the faith, it constitutes the resurrection
- [Wrestling with Giants and Genocide: Reframing the Old Testament’s Toughest Narratives](https://www.christianorthodox.net/wrestling-with-giants-and-genocide-reframing-the-old-testaments-toughest-narratives/) - Wrestling with the “Genocide Commands” of the Old Testament: Giants, Rhetoric, and Spiritual Battle For readers troubled by the Old Testament’s stories of conquest and destruction, there are few issues more challenging than the so-called “genocide commands.” Did God really endorse wholesale slaughter? Recent theological and biblical scholarship - especially through the work of Michael
- [Dave's Dialogues: Sola Scriptura](https://www.christianorthodox.net/daves-dialogues-sola-scriptura/) - IntroductionTwo men sit across a wooden table in a dimly lit library. Andrew, an Orthodox Christian, leans forward with a well-worn Septuagint and patristic writings at his elbow. Martin, an earnest evangelical, grips his KJV Bible. Their debate centers on authority: Scripture alone versus Scripture and Holy Tradition. Andrew argues that sola scriptura is a
- [Reflections on a Homily on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women](https://www.christianorthodox.net/reflections-on-a-homily-on-the-sunday-of-the-myrrh-bearing-women/) - I recently listened to a homily on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women by Fr. Peter Heers. It started off well enough and was delivered with eloquence, it promised to be a good sermon. But, at the halfway point, it took a turn into eisegesis — working one's favorite issues into a Gospel pericope that
- [Where Did Enoch and Elijah Go? (And Why It Matters for Us)](https://www.christianorthodox.net/where-did-enoch-and-elijah-go-and-why-it-matters-for-us/) - The stories of Enoch and Elijah have fascinated Christians for centuries. Both men, according to Scripture, were taken from this world in extraordinary ways—Enoch “walked with God, and was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24), and Elijah was swept up in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11). Many wonder: did they escape death and
- [The Morning Preparation: A Spiritual Strategy Against Temptations](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-morning-preparation-a-spiritual-strategy-against-temptations/) - A Morning Spiritual Strategy: Preparing for Daily TemptationsThe morning is a sacred time for Orthodox Christians, a moment to dedicate the day to God and prepare spiritually for the challenges ahead. The Church Fathers teach us that vigilance at dawn is essential for spiritual warfare, as the mind is most receptive to divine grace when
- [When Are Guardian Angels Assigned to Humans? A Theological Exploration](https://www.christianorthodox.net/when-are-guardian-angels-assigned-to-humans-a-theological-exploration/) - The question of whether guardian angels are assigned at birth or baptism occupies a significant place in Orthodox Christian theology, reflecting broader themes of divine providence, human dignity, and sacramental grace. Two primary perspectives emerge: one emphasizing angelic guardianship as inherent to human nature from the moment of birth, and the other linking it to
- [An Examination of Conscience Based on St. John Cassian](https://www.christianorthodox.net/an-examination-of-conscience-based-on-st-john-cassian/) - The Importance of Daily Examination of ConscienceThe Church Fathers emphasize the necessity of a daily examination of conscience as a powerful tool for spiritual growth. St. Paul commands Christians to examine themselves before receiving Holy Communion, warning that unworthy reception leads to judgment (1 Corinthians 11:28–31). Early monastic figures like St. Anthony, St. Augustine, and
- [The Fulfillment of the Law in Christ: An Orthodox Christian Perspective](https://www.christianorthodox.net/the-fulfillment-of-the-law-in-christ-an-orthodox-christian-perspective/) - The Fulfillment of the Law in Christ: An Orthodox Christian PerspectiveA comment on social media recently caught my attention: "Christ said He didn't come to abolish the Law, but He totally did abolish (fulfill) the Law, and there is no remnant of the Law left, clearly." This statement reflects a common misunderstanding of Christ's relationship

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- [About](https://www.christianorthodox.net/about/) - Dn. David Hawthorne Deacon David is a native Texan, born in Corpus Christi. He became serious about the Christian faith during high school and pursued his studies at Bible college, graduating with a degree in Theology. After college, Dn. David lived in Japan for five years, where he discovered and embraced the Orthodox Christian faith,
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- [An Orthodox Bible Reading Plan ](https://www.christianorthodox.net/an-orthodox-bible-reading-plan/) - Over the years I have tried many different Bible reading plans that took me systematically through the Scriptures on a regular basis. For about three years I followed a plan I devised that took me through the New Testament once every three months and the Old Testament once a year. I have also used one
- [Orthodox New Testament](https://www.christianorthodox.net/orthodox-new-testament/) - For the revision notes please see My King James Version - Patriarchal Text New Testament (will open in a new window, so you won't lose this page). I would appreciate your comments and feedback! [raw] [/raw]
- [King James Version - Patriarchal Text](https://www.christianorthodox.net/orthodox-new-testament/king-james-version-patriarchal-text/) - CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ORTHODOX NEW TESTAMENT (KJV-PT) This is a project I have been working on for a while and, although it is still in what I would consider rough draft form I thought I would put it online for the edification of anyone who wants to benefit from it as well
- [78 Verses](https://www.christianorthodox.net/78-verses/) - Thank you very much for requesting "The Seven Minute Bible - The Entire Bible In 78 Verses"! You can download the ebook below. Right-click on ebook cover or on the link below that says “DOWNLOAD EBOOK HERE” and then left-click on “Save Link As…” (on some browsers it may say, “Save Target As…”). Once you
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