Doug’s Theological Thoughts

  • Saints of the Day 2024-12-13

    Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes of Greater Armenia Circa 300 AD. Persecuted under the emperors Diocletian and Maximianus. Orthodox Christianity Then and Now Lucia the Virgin-martyr Orthodox Christianity Then and Now Herman the Wonderworker of Alaska & First Saint of America Orthodox Christianity Then and Now Gabriel the Hieromartyr, Archbishop of Serbia Orthodox…

  • Principalities and powers in heavenly places

    Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Leads to this verse: Ephesians 3:14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and…

  • Ancient Paths vs the Ancient Path

    The YouTube video channel ancientpathstv produces some interesting content. It’s done by a Presbyterian pastor and has critiques of pretty much every other Christian sect including Eastern Orthodoxy. I’ve enjoyed the videos in the Anabaptists and the “radical reformation” quite a bit. They show the lawlessness and even warfare that resulted from that path of…

  • He shall be called a Nazar*

    Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

  • Eusebius Source Materials

    Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History is important as a witness to Apostolic Succession. Composition began around 311, and 4 versions were issued.  The final version of the text appeared soon after the fall of Licinius in 323. Eusebius had access to the Theological Library of Caesarea and made use of many ecclesiastical monuments and documents, acts of…

  • The Death of Logical Positivism

    The original version of this book killed off Logical Positivism. Here’s a PDF of the essay.

  • Bishops and Episcopos

    Perry Robinson looks at the difference between Bishops and Episcopos.

  • Gospel Reading 2025-01-14

    LUKE 20:1-8At that time, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to Him, ‘Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.’ He answered them, ‘I also…

  • Epistle of the Day 2025-01-14

    The reading ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 3:23-29; 4:1-5Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under…

  • Saints of the Day 2025-01-14

    The Holy Martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus The Holy Martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus, Slavs by origin, lived at the beginning of the fourth century during a persecution against Christians by the emperor Licinius (311-324). Saint Hermylus served as deacon in the city of Singidunum (Belgrade). Condemned by Licinius to imprisonment, he was long and cruelly tortured…

  • Zacharias son of Barachias

    Here’s an interesting verse: Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. The name Zacharias son of Barachias is an enigmatic name. Zacharias is an…

  • On Hating the “Institution” of the Church

    Gospel reading for today. ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 4:7-13 BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (in saying, “He ascended, ” what does it…

  • Jesus Among the Gentiles

    Gospel Reading of the Day MATTHEW 4:12-17 At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of…

  • Saints of the Day 2025-01-12

    Tatiana the Martyr of Rome (200’s AD) The Holy Virgin Martyr Tatiana was born into an illustrious Roman family, and her father was elected consul three times. He was secretly a Christian and raised his daughter to be devoted to God and the Church. When she reached the age of maturity, Tatiana decided to remain…

  • Taking a Social Media Break

    If Jesus needed to get away and pray, so much more I need to do the same. Luke 5:15-16 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and…

  • Saints of the Day 2025-01-10

    Gregory of Nyssa In the year 372, Gregory of Nyssa was consecrated by Saint Basil the Great as bishop of the city of Nyssa in Cappadocia. Saint Gregory was an ardent advocate for Orthodoxy, and he fought against the Arian heresy with his brother Saint Basil. Gregory was persecuted by the Arians, by whom he…

  • Saints of the Day 2025-01-09

    Polyeuctus the Martyr of Melitene in Armenia Saint Polyeuktos went to the city square, and tore up the edict of Decius which required everyone to worship the idols. A few moments later, he met a procession carrying twelve idols through the streets of the city. Dashing the idols to the ground, he trampled them underfoot.…

  • The Biblical Case for the Dec. 25th Birth of Christ

    Page here

  • The Theotokos in Psalm 5

    Using Reading the Nativity Psalms to understand Psalm 5. Psalm 5:1 [For the end, a Psalm of David, concerning her that inherits.] 2 Hearken to my words, O Lord, attend to my cry. 3 Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King, and my God: for to thee, O Lord, will I pray. 4…

  • The Cappadocian Fathers

    From Grok. The Cappadocian Fathers—St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nazianzus (also known as Gregory the Theologian), and St. Gregory of Nyssa—made profound contributions to the Eastern Orthodox Church, particularly in the realms of theology, liturgy, and monasticism. Here’s a summary of their major contributions: Theological Contributions: Liturgical and Ecclesiological Contributions: Philosophical and Ethical…

  • From Plato to Augustine to Calvin

    The following was from Grok (X/Twitter AI tool) since I’m not a subject matter expert. It was posed as a series of questions and answers. The questions are in bold. What is the link between Plato, Augustine, and Calvin? The link between Plato, Augustine, and John Calvin can be traced through philosophical and theological influences…

  • “Mysteries” in the Orthodox Church

    One word that I found difficult to understand when I studied Orthodoxy is the word “mystery”. In particular, the Orthodox Church refers to “The Mysteries” often in terms of the Seven Sacraments. One page puts it well. Unlike some other Christian denominations, which may view sacraments primarily as symbolic rituals, Orthodox Christians believe that the…

  • Reading the Nativity Psalms

    These are notes from a lecture by Dr. Justin Gohl, Lecturer in Old Testament at St Tikhon’s Seminary, (Here are some of his numerous publications). Any errors in the following are all mine and not Dr. Gohl’s. I wrote it up here to preserve it for my own future reference and application and anyone who…

  • Saints for Today – 2024-12-12

    Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trymithous Orthodox Christianity Then and Now Holy New Martyr Peter the Aleut Orthodox Christianity Then and Now John (or Joachim), Bishop of Zichni Orthodox Christianity Then and Now

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