Tag Archives: synergism

Rowboating with God: The Mystery of Synergism

Posted on 11 October 2020 by

Several years ago I telephoned a well-known Orthodox theologian and asked him to elabo­rate on the doctrine of synergism. He pointed me to the words of the  Apocalypse of John: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophical Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Unpreachability of Predestination

Posted on 1 October 2019 by

When was the last time you heard a sermon preached on election and predestination? In thirty-plus years of priestly ministry I think I may have preached on it once. Christian pastors simply do not preach on it; and it doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Preaching, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Luther, Catholicism, and Justification by Faith

Posted on 21 August 2019 by

In his book The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism, the great Catholic scholar Louis Bouyer, himself a convert from Lutheranism, describes Martin Luther’s understanding of justifying faith: Salvation is a grace, a gift of God, not the work of man. … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace, Justification & Theosis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Finding the God Who is Love

Posted on 11 March 2019 by

The love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for human beings is absolute and uncondi­tional. This fundamental truth of the gospel bears repeating. It bears repeating because we Christians seem to forget it all too easily. We know the … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbert McCabe & Friends | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

God is the Doer: Providence and Human Freedom in Julian of Norwich

Posted on 6 November 2017 by

Meditation upon the passion and death of Christ leads Dame Julian into a deeper understanding of God’s creation of the world, which in turn prepares her for the third showing—the presence of God in all: And after this I saw … Continue reading →

Posted in Julian of Norwich | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

St John of Damascus on the Providence of God

Posted on 16 January 2017 by

“God is both Creator and Provider,” writes St John of Damascus, “and is power of creating, sustaining, and providing is his good will. For ‘whatsoever the Lord pleased he hath done, in heaven, and in earth’ [Ps 134:6], and none … Continue reading →

Posted in Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Jerry Walls: The Necessity of Purgatory

Posted on 22 August 2015 by

Purgatory—speak the word and Protestant Christians will quickly shake their heads with disapproval. Here is a doctrine that decisively undermines the good news of God’s gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. The Anglican Articles of Religion describe it as “repugnant … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Jerry Walls: Hell is a Hell of a Choice

Posted on 4 August 2015 by

“Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments