— The Origin of Apologetics and the Maturity of Theocratic Communities through the Lens of the Creation Narrative Even for an omniscient and omnipotent God, definitions, from a human-centred perspective, must continually be expanded. Across the long river of history, we need certain anchor points by which to mark our Read more
Introduction Christian apologetics was not a later intellectual luxury added to the church after the apostolic age. Biblically, it arose from the church’s calling to confess Christ truthfully in a hostile world. The term “apologetics” derives from the Greek ἀπολογία (apologia), signifying a reasoned defense or formal reply. In the Read more
Introduction The Apostles’ Creed is not a complete system of theology, yet it functions as a remarkably concise doctrinal framework for historic Christianity. In compressed form, it identifies the core affirmations of the Christian faith: the existence of God the Father Almighty, the creation of heaven and earth, the identity Read more
Do you know the difference between the catholic Church and the Catholic Church? In the context of Early Church history, the word catholic does not originally mean the modern Roman Catholic Church. Rather, it refers to the universal Church — the Church of Jesus Christ for all nations. The word Read more
(French, Original Text, 1561) Nous croyons tous de cœur et confessons de bouche qu’il y a un seul Dieu,qui est une seule et simple essence spirituelle,que nous appelons Dieu,éternel,incompréhensible,invisible,immuable,infini,tout-puissant,parfaitement sage,juste,bon,et la source très abondante de tout bien. (English, Morden Version) We all believe in our heartsand confess with our mouthsthat Read more
(Latin, Traditional Text) Quicumque vult salvus esse,ante omnia opus est ut teneat catholicam fidem. Quam nisi quisque integram inviolatamque servaverit,absque dubio in aeternum peribit. Fides autem catholica haec est:ut unum Deum in Trinitate,et Trinitatem in Unitate veneremur; neque confundentes personas,neque substantiam separantes. Alia est enim persona Patris,alia Filii,alia Spiritus Sancti. Read more
(Koine Greek, Original Conciliar Text) Πιστεύομεν εἰς ἕνα Θεὸν,Πατέρα παντοκράτορα,ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς,ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων. Καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν,τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ,τὸν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς γεννηθέντα πρὸ πάντων τῶν αἰώνων,φῶς ἐκ φωτός,Θεὸν ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ,γεννηθέντα οὐ ποιηθέντα,ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί,δι’ οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο. Read more
(Latin)Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem,Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum,Filium eius unicum,Dominum nostrum,qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto,natus ex Maria Virgine,passus sub Pontio Pilato,crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus;descendit ad inferos;tertia die resurrexit a mortuis;ascendit ad caelos,sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis;inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Read more