Doug’s Theological Thoughts
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A Virgin Shall Conceive
In the KJV: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Hebrew word translated “virgin”. Note on ‘almâ: “There is no instance where it can be proved that ‘almâ designates a young woman who is not a…
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Dedicated Virgin in the Old Testament
The daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite was a sort-of dedicated virgin in the Old Testament. There are parallels to this story and the Theotokos. Judges 11:34-40 And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside…
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Gospel Reading – 2025-01-17
LUKE 6:17-23At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits…
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Epistle Reading – 2025-01-17
Today’s epistle reading is: ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 13:17-21Brethren, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for…
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Saints of the Day – 2025-01-17
Anthony the Great Saint Anthony the Great is known as the Father of monasticism, and the long ascetical sermon in The Life of Saint Anthony by Saint Athanasius (Sections 16-34), could be called the first monastic Rule. He was born in Egypt in the village of Coma, near the desert of the Thebaid, in the…
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Do the Jews Need a Temple?
Under the Old Testament Law, Jews were required to go to the Temple several times a year. There were various sacrifices described in the book of Leviticus (and other books), These required a tabernacle or Temple and priests (sons of Aaron) to offer the sacrifices. For example: Leviticus 17:3-4 What man soever there be of…
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Rebuild a Third Temple?
There has long been a Zionist desire to rebuild the Third Temple. This desire is found among some Zionist Jews but many more Zionist Christians. Jews today go to the “wailing” wall (aka Western Wall) to mourn the destruction of the Temple and pray for a third temple to be built there. I was there…
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Jesus as Prophet
As Christians, we know Jesus as the Son of God. This is His Divine Nature. He was God by nature from before all time. As the Creator, all things were made by Him. We also know of Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King. These are from His human nature. Jesus’ prophetic role was foretold by…
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Gospel Reading – 2025-01-16
The Gospel reading today relates to the Saint of the day (Peter in chains) and the reading from the Book of the Acts of Apostles. JOHN 21:14-25 At that time, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. And he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you…
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Saints of the Day – 2025-01-16
Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter The Veneration of the Honorable Chains of the Holy and All-Praised Apostle Peter: In about the year 42, on the orders of Herod Agrippa, the Apostle Peter was thrown into prison for preaching about Christ the Savior. In prison he was held secure…
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Archaeologists Discover Notable 1,500-Year-Old Monastery With Mosaic Floor
Newsweek 2025-01-15 Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a significant Christian monastery dating back to roughly 1,500 years ago at a site in Israel. The remains include a remarkable colorful mosaic floor with an inscription written in Greek—taken from the Book of Deuteronomy—that translates roughly to: “Blessed are you when you come in and blessed…
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The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,Son of God.Have mercy on me,A sinner. 1920×1080 screen background. Minimize windows. Pull out prayer rope. Pray. From Wikipedia.
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Ancient Faith Prayer Book
Excellent Resource — Prayers. On Amazon (Large Print edition – good for old eyes or reading in the dark). Edited by Vassilios Papavassiliou, the Ancient Faith Prayer Book brings together the most ancient and popular prayers of Orthodox Christians with some additions that address issues of contemporary life, all rendered in elegant contemporary English.
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Gospel Reading – 2025-01-15
LUKE 12:32-40The Lord said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where…
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Epistle Reading – 2025-01-15
ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 5:22-26; 6:1-2Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk…
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Land Promises to Israel Were Already Fulfilled
In the time of Joshua, all the land promises were fulfilled. Joshua 21:43-45 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and…
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Saints of the Day – 2025-01-15
Paul of Thebes Saint Paul of Thebes was born in Egypt around 227 in the Thebaid of Egypt. Settling into a mountain cave, Saint Paul dwelt there for ninety-one years, praying incessantly to God both day and night. He sustained himself on dates and bread, which a raven brought him, and he clothed himself with…
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Cycles of Revenge
I found a useful graphic. It illustrates what happens when a victim becomes a victimizer. There is a way to escape this cycle. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. And this: Psalm 103:6 The LORD…
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Gospel Reading for Today – 2025-01-14
LUKE 4:1-15At that time Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone…
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Reading from Acts – 2025-01-14
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2:38-43In those days, Peter said to the people, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all…
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Saints of the Day – 2025-01-14
The Holy Fathers slain at Sinai and Raitho There were two occasions when the monks and hermits at Sinai and Raithu were murdered by the barbarians. The first took place in the fourth century when forty Fathers were killed at Mount Sinai, and thirty-nine were slain at Raithu on the same day. Mount Sinai, where…
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Frequency of Communion
This is an old post. Read with caution… I have been asked in the past how often I think that a church should take the Lord’s Supper (Communion). This is a tough question to answer for a couple of reasons. The Bible seems to indicate that we should celebrate it every time we meet together.…
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Towards a Theory of the Church
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church The Nicene Creed declares the Church to be One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. These are often called the four marks of the church. Can a Protestant affirm these words from the Nicene Creed or does he/she redefine the words from their traditional meaning when using the words? I don’t…
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Time Markers and Bible Prophecy
The Olivette Discourse is the words of Jesus that he spoke from the Mount of Olives. This is found in Matt 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. It describes the events that would happen to Jerusalem. Jesus is answering a question that the disciple asks him. Matt 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount…
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