Doug’s Theological Thoughts

  • Does modern Israel play a role in End Times?

    New Testament scholar NT Wright on the question “Does modern Israel play a role in End Times?”

  • Saints – 2025-02-11

    Blaise the Hieromartyr of Sebastia The Hieromartyr Blaise (Blasius), Bishop of Sebaste, was known for his righteous and devout life. Unanimously chosen by the people, he was consecrated Bishop of Sebaste. This occurred during the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Licinius (307-324), fierce persecutors of Christians. Saint Blaise encouraged his flock, visited…

  • Gospel – 2025-02-08

    MATTHEW 10:16-22The Lord said to his disciples, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for…

  • Epistle – 2025-02-08

    ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 2:4-10Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him…

  • Saints – 2025-02-08

    Theodore the Commander & Great Martyr The Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates came from the city of Euchaita in Asia Minor. He was endowed with many talents, and was handsome in appearance. For his charity God enlightened him with the knowledge of Christian truth. The bravery of the saintly soldier was revealed after he, with the…

  • Gospel – 2025-02-07

    MARK 13:1-8At that time, as Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.” And…

  • Epistle – 2025-02-07

    ST. PETER’S SECOND UNIVERSAL LETTER 1:1-10SIMON PETER, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His…

  • The Perpetual Virginity of Mary

    First, why I used to disbelieve in the perpetual virginity of Mary: I wrote a paper in 1997 while at seminary on it where I concluded that it was based on the Protoevangelium of James (ca 150 AD). Origen, if read in particular way, it led me to conclude that. Closer examination of Origin led…

  • Saints – 2025-02-07

    Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsacus In 325, during the reign of Constantine the Great, Archbishop Achilles of Kyzikos appointed him as Bishop of Lampsakos (in Asia Minor). Many pagans lived in the city, and the Hierarch was diligent in spreading the faith in Christ, and confirming it with many miracles and healings of the sick, according…

  • Epistle – 2025-01-04

    ST. PETER’S FIRST UNIVERSAL LETTER 3:10-22Beloved, “He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and…

  • Saints – 2025-01-04

    Isidore of Pelusium Saint Isidore of Pelusium lived during the fourth-fifth centuries. He was a native of Alexandria, and was raised among pious Christians. He was a relative of Theophilus, Archbishop of Alexandria, and of his successor, Saint Cyril (January 18). While still a youth he quit the world and withdrew to Egypt to Mount…

  • Baptism and the Reception of Converts w/ Fr. John Whiteford

  • Destruction of the Temple – Part 2

    John Chrysostom Homily 76 Sermon on Matthew about the destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 AD. I should therefore be glad to inquire of the Jews. Whence came there thus upon them wrath from God intolerable, and more sore than all that had befallen aforetime, not in Judæa only, but in any part of…

  • Epistle Reading – 2025-02-03

    ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 9:11-14BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and…

  • Saints – 2025-02-03

    Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple On this first day of the Afterfeast of the Meeting of the Lord, the Church commemorates the righteous Simeon and Anna the prophetess. The following words are ascribed to Christ in Ode 9 of the Canon: “I am not held by the Elder;…

  • Saints – 2025-02-02

    The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple Luke 2:2-39 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall…

  • Gospel Reading – 2025-02-01

    LUKE 10:19-21The Lord said to his disciples, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In…

  • Epistle Reading – 2025-02-01

    ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE ROMANS 8:28-39Brethren, we know that everything works for good with those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And…

  • Fasting in the Early Church

    The Didache is first-century document which describes the practice of fasting in the earliest Church. Chapter 8. Fasting and Prayer (the Lord’s Prayer). But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week. Rather, fast on the fourth day (Wednesday) and the Preparation (Friday).…

  • Saints – 2025-02-01

    Trypho the Martyr The Martyr Tryphon was born in Phrygia, one of the districts of Asia Minor, in the village of Lampsacus. From his early years the Lord granted him the power to cast out demons and to heal various maladies. He once saved the inhabitants of his native city from starvation. Saint Tryphon, by…

  • Epistle Reading – 2025-01-31

    ST. PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS 12:27-31; 13:1-8Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all…

  • Saints – 2025-01-31

    Cyrus & John the Unmercenaries, Holy Women Martyrs Theodote, Theoktiste and Eudoxia Saint Cyrus was a noted physician in the city of Alexandria, where he had been born and raised. He was a Christian and he treated the sick without charge, not only curing their bodily afflictions, but also healing their spiritual infirmities. He would…

  • Gospel Reading – 2025-01-30

    MATTHEW 5:14-19The Lord said to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men,…

  • Epistle Reading – 2025-01-30

    ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 13:7-16Brethren, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their lives, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the…