Orthodox Eschatology Series

Fr. John Brown presents a series of lectures on "The End Times: A comparison between the Orthodox understanding and Evangelical Protestant Teachings."

Anabaptists Go Crazy - The Dark History of Münster...

Wikipedia article 

Apostolic Succession: Common Objections Refuted w/ Perry Robinson

 

The Confession of Dositheus (1672)

The Synod of Jerusalem of 1672 soundly rejected any further attempts at reformulation of Orthodox teachings and strengthened Orthodox beliefs against both the Protestant Reformation and Catholicism. The Synod produced its own confession, The Confession of Dositheus (Patriarch of Jerusalem), in which point by point it refuted Cyril's' eighteen points.

Orthodox Apologist Responds to Tony Costa's Critique of Eastern Orthodox Theology

Orthodox Apologist Perry Robinson has a five hour response to Reformed Baptist Tony Costa's critique of Eastern Orthodox Theology. (Perry on Ancient Faith Today podcast with Kevin Allen).

Currently Reading

The Lord of Spirits: An Orthodox Christian Framework for the Unseen World and Spiritual Warfare (Ancient Faith store link).

 

Perpetual Virginity of Mary

I've had a change in my view of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary. I now believe it is more than an optional doctrine, but a necessary one to guard the virginal conception of Jesus. 

PV of the BVM

For those with access to theological libraries, or who can get the document through the Theological Research Exchange Network, the thesis that I found was by William Essey and is dated March 1973. The title is “Mariology in the Fathers: Apostolic Era through Byzantine Synthesis”. In the paper the author notes the influence of the Protoevangelium of James on the theology of St Clement of Alexandria (ca. 215) who then influenced Origen (c. 253). Here’s the relevant quote from the thesis:

Although not playing so great a role in the Mariology of the first three centuries, the “Protoevangelium of James” was known by some Fathers and planted the seeds which would bear fruit in a few generations. (p 10)

 He then proceeds to list the things that are found in “the apocryphal text” including “references to her [Mary's] ever-virginity”. Thus, my central thesis, that the source of the dogma of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary rests upon the Protoevangelium of James finds support in the scholarly writings of St. Vlad’s Seminary. In fact, I did a search of the thesis on file at the library and could find none that support a contrary position. However, there may be some that are not on file at the theological library.