Doug’s Theological Thoughts

  • Najran Massacre

    The Massacre of Christians in Najran (523 CE) The most prominent historical event referred to as the “massacre of Christians in Yemen” is the persecution and mass killing of Christians in the city of Najran (in modern-day southwestern Saudi Arabia, but part of ancient Himyarite Yemen) in 523 CE. This event, carried out under the…

  • Priestly Vestments

    Exodus 28 provides detailed instructions from God to Moses about the garments for Aaron, the high priest, and his sons. These include the ephod, breastpiece, robe, tunic, turban, and sash, with specifics on materials (gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarn, and fine linen), design, and symbolic elements like the twelve gemstones representing the tribes of Israel.…

  • John the Forerunner

    There’s a tradition of the Orthodox Church, not in the Bible, that John the Baptist went to Hades and preached about Jesus there. His mission wasn’t just to those on earth, but also to those awaiting the Messiah. And of course, it makes perfect sense. What else would John do? He isn’t the sort of…

  • Most Holy Theotokos, Save Us

    Fr. Prof. Staniloae, homily at Dormition: Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who was born as a human, under the natural law, but not according to the natural law. He was born exceeding the blind laws of regular human birth and, because of that, He was able to be without sin and he was…

  • Honoring Relics

    The Patriarchs commanded their sons to take their bones out of Egypt and bring them into the Promised Land. Their bones were buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. To this day, Jews go there to pray. Why would Christian tradition be any different? We have the same roots. If they honor Abraham…

  • Everybody is Kissing the Wall…

    There is a real lack of basic historical knowledge among Christians about the Western (wailing) wall in Jerusalem. Many believe it’s always been a place Christians go to worship and that it’s somehow “holy” to Christians today. Bottom line: It wasn’t a place Christians considered holy nor did they go to the Temple wall until…

  • Woman Caught in Adultery

    There’s a claim in the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8) as well as an unresolved issue. The story was intended as a trap for Jesus which he managed to outwit (v 6) without violating the Law. The claim was “she was caught in the act”. The requirement of the Law was…

  • If they abide not still in unbelief

    Romans 11:17-21And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt…

  • Online Orthodox Drama?

    Eastern Orthodox vs Oriental Orthodox Statement of the Orthodox Church of Antioch on the Relations between the Eastern and Syrian Orthodox Churches The debate that started it earlier??? Dyer insults Oriental Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary – Livonia, MI A lot of brown brothers in this Antiochian Orthodox parish in Michigan. Orthodoxy and Racism Racist Rage…

  • Do Unbaptized Babies go to Hell? (Chrysostom, Augustine, and Original Sin)

  • Orthodox Dogmatic Theology

    By Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky On-Line Book For sale on Amazon Excellent presentation of Orthodox dogmatics with very strong Scriptural support.

  • Orthodoxy and Racism

    Tuesday, February 27, 2018 – A Statement Concerning the Sin of Racism All of this obviously precludes any personal hatred, prejudice, or resentment of others on account of their “race” or nationality, and it must also lead Orthodox Christians to reject and oppose systemic or institutional injustice against racial or national minorities. Furthermore, it means…

  • History of Eschatological Paradigms

    It’s somewhat difficult to directly determine what constitutes the Orthodox view of Eschatology since there is very little written on the subject. This can be a shock to a western thinker since the western church has developed an unhealthy obsession with the subject starting with the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. It is relatively easy, though, to…

  • Orthodoxy vs Christian Zionism (Grok)

    Christian Zionism, the belief that the modern state of Israel is a divinely ordained fulfillment of biblical prophecy and that Christians should actively support its political and territorial aims, is a controversial topic within Christian theology. Orthodox Christian theology, rooted in the patristic tradition and the teachings of the early Church Fathers, offers several arguments…

  • Saints – 2025-04-07

    Calliopus and Akylina the Martyrs George, Bishop of Mytilene Gerasimos the God-Bearer of Byzantium Righteous Father Savvas the New of Kalymnos Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America

  • Saints – 2025-04-06

    Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople 120 Martyrs of Persia Gregory of Sinai Platonis the Nun of Nisibis

  • Saints – 2025-03-26

    26 Martyrs in Crimea Presbyter Bercus; Monk Arpilus; laymen and women Abibus, Agnus, Reasus, Igathrax, Iscoeus (Iskous), Silas, Signicus, Sonirilus, Suimbalus, Thermus, Phillus (Philgas), Bathusius, Anna, Alla, Larissa, Monco (Manca), Uirko (Virko), Animais (Animaida), Queen Gaatha, and Princess Duklida, were among twenty-six martyrs who were killed by the Goths around the year 375 under Jungerich,…

  • OT Text – 2025-03-24

    ISAIAH 14:24-32The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains trample him under foot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.” This…

  • Saints – 2025-03-24

    Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos The Feast of the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated on one day March 25, exactly nine months before the Nativity of Christ. There is one day of Prefeast (March 24), followed by the Feast itself. On March 26, we celebrate the Synaxis of the Archangel…

  • Christian vs Muslim Eschatology

    Islam borrowed a lot of the Christian views of the End Times but perverted the truths from the Christian faith. One particular point of difference is what happens when Christ returns. For Muslims, Christ, at His return, will lead an army and fight wars against HIs enemies. From Grok: The Second Coming of Jesus Muslims…

  • OT Text – 2025-03-10 (3)

    GENESIS 3:21-4:7And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them. Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and…

  • OT Text – 2025-03-10 (2)

    PROVERBS 3:34-4:22Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace. Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight; for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my…

  • OT Text – 2025-03-10 (1)

    ISAIAH 4:2-5:7In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, every one who has been recorded for life in…

  • Saints – 2025-03-10

    Quadratus the Martyr & his Companions By order of the impious emperor Decius (249-251), the military prefect Jason arrived at Corinth to torture and slay Christians. Since Quadratus was the eldest, he spoke for the rest. The saint bravely defended his faith in Christ the Savior, then they began the torture. Saint Quadratus, despite inhuman…