Doctrine | The Church of Jesus Christ

Nov 04 2009

Religion is Not about Belief: Karen Armstrong’s The Case for God

Category: Atheism, Book Review — Polycarp @ 10:18 am

I’m reading this book for Random House, and finding it, well, it’s difficult not to attempt to correct her theological assessments of early Christianity. I do, however, feel she gets the late 4th century’s Trinitarian development and the subsequent development of Eastern mysticism related to this doctrine quite well. For me, the deity of Christ is fundamental to the Christian religion, but her book is not an attempt at theology, but to argue against the militant atheists who see religion only in extreme fundamentalists terms. Further, I think she treats the mystical religions with a great deal more respect than Christianity, but again, the point of her book is as I said above. I should have the review by the end of the week (or next).

Below is take on the book from someone else:

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Tags: belief, Doctrine, karen armstrong, random house, the case for God

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Aug 31 2009

In the Mail: Something I Want to Read Edition

Category: Book Review, Theology — Polycarp @ 2:09 pm

Thanks to IVP-Academic for this copy. I cannot wait to read it. Above all, the Incarnation is my quintessential doctrine – for the life of the Christian is tied into the life of Christ.

I recieved it on Friday, and am now trying to finish a few more books before I tackle this one.

This is the first of a two part series from the late theologian, Thomas Torrance. I look forward to reading it.

Tags: Doctrine, incarnation, ivp-academic

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Aug 27 2009

Fragments of a letter from Alexander of Alexandria to Sylvester of Rome

Category: Fourth Century, Godhead, Theology — Polycarp @ 11:59 pm

We are continuing our look at the Arian documents of the Fourth Century. For those of just joining us, this is an exercise for me, although I hope others feel free to join in.

This Sylvester was the Bishop of Rome during Nicea. He didn’t attend, but did send legates. It is rightly said that the Arian controversy concerned the East, rather, played out in the East, but Rome kept an eye on it, and eventually would be the See which offered the compromise which because standarized in 381.

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Tags: arius, church history, Doctrine, God, heresies, religion, theology proper, trinity

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Aug 26 2009

Letter of Alexander of Alexandria Sent to Melitius and All Bishops

Category: Fourth Century, Godhead, Theology — Polycarp @ 7:59 pm

As the debate intensified across the Empire, Alexander began to appeal to more for help in stemming the tide of Arianism.

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Tags: arius, church history, Doctrine, God, heresies, religion, theology proper, trinity

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Aug 25 2009

Letter from Alexander of Alexandria to his Clergy

Category: Fourth Century, Godhead, Theology — Polycarp @ 7:59 pm

The Fourth Century is the most interesting time in the development of Christian doctrines. For me, we can find heroes of the Faith, Athanasius, Marcellus, Julius, and evil scoundrels – Arius, the various Eusebius’, the Roman Emperors. Here is a short letter from the great Bishop of the city of Alexander to his clergy. By this time, the local church had evolved from the house church in Acts, to actual church buildings, to a central building with satellites throughout the city or area. What had evolved from a few in leadership, with one surrounded by a council gave away to the council having their own independent parishes.

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Tags: arius, church history, Doctrine, God, heresies, religion, theology proper, trinity

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Aug 25 2009

Review: Pillars of Theology: Calvin

Category: Book Review, Theology — Polycarp @ 10:24 am

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Product Description
Abingdon Pillars of Theology is a series for the college and seminary classroom designed to help students grasp the basic and necessary facts, influence, and significance of major theologians. Written by noted scholars, these books outline the context, methodology, organizing principles, primary contributions, and key writings of people who have shaped theology as we know it today. John Calvin (1509-1564) continues to be read and discussed because he illumines our human experience. Although inseparable from his context, Calvin’s theology speaks for itself, thus identifying ways Calvin remains a living voice for those who struggle with the meaning of Christian faith.

Paperback: 85 pages

Publisher: Abingdon Press (August 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0687659132

ISBN-13: 978-0687659135

Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches

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Tags: abingdon press, calvinism, Doctrine, election, john calvin, vocation

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Jul 29 2009

Beginning Thoughts on The Only True God – Copernicum (5)

Category: Book Review, Genesis, Godhead, Theology — Polycarp @ 7:59 pm

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I have been reviewing James McGrath’s book, The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context. While I do not want to give away the ’spoilers’ so to speak, I want to give an honest review, so here it goes:

During the first chapters of the book, McGrath lays out well his understanding of monotheism in ancient Judaism, which he continues to build upon in later chapters. It is here, as any good author does, that he plants seeds which is brought to fruition as he progresses. It is also here where he gets my attention with such motifs for monotheism as worship and creation.

McGrath approaches the subject with care, and almost apprehension, so as to not go too far too fast. He writes for the common reader, often explaining himself in more detail than perhaps he should – but this is to the reader’s advantage. Further, from time to time he leads his readers back to previous explanations, reminding them before he proceeds.

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Tags: copernicum, creationism, Doctrine, God, james mcgrath, Jesus Christ, lordship, mishnah, monotheism, religion, scholarship, sonship, Talmud, temple, the only true god, two powers, University of Illinois

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Jul 28 2009

Letter of Alexander of Alexandria to all Bishops

Category: Fourth Century, Godhead, Theology — Polycarp @ 3:35 pm

For all of those just joining us, I am, for myself, reading through the Arian documents of the 4th century – the most wonderful century in Church history. If you thought that the Reformation was political…

According to several scholars, it is possible that Athanasius had a strong hand in writing this. Remember, Athanasius succeeded Alexander as Bishop of Alexandria, facing expulsion and exile many times because he maintained the doctrine presented here. I am reminded that during this time, the See of Alexandria was powerful, competing only with Rome (the canons at Nicaea gave special recognition to both Rome and Alexandria).

This letter is clear on the divinity of the Word from the very beginning.

Alexander, to our beloved and most honored fellow-ministers of the Catholic Church everywhere. Greetings in the Lord!

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Tags: arius, church history, Doctrine, God, heresies, religion, theology proper, trinity

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Jul 28 2009

More Thoughts on The Only True God (4)

Category: Book Review, Genesis, Godhead, Theology — Polycarp @ 11:48 am

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By now, most of you know that I have been reviewing James McGrath’s latest book, The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context. This will be my last in the series of the rolling reviews, with a final review to follow sometime this week.

In this chapter co-written with Dr. Jerry Truex, McGrath dialogues with Alan Segal’s theory on the Two Powers Heresy in early Rabbinic Judaism. Segal interprets this theory as a ‘principal angelic or hypostatic manifestation in heaven was equivalent to God.’ (p124, n1). Segal’s point, I believe, is that he feels Christianity developed from this hypothetical heresy supposedly found in 1st century Judaism, or at the very list, Segal believes that the two powers heresy found in later Jewish sources refer to the burgeoning Christian movement.

This, besides the endnotes, is the major problem of the book. While some may find it pleasing to see McGrath dialogue with others on this subject – primarily Hurtado and Bauckham, it feels to me as if I am joining a trilogy on the last few pages of a book. While I do not dismiss the need for such dialogues, especially in this field, I feel that more attention should have been given to establishing arguments independent of other works, not based as a response to them (if this was possible).

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