For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man… Indeed Christ came down. Jesus, not created by but equal with God the Father was “born in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:6). The fact that God became man distinguishes … Continue reading (Nicene Creed): He Came Down From Heaven; Was Incarnate By The Holy Spirit…
As we continue in our series on the Nicene Creed, we come to a section that is the crux of the entire Creed. The phrase “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God” is carefully crafted to affirm the biblical, orthodox (dare I say catholic) understanding of the divinity of Jesus Christ, … Continue reading (Nicene Creed): God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God
The Council of Nicaea was convened in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine to resolve doctrinal issues raised by Arius, a prominent elder of the church in Alexandria, Egypt. The issues largely revolved around the Greek word monogenes. The term literally means, “only generated” and is translated “only begotten Son” in the King James Version. The term … Continue reading (Nicene Creed): We Believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God…
“We believe in one God…maker of heaven and earth, of all that is visible and invisible:” the second theological statement of faith of the Nicene Creed. For many Christians, this point of doctrine is somewhat ho-hum. It’s just such a given in Christian circles, that God created all that exists, that many glaze right over … Continue reading (Nicene Creed): Maker of Heaven and Earth, of All Things Visible and Invisible
“I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” These ancient words from the Nicene Creed might sound formal, but they speak to a very personal trust – the kind of trust that we can have in God as our Father. They describe the foundation of our faith, the solid ground we can … Continue reading (Nicene Creed): We Believe in one God the Father, the Almighty…
How does a speaker persuade us to listen? Usually by promising us something new. But imagine a speaker who starts by saying “You already know this.” That’s how the Second Epistle of Peter begins. The apostle Peter tells his readers, “I shall keep reminding you of all this, although you know it and are well-grounded … Continue reading The Prayer Book and the Christian Year
The heart of the Book of Common Prayer is the daily offices—Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. These services nourish your soul, but not with intense bursts of devotion or with a dizzying complex of options that let you customize your devotional experience. They offer something else: simplicity, structure, Scripture. Over the last five hundred years, Morning and … Continue reading The Ascent of Morning and Evening Prayer
Today begins the addition of the O Antiphons to the liturgy of Advent. The O Antiphons, also known as the Great Advent Antiphons, are canticles (songs) used in traditional Christian worship during the last days of Advent, from December 16-23, leading up to the high feast day of Christmas. These antiphons are the basis for … Continue reading O Antiphons: Canticles of Advent
What comes to mind when you hear the word discipleship? If you’ve been a Christian for any significant length of time, you are probably thinking about a small group or class at your church. This would likely include some form of Bible study or curriculum. Most likely the group or class will revolve around some … Continue reading Why Anglicanism? (Part Three)
In my previous article, I discussed the historical draw of the Anglican tradition. As a tradition that stands firmly in both the Catholic and Protestant traditions, Anglicanism provides a middle way between the two. If you have had any exposure to both of these Christian traditions, you’d know that there a few doctrinal differences between … Continue reading Why Anglicanism? (Part Two)
In our recent RFTG Ministry Update I shared that my family has made the decision to join the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), which is part of the global Anglican tradition. This may prompt questions from some who may wonder why I would leave the Baptist tradition considering it was the tradition in which … Continue reading Why Anglicanism? (Part One)
Consider these statistics: 42% of pastors considered quitting in the last year. 50% of pastors do not make it past five years in ministry. 80% do not last ten years. We are seeing an epidemic of pastoral burnout in our day. Why? In their new book The Unhurried Pastor (The Good Book Company, 2024), Brian … Continue reading Redefining What it Means to Be Productive in Ministry
