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Sword of Pain/Bereavement/Doubt in Mary's Heart?
John of Damascus, An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book IV, Chapter 14 But this blessed woman, who was deemed worthy of gifts that are supernatural, suffered those pains, which she escaped at the birth, in the hour of the passion, enduring from motherly sympathy the rending of the bowels, and when she beheld Him,…
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Augustine on Psalm 132:8 (Vulgate Psalm 131:8)
From Augustine’s Expositions on the Psalms at Psalm 132:8 8. Arise, O Lord, into Your resting place [Psalm 131:8]. He says unto the Lord sleeping, Arise. You know already who slept, and who rose again….You, and the ark of Your sanctification: that is, Arise, that the ark of Your sanctification, which You have sanctified, may…
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There's Something about … Luigi Gambero
Luigi Gambero is one of the leading Mariologists of our time. His book, “Mary and the Fathers of the Church,” (Ignatius Press, 1999 based on the Italian original of 1991) is one of the more exhaustive treatments of the subject that one can find from a Roman Catholic perspective. Sorry to my younger readers for…
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Kenneth M. Wilson's "Augustine's Conversion from Traditional Free Choice to 'Non-Free Free Will'" – Calvinism Discussion
Since one vocal contra-Calvinist has been relying on Dr. Wilson’s materials to bash Calvinism, it makes sense to discuss every single place that Dr. Wilson mentions John Calvin in his book. Based on a text search for “Calvin” within the book, there is exactly one hit: Kolakowski argues that the Church’s repeated anathemas on the…
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Augustine's Letter 36 and Transubstantiation
Another passage where Augustine describes the Lord’s Supper can be found in one of his many letters. Augustine writes: But, he who says that the old things have passed away, so that in Christ altar yields to altar, fire to prayers, animal victims to bread, blood to the chalice, does not know that the word…
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Augustine's Sermon 227 and Transubstantiation
As with Sermon 272 (which we have already discussed), some folks who allege that Augustine shared modern Rome’s view of the Eucharist like to point to Sermon 227. It is easy to confuse the two sermons, since the numbers are so similar. Additionally, both sermons are short. Given the brevity of this sermon, it will…
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Augustine's Sermon 272 and Transubstantiation
Some folks who allege that Augustine shared modern Rome’s view of the Eucharist like to point to Sermon 272. Since this sermon is quite short, it will be possible for me to go through the sermon from beginning to end, with my comments interspersed. SERMON 272 ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST TO THE INFANTES, ON…
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Did Augustine Call Mary the "Mother of God"?
A dear reader notified me that a Roman apologist (or perhaps just a friend in the Roman church) had provided the following to them as allegedly representing Augustine’s views: “Mary was that only one who merited to be called the Mother and Spouse of God”. (Sermon 208) You’ll notice that the person has provided a…
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Augustine – Christ's Words in John 6 are Figurative
The following are some quotations from Augustine on the question of whether Christ’s words in John 6 are figurative. I’ve numbered the quotations for ease of reference, if anyone wishes to remark on them in the comment box. Augustine’s writings are quite extensive, so I don’t promise that this is a complete list of all…
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Church Fathers on Jesus' Status as "Without Mother"
Ambrose (A.D. 337 – 397) writes: “He it is Who is without mother according to His Godhead …” (On the Mysteries, Chapter 8, Section 4 Theodoret (A.D. 393 – 457) writes: “On account of this difference of term He is said by the divine Paul to be “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither…