Symeon the New Theologian was born in Galatia in the year 949. He was educated in Constantinople, and became abbot of the monastery of St. Mamas. He reposed on March 12, 1022. In his second Ethical Discourse, he discusses a number of topics, including St. Paul’s doctrine of predestination and following the consensus of the […]
On Foreknowledge and Freewill
Calvinists suggest that God’s foreknowledge is based on His decretal plan and/or knowledge of causal relations rather then based on the future. The Early Church Fathers disagree. (H/T SEA) Diodore of Tarsus (circa 390) This text [Romans 8:29-30] does not take away our free will. It uses the word foreknew before predestined. Now it is […]
On Human Suffering
WHO’S TO BLAME FOR HUMAN SUFFERING? By Scott Cairns How can one believe in a loving God who allows the innocent to suffer? I’ve been asked this many times, and I’ve never been quick to answer. Subconsciously, I’ve probably asked much the same thing in the past. While I may not frame the matter this […]
On Perseverance
by Derek Ouellette The earliest Christians understood salvation differently than many today do. While the Church Father’s did not agree on everything, when they speak with one voice on any particular subject I think wisdom dictates that we should listen and give their voice a great deal of weight. Such is the subject of this […]