God, as the Cause of all things, is neither one, nor oneness (οὔτε ἓν οὔτε ἑνότης). Because of divine simplicity and the analogy mathematics often given to metaphysics, God is often called “one” or “The One” in kataphatic theology. God is one, not multiple, that is God is one and not composed of many parts. God can be said to be the one who causes and establishes the many. In the Divine Names, Dionysius explained how and why the name... Read more
It’s been nearly a year since Hurricane Maria wrecked its havoc across the Atlantic. The destruction which was left in its wake makes Maria one of the worst natural disasters to affect Puerto Rico in recorded history. Sadly, despite being a territory of the United States since 1898, the people of Puerto Rico have been treated badly, with little to no concern about their wellbeing. Alexia Fernández Campbell, writing for Vox, indicated that Puerto Rico’s lack of political power could... Read more
Nicolaus, one of the first seven deacons, whose followers (if not himself) were condemned in the Apocalypse (cf. Rev. 2:16), was quoted by his followers as saying “One must misuse the flesh.”[1] After mentioning this earlier in the Stromata, St. Clement of Alexandria returned to it, putting context to the dictum: But when we mentioned Nicolaus’ remark we omitted one point. They say that he had a pretty wife. After the Saviour’s resurrection he was accused of jealousy by the... Read more
God’s presence is manifest as the kingdom of heaven; because of this he is called King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He establishes the kingdom through his divine authority. In a sense, a kingdom and the one who presides over it are one and the same, for without the presence of the king the kingdom is no longer a kingdom. This is how and why kingship and kingdom are represented by the Greek, βασιλεία (basileíā ), with the king... Read more
In the aftermath of the revelations of sexual abuse and its cover up by various leaders of the church, we should never forget the reason for our outrage. We must never forget the harm which many have suffered at the hands of ordained minsters who they trusted. We should remember the victims, but we should do more than that, we should listen to them, hear their stories, no matter how difficult it is, and truly discern what happened, why it... Read more
Once the order was given at Scetis, ‘Fast this week.’ Now it happened that some brothers came from Egypt to visit Abba Moses and he cooked something for them. Seeing some smoke, the neighbours said to the ministers, ‘Look, Moses has broken the commandment and has cooked something in his cell.’ The ministers said, ‘When he comes, we will speak to him ourselves.’ When the Saturday came, since they knew Abba Moses’ remarkable way of life, the ministers said to... Read more
Dionysius, continuing with his apophatic denials, purifying us from the limitations which would be imposed upon him that come as a result of our conventions, presented a massive challenge to all philosophical and theological inquiry when he wrote that God is not truth. The means by which he established this is two-fold: first, he explained that we cannot touch God with our intellect, and so he reaffirmed the incomprehensible nature of God: neither is Its touch (ἐπαφή) intelligible (νοητὴ). Because... Read more
Faith is to be lived, not researched. Faith, fidelity, is manifest in love, in the way we live out that faith, and not in the way we can research and recite the way others have presented their faith. We get more out of a simple life, living life with justice and love, than we do in a life lived in pursuit of intellectual discourse founded solely upon scholarly endeavors. We can know much through study; we certainly can benefit greatly... Read more
One of the earliest leaders of the church, Nicolaus, was called out in the Apocalypse of St. John with a warning that those who follow his guidance will find themselves opposed by Jesus. He said he would come against them with the “sword” of his mouth (that is, justice): So you also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my... Read more
God is not to be confused with creation. Pantheistic interpretations of God which suggest he is in himself is one and the same with creation ends up making God tied to contingency, suffering the limitations of such contingency. Dionysius, to make sure God is not confused with contingent being, therefore wrote that God neither is essence (οὐσία) nor eternity (αἰὼν) , nor time (χρόνος). God is not οὐσία, that is, God is not the essence or substance employed by creation.... Read more
Select your answer to see how you score.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In