Podcasts about Nestorianism

Revelation 12:12–17 presents a profound theological portrait of the ongoing spiritual warfare between God's people and Satan, who, though defeated in his attempt to destroy the church through pagan Rome, responds with escalating strategies through new agents of deception and persecution. The passage reveals that Satan's wrath intensifies as he knows his time is short, prompting him to shift from violent persecution to heretical doctrine—symbolized by a flood from the serpent's mouth—aimed at corrupting the church's purity. Yet God preserves His people through divine protection, illustrated by the woman's flight toward the wilderness, which is not a literal place but is a symbolic state of obscurity, sustained by the Lord's providential care through Christian emperors and ecumenical councils that rejected heresies like Arianism, Nestorianism, and Pelagianism. Ultimately, the remnant of the woman's seed—the faithful believers who uphold God's commandments and the testimony of Jesus—face a final, prolonged assault through the beast and false prophet, signaling the culmination of Satan's opposition before his ultimate defeat. The sermon underscores the necessity of constant vigilance, spiritual readiness, and reliance on Christ's victory, reminding believers that while Satan is defeated at the cross, he remains a relentless adversary until the final consummation.

ABOUT THE EPISODEJoin David Schrock and Stephen Wellum as they interview Dr. Donald Fairbairn on his COA Longform Essay, "Eastern Orthodoxy: How Did It Emerge In History".SponsorThis month's sponsor is Grimke Seminary. Pastors are called to care for the church of God that God called them to. So why do seminaries require men to leave their church to pursue theological studies? At Grimké Seminary, you can get Christ-centered, theological training in the Reformed, Protestant tradition, without leaving your local church. They offer a range of pastoral studies for students of all backgrounds to serve your growth in ministry, from a Bachelor's to a Doctor of Ministry.To apply, go to grimkeseminary.org and use the code “christoverall” to have your application fee waived.Timestamps1:00 – Intro04:44 – How Dr. Fairbairn Got Interested in Eastern Orthodoxy07:33 – Was Dr. Fairbairn Ever Interested in Joining the Orthodox Church?09:08 – The Conversations Dr. Fairbairn Has Had with the Orthodox?11:12 – Where Has There Been Familiarity in Studying Eastern Orthodoxy?13:33 – An Introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy Through Western Eyes16:34 – The Four Stages of History of the Eastern Church20:32 – How Do the Eastern Orthodox See Themselves Connected to Church History?27:00 – How Does Tradition Function in Eastern Orthodoxy?30:32 – What Happens in the Fifth and Sixth Centuries?33:23 – Chalcedon, Nestorianism, and The Effects of Islam36:26 – Persecution and Movement During the Modern Era37:47 – The Footprint of the East in the West39:22 – Sponsor: Grimke Seminary40:22 – The Persian Split and Oriental Orthodox42:42 – Cyril's Mea Fuscous44:33 – Recommendations for These Periods of Time47:27 – 1054 and the Division of the East and the West52:57 – How Did the Filioque Controversy Contribute to the Division?56:43 – Was There Unity with Protestants Against the Papacy?59:30 – ‘Orthodoxies' Rather than a Universal Orthodox Church1:05:22 – What Actually Unites the Different Orthodox Churches?1:08:17 – Augustine in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition1:10:13 – Three Major Trajectories in the Early Church1:13:11 – Intrepreting the Fathers Through Origen1:16:05 – Encouragements to Men Considering Eastern Orthodoxy1:20:48 – Closing Thoughts1:21:33 – OutroResources to Click“Eastern Orthodoxy: How Did It Emerge in History?” – Donald FairbairnTheme of the Month: Go West, Young Men: Evaluating the Drift toward Eastern OrthodoxyGive to Support the WorkBooks to ReadThe Global Church–The First Eight Centuries: From Pentecost through the Rise of Islam – Donald FairbairnThe Story of Creed and Confessions: Tracing the Development of the Christian Faith – Donald Fairbairn and Ryan ReevesEastern Orthodoxy through Western Eyes – Donald FairbairnThe Eastern Christian Churches: A Brief Survey – Ronald Roberson

The sermon centers on the unparalleled uniqueness of Christ, affirming His dual nature as both fully God and fully human, a truth grounded in Scripture and articulated in the Belgic Confession's Article 19. Drawing from Philippians 2, it emphasizes Christ's voluntary humility—though equal with God, He emptied Himself, taking on human form without diminishing His divine essence—while maintaining the inseparable union of two distinct natures in one person, known as the hypostatic union. The sermon defends this doctrine against historical heresies like Nestorianism, which fractured Christ's person, and underscores the necessity of preserving both the unity and distinction of His natures for the integrity of salvation, the reality of the cross, and the hope of resurrection. It highlights that Christ's divinity and humanity are not merged or diminished but coexist—His divine nature sustaining the universe while His human nature grew, learned, and suffered, making His sacrifice both truly divine and genuinely human. Ultimately, this truth shapes Christian worship, prayer, and hope, affirming that Christ, as both God and man, is our eternal mediator, exalted in heaven and interceding for us with a real human body and divine presence.

Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!If you say you knew we'd be traveling to Mongolia in our trip around the world this month, I will straight-out call you a liar. And yet here we are. We'll cover the so-called heretics who brought Jesus to this distant corner of the world and whether their efforts count at all; the greatest Mongolian of all time and whether he was really “great” at all; the part of Mongolia that scarred me for life, and how I'm better off for it; and the best way to convert confused cattle into victory points, both in games and in life.Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.  

Bishop Rowan Williams is the Former Archbishop of Canterbury. We discuss Christology, his book "Christ the Heart of Creation" and "Arius : Heresy and Tradition" and David Bentley Hart's book "The Light of Tabor : Towards a Monistic Christology".00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:20 - Christological Methodology00:04:30 - Kierkegaard and Perspectival Knowing00:08:25 - Protestantism and Tradition00:12:30 - Luther's Pizzaz 00:14:10 - Arius, Heresy, and Orthodoxy00:20:15 - The biography of the Word00:27:15 - Who was the Word before Jesus?00:33:45 - David Bentley Hart question00:44:45 - How is Jesus unique?00:53:20 - Miracles and the Incarnation01:00:30 - Concluding RemarksSam Tideman: Host of the Transfigured podcast and YouTube channel.Bishop Rowan Williams: Former Archbishop of Canterbury, theologian, and author of Christ the Heart of Creation and Arius: Heresy and Tradition.Primary Theologians and Philosophers DiscussedDavid Bentley Hart: Orthodox theologian and author of The Light of Tabor, with whom Williams engages in a friendly debate.Jordan Daniel Wood: Contemporary theologian and author of The Christological Cosmos.Arius: The 4th-century priest whose views on the nature of Christ led to the Council of Nicaea.Ludwig Wittgenstein: 20th-century philosopher known for his work on logic and the philosophy of language.Søren Kierkegaard: 19th-century Danish philosopher and father of existentialism.Rudolf Bultmann: (Transcribed as "Bulman") 20th-century German theologian and New Testament scholar.Martin Luther: Key figure in the Protestant Reformation.John Calvin: French theologian and major figure in the Protestant Reformation.Richard Hooker: Influential 16th-century Anglican theologian and author of Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie.St. Cyril of Alexandria: 5th-century Patriarch and key defender of Orthodoxy against Nestorianism.St. Athanasius of Alexandria: 4th-century defender of Nicene Orthodoxy against Arianism.Thomas Aquinas: Medieval scholastic theologian and philosopher.Sergei Bulgakov: Russian Orthodox theologian known for his "Sophiology."St. Augustine of Hippo: Highly influential Western Church Father.St. Irenaeus of Lyons: 2nd-century theologian and author of Against Heresies.Abbé Huvelin: 19th-century French spiritual director famous for his influence on Charles de Foucauld and Baron von Hügel.Other Figures MentionedRichard Dawkins: Famous evolutionary biologist and atheist author.Justin Brierley: Host of the Unbelievable? and The Big Conversation podcasts.St. Paul: Biblical Apostle.St. Peter: Biblical Apostle.Jonah: Biblical prophet (mentioned in the "Sign of Jonah").The Virgin Mary: Mother of Jesus.Jesus of Nazareth / Jesus Christ: The central figure of the discussion.

Pastors Adam Parker and Matthew Poole continue a two-part series on making images of Jesus. In this second episode, they approach the topic theologically and historically. Drawing on Deuteronomy 4 and the 754 AD Council of Hieria, they argue that any depiction of Christ forces the artist into one of two ancient heresies: Nestorianism or monophysitism. They also address The Chosen and why the Reformed opposition to images is not a Reformation novelty, but a recovery of the position held by the early church fathers.  This podcast is a ministry of Evergreen Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Beaverton, Oregon. For more information on Evergreen Presbyterian Church visit our website at evergreenpca.com. If you are in the Beaverton area, join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 9:30am.

Monday in the Octave of Easter Saint of the Day: Pope St. Celestine I; founder of the papal diplomatic service; elected pope in 422, and battled the heresies of Nestorianism and Pelagianism; Celestine is believed to have sent Palladius to evangelize Ireland in 431; Celestine died in 432 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/6/26 Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15

Send a textPeople keep using “hypostatic union” like it's a mic-drop term, then they turn around and define it with a quick Google snippet. We wanted to slow that down and actually do the work: define hypostasis, explain why the church reached for this word, and show how it brings clarity instead of confusion when you're talking about Jesus Christ and the Trinity.We start with the foundational distinction most of the arguments miss: essence versus personhood. Essence answers what God is. Hypostasis answers who God is. From there, we lay out classic Trinitarian theology in plain language: one divine essence and three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, co-equal and co-eternal, not a “piece” of God and not a lesser form of deity. That framework also helps make sense of prayer and worship language Christians use every day.Then we connect the dots to Christology. The hypostatic union is about Jesus being one person, the Son, with two natures: truly divine and truly human. We also name two errors that still pop up constantly in modern debates: modalism, which collapses the Trinity into one person, and Nestorianism, which effectively divides Christ into two persons. If you've ever struggled to explain “fully God and fully man” without tripping over your words, this one is for you. If it helps, share it with a friend and leave a review, and tell us what theology term you want us to unpack next.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send a textJesus is fully God and fully man, but what do we actually mean when we say that and what breaks when we get it wrong? We walk through the hypostatic union in plain language, define hypostasis as personhood, and show why the church rejected Nestorianism so fiercely. Along the way we respond to a modern claim that sounds harmless at first: “Jesus could have sinned in his humanity.” We explain why that idea quietly turns Christ into two acting subjects and why that is not the biblical Jesus. From there, we zoom out to the triune nature of God. We talk about why the New Testament often speaks of “God” in a way that highlights the Father while still confessing the full deity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. We also tackle a practical question that almost every Christian asks sooner or later: who do you pray to? Our answer is grounded in inseparable divine action and the unity of the Godhead, while still honoring the distinct personal works Scripture describes. We also address the Holy Spirit head-on, because many people treat the Spirit like an impersonal power. We point to personal attributes and actions: the Spirit can be lied to, blasphemed, teaches, and applies Christ's work to believers. Then we connect the dots to the cross and resurrection, clarifying “who died” and why Scripture can speak of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit raising Christ without contradiction. We close by tying these doctrines to salvation and assurance through John 6 and the promise that Christ loses none of those the Father gives him. If this strengthened your doctrine of God, subscribe, share this with a friend who loves theology, and leave a review with the question you still have after listening.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send a textIf you've ever heard someone say, “Jesus was human, so He could have sinned,” you already know how fast a conversation about the incarnation can go off the rails. We slow it down and get precise about the hypostatic union: Jesus Christ is one person, one hypostasis, with two natures, fully God and fully man. That single claim reshapes how we answer the blunt question, “Who went to the cross?” and why the answer is not “a human part” of Jesus, but Jesus Himself. We also walk through key crucifixion language that gets misunderstood, including “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” and John 19:30 where Jesus “gave up the ghost.” We talk about what that phrase is and is not, why it does not mean Jesus “gave up the Holy Spirit,” and how real death and real atonement depend on real humanity without turning the Trinity into a casualty of the cross. Along the way we name common theological errors like Nestorianism and modalism, not to score points, but to show exactly where they distort the Bible's own categories. Then we hit the question that sparks the most debate: will. What do we do with “Not my will, but Yours be done” in Luke 22:42? We explore how Christ's human submission is genuine while still refusing any conclusion that suggests the Son could will evil, disagree with the Father, or possibly sin. If you want clearer Christian theology, stronger confidence in salvation, and better language for explaining the Trinity and the incarnate Logos, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves deep doctrine, and leave a review. What word or verse causes the most confusion for you when talking about Jesus as God and man?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

A map of the diverse Eastern Churches still around today; the Orthodox and the unorthodox. Support us on Patreon for Member access to our special podcast series for in depth audio commentary on Holy Scripture.  Apply for Saint Paul's House of Formation Email us Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications  Word & Table Episode Index

Most people know about the big heresies of the early Church—Arianism, Nestorianism, Monophysitism. But have you ever heard of the Agnoetae? This strange and almost forgotten heresy claimed that Jesus didn't know everything in His earthly life. In this video, we'll explore who the Agnoetae were, what they believed, why the Church condemned them, and […]

Creeds, councils, and confessions are helpful, but unlike Scripture they are fallible and reformable in the light of scripture. The Bible alone is God-breathed, infallible in all matters of salvation, and centered on Christ.Through the councils, the Church defended the truth of God's against error: Nicaea upheld Christ's divinity against Arianism, Constantinople affirmed the Spirit's deity, Ephesus rejected Nestorianism, and Chalcedon declared Christ fully God and fully man. Other councils confronted heresies that distorted the faith, always pointing back to Christ.Sola Scriptura reminds us that God's Word is unique in nature and in authority. It is our final standard of truth.This teaching takes us on a journey of the creeds in church history, what they addressed and why they are important. be blessed as you listen to this teaching.

What happens when we reduce Jesus to merely a powerful deity rather than our sovereign Lord? While exploring Philippians 2:5-11, we dive into why this passage became the most quoted text among early church fathers as they defended essential Christian doctrine against dangerous heresies.This episode examines how the early church confronted four major heresies—Docetism, Arianism, Nestorianism, and Gnosticism—and why their modern versions continue threatening orthodox faith today. From moral relativism that subjectively redefines sin to syncretism that blends Christianity with other religious practices, these repackaged ancient errors undermine biblical truth in subtle but devastating ways.How do we guard against these influences? By distinguishing between "closed-hand" non-negotiable doctrines and "open-hand" matters where Christians can respectfully disagree. We must reject modernity's pressure to innovate doctrine, submit to wise spiritual leaders, remain comfortable with divine mystery, and pursue Christ with both love and reverent fear.My hope is that this podcast helps grow your faith and equips you to accomplish your dreams and goals!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookFollow me on TikTok

“Did the Early Church Have Deaconesses?” This episode explores the role of women in the early Church, including discussions on the Council of Constantinople and whether the Council of Jerusalem should be counted among the ecumenical councils. We also delve into Arianism’s connections to modern groups and the significance of the Council of Ephesus. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 18:30 – The Council of Constantinople 24:40 – Do we count the Council of Jerusalem among the first councils? 29:07 – Pope Leo announced reintroducing Deaconess based on Church History? Were there Deaconess in the Early Church? 31:59 – What the basic stuff to know about the Council of Nicea? 33:19 – Arianism sounds like Jehovah's Witnesses? 35:20 – Why did the council of Ephesus do? 40:10 – I feel like there is a popular opinion that the church was united up until 1054. But at the Council of Ephesus and Council of Calcedon there was a split by assyrian church of the East and oriental orthodox Church. Is this an argument that the church wasn't always Catholic? 45:00 – What is Nestorianism? 47:35 – Who are the heroes of the Council of Ephesus?

The Sunday for the Fourth Ecumenical Council Titus 3:8-15; Matthew 5:14-19 Note: the recording includes a few seconds when Fr. Anthony's mind went apophatic and he forgot a critical detail.  Real life is like that sometimes!   First Council: Nicea in 325 (vs. Arius) "And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made:  Who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man;  And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;  And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;  And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end." Second Council: Constantinople in 381 (defend the Holy Spirit). Finished our Creed; Holy Spirit, the Church, Baptism, Resurrection, Life in the age to come. Third Council: Ephesus 431 (vs. Nestorius – she gave birth to the man Christ; Christotokos). Jesus Christ was fully God and fully Man. Because Jesus was true God of true God, the Virgin Mary gave birth to God; thus she should be called Theotokos.  Fourth Council: Chalcedon in 451 (vs. Nestorianism and the Abbot Eutyches and the Alexandrian Patriarch Diasocurus (recent robber council) The Fathers accepted the message sent by Pope Leo, which Dioscorus had abstained from reading at his robber Council in Ephesus. In the message, The Pope distinguishes clearly between the two natures, emphasizing the presence of the two natures in one hypostasis. Among the most important conclusions of the Council was that Christ is “perfect God and perfect Man. A true God and a true Man. Equal to the Father in Godhead and equal to us in humanity, like us in everything except in sin. He was begotten from the Father as God pre-eternally and in the last days He was born of the virgin Mary the Mother of God (Theotokos), according to humanity. He is one. He is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord who must be confessed in two natures united without confusion nor change, without division nor separation. He was not divided into two persons but he has always been the Only Begotten God the Word and the Lord Jesus Christ”.  In this Chalcedonian definition, the Fathers of the Council re-emphasized the Creed. They also emphasized two other important things: ·      The unity of the person in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is indicated in the “he is one and the same”. The Lord Jesus Christ is One. He is the Word of God eternally born from the eternal Father before the ages, and born from Mary in humanity. ·      That the two natures in Christ sustain their properties amidst the unity of the person. The word became Flesh assuming all the Human Nature except “sinning”, without giving up or abandoning his Divine Nature. Application The Church Fathers chose a gospel to be read in relation to this Council. It is Christ's saying: “You are the light of the world”.  Not just the physical light, but the spiritual light. One of the things that the spiritual light is that we can be full of it ourselves; that we can carry God within us and He can become the light through which we see one another. Not the light of ego or self-confidence; this is a shortcut which will lead us into division (heresy); not the heresy of Nestorius or Eutechius, but the witness of a proud and divisive spirit that actually drives the self and others away from the true light – even while using pious words of Scripture and the Fathers.  This true light is helps us see one another. The Lord says after that: “let your light shine on people so that they can see your work and glorify your Father in the heavens”. This is done not by pious strutting or false humility; but by the way we see and connect with others in the light; by the way we avoid being contaminated by giving in to the dark tempations of the world; and by sharing the same kind of sacrificial light that the Source of Light did when He became perfect man. That is how we can live as a real family with God in heaven as our Father. We avoid sin; and we love one another. This way we can make God's Will come true. The gospel which we heard was chosen to describe the Holy Fathers (whose number is 630) of the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon. These Fathers were the light of the world in both their time and ours as well. We abide by their teachings which were handed down to us. By their teachings we are able to avoid the darkness of heresy. Let us be like them. Let them be our example and model, through Christ, who lives in them, that He might dwell in us too. See https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/page/1155/ for a more thorough treatment.

Full Text of ReadingsSolemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Lectionary: 172The Saint of the day is Saint Cyril of AlexandriaSaint Cyril of Alexandria's Story Saints are not born with halos around their heads. Cyril, recognized as a great teacher of the Church, began his career as archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt, with impulsive, often violent, actions. He pillaged and closed the churches of the Novatian heretics—who required those who denied the faith to be re-baptized—participated in the deposing of Saint John Chrysostom, and confiscated Jewish property, expelling the Jews from Alexandria in retaliation for their attacks on Christians. Cyril's importance for theology and Church history lies in his championing the cause of orthodoxy against the heresy of Nestorius, who taught that in Christ there were two persons, one human and one divine. The controversy centered around the two natures in Christ. Nestorius would not agree to the title “God-bearer” for Mary. He preferred “Christ-bearer,” saying there are two distinct persons in Christ—divine and human—joined only by a moral union. He said Mary was not the mother of God but only of the man Christ, whose humanity was only a temple of God. Nestorianism implied that the humanity of Christ was a mere disguise. Presiding as the pope's representative at the Council of Ephesus in 431, Cyril condemned Nestorianism and proclaimed Mary truly the “God-bearer”—the mother of the one Person who is truly God and truly human. In the confusion that followed, Cyril was deposed and imprisoned for three months, after which he was welcomed back to Alexandria. Besides needing to soften some of his opposition to those who had sided with Nestorius, Cyril had difficulties with some of his own allies, who thought he had gone too far, sacrificing not only language but orthodoxy. Until his death, his policy of moderation kept his extreme partisans under control. On his deathbed, despite pressure, he refused to condemn the teacher of Nestorius. Reflection Lives of the saints are valuable not only for the virtue they reveal but also for the less admirable qualities that also appear. Holiness is a gift of God to us as human beings. Life is a process. We respond to God's gift, but sometimes with a lot of zigzagging. If Cyril had been more patient and diplomatic, the Nestorian church might not have risen and maintained power so long. But even saints must grow out of immaturity, narrowness, and selfishness. It is because they—and we—do grow, that we are truly saints, persons who live the life of God. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

In today's class we discuss the heresy of Nestorianism, its connection to Pelagianism, the Marian title "Theotokos," and how the theological distinction between justification and sanctification remains important today.

Mr. AJ Ellis concludes his discussion on Christology. We look at Nestorianism, Docetism, and Ebionism. The Anglican Compass series, "We Believe: Reflections on the Nicene Creed" can be found here.

Thursday of the Third Week of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Desideratus; brother of Desiderius and Deodatus; as courtier in the court of King Clotaire, he fought heresy and simony; in 541, he became bishop of Bourges; he attended several councils that condemned Nestorianism and Eutychianism; Desideratus was reputed to have performed miracles and was known for his peace making abilities; he died in 550 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 5/8/25 Gospel: John 6:44-51

"Four Christological Heresies" - Nestorianism

Michael Lofton covers a very common Catholic apologetic argument and shows why it is no longer sufficient in debates with non-Catholics. He then covers why the Apostle Paul forbade anyone to judge another on fasting and yet the Church commands days of fasting. Lastly, Michael goes over a commenter who unknowingly promotes Nestorianism.

Colossians 3:1-4 assures us of the significance of Christ's dual nature and heavenly position. Lord's Day 18 contrasts two heretical views that contradict the two natures of Christ: Eutychianism and Nestorianism. Eutychianism blends the two natures in such a way that Christ is a hybrid human who is a man god or god man, but not God and man. The divine and human natures bleed into each other. Nestorianism teaches that the two natures are so radically divided that Christ is almost two persons. Neither of these positions understands the hypo (under) static (same/consistent) union of Christ. A very practical problem with these views is that our redemption is never accomplished because the creature that offended has not endured the Lord's wrath. The eternal punishment we deserve has not been poured out. Thus, we are still in our sins.Colossians 3:1-4 assures us that Christ's ascension to heaven marks his position as the glorified God-man, taking his seat at the right hand of the Father. He is ascended in glory as the glorified God-Man. His glorified human nature is bound to space and time while his divine nature is everywhere present or omnipresent.His presence in heaven is described as advantageous for believers, as he now serves as our ultimate authoritative advocate before God. Christ intercedes on their behalf, understanding our struggles and needs. He knows our weakness as our sinless priest who walked this age. He knows our struggles because he dwells in us by His Spirit. His heavenly ministry ensures our glorification as he guides, intercedes, and empowers as our savior.His supreme position refutes alternative spiritual philosophies that appear to threaten our Christian life. Christ's ascension testifies that he has overcome and we are guaranteed to overcome in him because He has triumphed. He is our heavenly advocate who continues to sustain us in this age.

Welcome to Class 3 of the "Foundations of Theology" I.Q. Church series taught by Luke and Jake! We're taking a break from our normally scheduled podcast series to bring you this teaching. In this session, we dive deep into two essential aspects of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and the gift of salvation He brings. We explore how Jesus, being both fully God and fully human, is central to understanding the gospel and our relationship with God. Additionally, we unpack the multi-faceted nature of salvation and its transformative power in the believer's life. Key topics covered in this video: The Incarnation: Jesus as fully divine and fully human, and why that matters for salvation. An exploration of Christological heresies like Docetism, Apollinarianism, Nestorianism, and Monophysitism, contrasted with the orthodox understanding of Christ. Salvation as God's gift: understanding atonement, faith, justification, adoption, and sanctification. The Gift of Salvation: Substitution and Sacrifice: Christ died in our place. Christus Victor: Christ is victorious over sin, death, and evil. Reunion and Recapitulation: Christ reunites us with God and restarts the creation project. Demonstration and Devotion: Christ shows us how to live and influences us toward devotion. We also explore key aspects of salvation: Faith: Belief and allegiance to Christ. Justification: Receiving the gift of grace by faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). Adoption: Being brought into God's family and confirmed as His children (Romans 8:22-25). Sanctification: Growing in holiness and being set apart for God's Kingdom (Hebrews 10:14). Movie Clips for Illustration: We use several movie clips to illustrate the Christological heresies and provide a visual understanding of key concepts before focusing on the correct biblical view of Jesus as one person with two natures.

In today's show Dr. Anders touches on issues as Sedevacantism, Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNR), Nestorianism, Jesus's self awareness and more.

In today's show Dr. Anders touches on issues as Sedevacantism, Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNR), Nestorianism, Jesus's self awareness and more.

Full Text of ReadingsThursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 374The Saint of the day is Saint Cyril of AlexandriaSaint Cyril of Alexandria's Story Saints are not born with halos around their heads. Cyril, recognized as a great teacher of the Church, began his career as archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt, with impulsive, often violent, actions. He pillaged and closed the churches of the Novatian heretics—who required those who denied the faith to be re-baptized—participated in the deposing of Saint John Chrysostom, and confiscated Jewish property, expelling the Jews from Alexandria in retaliation for their attacks on Christians. Cyril's importance for theology and Church history lies in his championing the cause of orthodoxy against the heresy of Nestorius, who taught that in Christ there were two persons, one human and one divine. The controversy centered around the two natures in Christ. Nestorius would not agree to the title “God-bearer” for Mary. He preferred “Christ-bearer,” saying there are two distinct persons in Christ—divine and human—joined only by a moral union. He said Mary was not the mother of God but only of the man Christ, whose humanity was only a temple of God. Nestorianism implied that the humanity of Christ was a mere disguise. Presiding as the pope's representative at the Council of Ephesus in 431, Cyril condemned Nestorianism and proclaimed Mary truly the “God-bearer”—the mother of the one Person who is truly God and truly human. In the confusion that followed, Cyril was deposed and imprisoned for three months, after which he was welcomed back to Alexandria. Besides needing to soften some of his opposition to those who had sided with Nestorius, Cyril had difficulties with some of his own allies, who thought he had gone too far, sacrificing not only language but orthodoxy. Until his death, his policy of moderation kept his extreme partisans under control. On his deathbed, despite pressure, he refused to condemn the teacher of Nestorius. Reflection Lives of the saints are valuable not only for the virtue they reveal but also for the less admirable qualities that also appear. Holiness is a gift of God to us as human beings. Life is a process. We respond to God's gift, but sometimes with a lot of zigzagging. If Cyril had been more patient and diplomatic, the Nestorian church might not have risen and maintained power so long. But even saints must grow out of immaturity, narrowness, and selfishness. It is because they—and we—do grow, that we are truly saints, persons who live the life of God. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, 378-444; began his career as archbishop of Alexandria with impulsive--often violent--actions; but he championed the cause of orthodoxy against the heresy of Nestorius, who taught that in Christ there were two persons, one human and one divine; at the Council of Ephesus in 431, Cyril condemned Nestorianism and proclaimed Mary truly the “God-bearer”—the mother of the one Person who is truly God and truly human Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/27/24 Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

The pendulum swings again as Nestorius overreacts against Apollinarius, and emphasizes the distinction between the two natures in Christ, to the point of describing a radical separation of natures. It was as if Nestorius was saying that Christ is not one Person, but two - a divine Person and a human Person, united only as long as the human will submits to the divine will. This solution corrected Apollinarius' diminished human nature, but it divided the life and actions of Christ into two, even to the point of claiming that Mary was not the Mother of his divine nature. Links To listen to Mike Aquilina's episode 45 on John Cassian: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/045john-cassian-monk-on-move-solitary-in-city/ To listen to Mike Aquilina's episode 46 on Cyril of Alexandria: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/46cyril-alexandria-fifth-century-man-from-uncle/ To listen to Mike Aquilina's episode 2.4 on The Council of Ephesus: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/24-ephesus-mother-all-controversies/ To read John Casein's On the Incarnation of the Lord Against Nestorius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=2097&repos=8&subrepos=0&searchid=2405100 To read Cyril of Alexandria's On the Unity of Christ: https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/cyril_christ_is_one_01_text.htm For more on the christological controversies in context, see the book:  Reading the Church Fathers: A History of the Early Church and the Development of Doctrine: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/reading-the-church-fathers/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:  https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:  http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio To connect with Dr. James Papandrea, On YouTube - The Original Church:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Join the conversation in the Original Church Community on Locals:  https://theoriginalchurch.locals.com/ Dr. Papandrea's Homepage:  http://www.jimpapandrea.com Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/  

Delegates from throughout the ecumenical (universal or "catholic") church met in Chalcedon in 451 AD to address the emergence of certain heresies surrounding the person and nature of Christ. Some were teaching that Jesus merely took on the material aspects of a human body (Apollinarianism). Others so distinguished Jesus' humanity and divinity that they conceived of each as involving a distinct person (Nestorianism). Finally, some so emphasized Christ's unity that they spoke of his divinity blending with his humanity to form a new mixed nature (Eutychianism or Monophysitism). The Council of Chalcedon thus responded to these errors, producing a confession of orthodoxy known as The Chalcedonian Definition (or the Symbol of Chalcedon). It affirmed that the incarnate Christ is one person with both a human and divine nature. But why does this statement matter, and are its distinctions all that important? What, if anything, can we learn from it today? Dr. Stephen Wellum joins Kirk in this episode to discuss the meaning and significance of this important historical document.

As the debates around Jesus continued, the political climate in Rome became more complicated when it fell to the Goths in 410. For the first time in 800 years, the “eternal city” was sacked. In response, the church had to bring order and the fractures between Rome and Constantinople began to grow. The first major sign of division happened about 100 years after Constantine embraced the faith (Council of Ephesus, 431). This council would debate the role of Mary and the humanity of Christ but would lose its credibility under the shadow of political intrigues.

And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?Venit autem Jesus in partes Caesareae Philippi : et interrogabat discipulos suos, dicens : Quem dicunt homines esse Filium hominis?  14 But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.At illi dixerunt : Alii Joannem Baptistam, alii autem Eliam, alii vero Jeremiam, aut unum ex prophetis.  15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?Dicit illis Jesus : Vos autem, quem me esse dicitis?  16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.Respondens Simon Petrus dixit : Tu es Christus, Filius Dei vivi.  17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.Respondens autem Jesus, dixit ei : Beatus es Simon Bar Jona : quia caro et sanguis non revelavit tibi, sed Pater meus, qui in caelis est.  18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Et ego dico tibi, quia tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam, et portae inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam.  19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.Et tibi dabo claves regni caelorum. Et quodcumque ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum et in caelis : et quodcumque solveris super terram, erit solutum et in caelis. St Leo the Great saved Rome from the invasion of Attila. He defended the rights of the Holy See, condemned Nestorianism at the Council of Ephesus, and the Monophysites at the Council of Chaledon. He died A.D. 461.

Saturday in the Octave of Easter Saint of the Day: Pope St. Celestine I; elected pope in 422; founder of the papal diplomatic service; battled heresies of Novationism, Nestorianism, and Pelagianism; believed to have sent Palladius to evangelize Ireland in 431; died in 432 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/6/24 Gospel: Mark 16:9-15

Michael Lofton examines Mar Mari’s rebuke of Pope Francis for allegedly blessing same-sex unions. Michael also examines some comments made about transgender baptisms and then addresses Mar Mari’s position on Nestorianism.

Response to this comment from Grant Guikema-----grantguikema9821-5 days ago-PSA is so twisted. Ransoms are paid to kidnappers, to villains. So if you're saying he paid divine justice, then you are saying that God is the villain. Sin is not Gods problem, it's mine. The ransom was paid to death and the devil, but that's not the end of the story. Christ rose from the dead, defeating death and his enemies. Sacrifice is not a payment but a gift of hospitality and reconciliation. Nowhere in the OT is killing and death part of the sacrifice. Blood is used for cleansing. Food is offered as a gift. The killing is done outside the temple and never part of the sacrifice. Also He marked His passion and resurrection with Passover. Not yom kippor. Also the scapegoat is not killed So what about God's wrath-- Well Justice is simply making things right. The idea is putting things in proper order. To the wicked, that is painful. To those that reject God their damnation is their own. Hope that helps. PSA necessitates either Arianism or Nestorianism because for the Father to Punish the Son demands you split the Trinity or split Christ. Both are terrible Heresy.

Rev. Roy Askins, managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about some of the heresies explained in the August 2023 LW “Heresies: Ancient and Modern,” including Gnosticism, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, and Prosperity Gospel. Pick up a copy to read more about these heresies and also Arianism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism, Pelagianism, and Double Predestination. Find it at witness.lcms.org/2023/lutheran-witness-august-2023. Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness. The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.

Rev. Roy Askins, managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about some of the heresies explained in the August 2023 LW “Heresies: Ancient and Modern,” including Gnosticism, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, and Prosperity Gospel. Pick up a copy to read more about these heresies and also Arianism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism, Pelagianism, and Double Predestination. Find it at witness.lcms.org/2023/lutheran-witness-august-2023. Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

Join us for our first in-person episode in many months! In this episode, we look at the philosophical ideas of the Church Fathers, the natures of Jesus Christ, the relationship of the Holy Trinity, and the authority of the Church. Focusing on figures like Origen, Cyril of Alexandria, Ambrose, and especially Augustine, we look at the early Church's answers to the false teachings of Arianism, Docetism, Nestorianism, Monarchianism, and more! We also manage to revive the age-old debate of whether or not God exists within time, this time focusing on if God is changeable in His perfection!Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/UlmtdOpinions

The Matt Slick Live daily radio show broadcast is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry -CARM-. During the show, Matt answers questions on the air, and offers insight on topics like The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues-- The show airs live on the Truth Network, Monday through Friday, 6-7 PM, EST -3-4 PM, PST--You can also email questions to Matt using- info-carm.org, Please put -Radio Show Question- in the Subject line--You can also watch a live stream during the live show on RUMBLE---Time stamps are approximate due to commercials being removed for PODCAST.--Topics include---04- Amillennialism, Revelation- 20- 1-3.-16- Assembly Of God Church, The AOG.-18- Is there a literal 1000 year Millennial reign.-24- Nazarene Church issues.-27- The Assyrian Church of the East, Nestorianism, Hypostatic Union.-35- Phylogeny.

The Matt Slick Live daily radio show broadcast is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM). During the show, Matt answers questions on the air, and offers insight on topics like The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues!  The show airs live on the Truth Network, Monday through Friday, 6-7 PM, EST (3-4 PM, PST) You can also email questions to Matt using: info@carm.org, Please put "Radio Show Question" in the Subject line! You can also watch a live stream during the live show on RUMBLE! MSL: August, 3 2023 Time stamps are approximate due to commercials being removed for PODCAST. Topics include: 04- Amillennialism, Revelation: 20: 1-3. 16- Assembly Of God Church, The AOG. 18- Is there a literal 1000 year Millennial reign. 24- Nazarene Church issues. 27- The Assyrian Church of the East, Nestorianism, Hypostatic Union. 35- Phylogeny. MSL: August, 3 2023 CARM   This show LIVE STREAMS on RUMBLE during the Radio Broadcast! Subscribe to the CARM YouTube Channel Subscribe to the Matt Slick YouTube Channel CARM on Facebook Visit the CARM Website Donate to CARM You can find our past podcast by clicking here!

The Matt Slick Live daily radio show broadcast is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM). During the show, Matt answers questions on the air, and offers insight on topics like The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues!  The show airs live on the Truth Network, Monday through Friday, 6-7 PM, EST (3-4 PM, PST) You can also email questions to Matt using: info@carm.org, Please put "Radio Show Question" in the Subject line! You can also watch a live stream during the live show on RUMBLE! MSL: August, 3 2023 Time stamps are approximate due to commercials being removed for PODCAST. Topics include: 04- Amillennialism, Revelation: 20: 1-3. 16- Assembly Of God Church, The AOG. 18- Is there a literal 1000 year Millennial reign. 24- Nazarene Church issues. 27- The Assyrian Church of the East, Nestorianism, Hypostatic Union. 35- Phylogeny. MSL: August, 3 2023 CARM   This show LIVE STREAMS on RUMBLE during the Radio Broadcast! Subscribe to the CARM YouTube Channel Subscribe to the Matt Slick YouTube Channel CARM on Facebook Visit the CARM Website Donate to CARM You can find our past podcast by clicking here!

About The Guest(s): Dr. Tom Nettles is a retired professor of historical theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has taught at several seminaries and has written extensively on church history and theology. Summary: Dr. Tom Nettles discusses the Pelagian Controversy and its significance in church history. He explains the theological issues surrounding the nature of sin, human nature, and the role of grace in salvation. Augustine's response to Pelagius and his development of the doctrines of grace are highlighted. The conversation also touches on the influence of Pelagianism in modern theology and the importance of understanding the nature of sin and the need for divine grace. Key Takeaways:Augustine's theological work focused on the nature of sin, human nature, and the role of grace in salvation.Pelagius believed in the perfectibility of human nature and the ability to achieve righteousness through personal effort.Augustine emphasized the fallen nature of humanity and the necessity of divine grace for salvation.The Pelagian Controversy led Augustine to develop a more scriptural and exegetical approach to theology.The influence of Pelagianism can still be seen in modern theology, particularly in the emphasis on human freedom and the rejection of the doctrines of grace.Quotes:"Augustine stands within the history of theology, dealing with the issue of human sin, the nature of saving grace, and how human nature became polluted by sin." - Dr. Tom Nettles"Pelagianism was rejected in 431 at the same council where Nestorianism was rejected, as they were seen as twin errors." - Dr. Tom Nettles"Augustine's engagement with Pelagius is a tremendously important theological step that influenced the Reformation and the development of Protestant theology." - Dr. Tom Nettles

Dr. David Maxwell of Concordia Seminary-St. Louis The post 2074. The Heresies of Nestorianism and Eutychianism – Dr. David Maxwell, 7/26/23 first appeared on Issues, Etc..

This is part 21 of the Early Church History class. In the fifth century Christians waged a theological civil war that ended in a massive church split. The issue was over the dual natures of Christ. How was he both divine and human? Did he have a human soul and a divine soul? Did his two natures fuse into one new nature? Although such abstruse distinctions would hardly get anyone's blood boiling today, these doctrinal distinctives resulted in a zero sum war for supremacy involving not only theological argumentation, but also political conniving and outright gangster tactics in the battles that led to the famous Council of Chalcedon in 451. Though church history textbooks often whitewash this period of theological creativity, this episode will give you a brief but unapologetic overview of the major players and their deeds in the dual natures controversy. Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKQafdCPXAk&list=PLN9jFDsS3QV2lk3B0I7Pa77hfwKJm1SRI&index=21&pp=iAQB —— Links —— More Restitutio resources on Christian history See other classes here Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Sean Finnegan on Twitter @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play them out on the air Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here —— Notes —— Options for Two Natures Athanasius (c. 357) affirmed Jesus as God and man but did not explain how the natures united. He called Mary Theotokos (God-bearer). Apollinarius of Laodicea (d. 382) said the Word became flesh without assuming a human mind (Apollinarianism). Gregory of Nazianzus (d. 390) condemned Apollinarius and said that what God has not assumed, he has not healed. Eutyches of Constantinople (380-456) said the divine and human natures combined to form one new nature (Eutychianism/Monophysitism) Nestorius (c. 429) denied Mary as Theotokos, calling her instead Christotokos, and allegedly taught that Christ had two distinct natures in two persons (Nestorianism/dyophysitism). Leo I said Christ had two natures united in person, though the two natures remained distinct (Chalcedonian dyophysitism). Condemning John Chrysostom John Chrysostom represented the Antiochene school of thought (as opposed to the Alexandrian). 397 Chrysostom became bishop of Constantinople. Eudoxia, wife of the emperor Arcadius, worked with Theophilus of Alexandria to depose Chrysostom. 403 Synod of the Oak deposed Chrysostom. 404 Chrysostom exiled. 407 Chrysostom marched to death Condemning Nestorius 428 Nestorius became bishop of Constantinople. He immediately began persecuting “heretics” as a defender of orthodoxy. 429 Anastasius of Antioch preached in Constantinople that no one should call Mary Pulcheria, sister of emperor Theodosius II, worked with Cyril of Alexandria to depose Nestorius. 431 1st Council of Ephesus deposed Nestorius. Condemning Flavian 446 Flavian became bishop of Constantinople. 448 Held a synod that interrogated and condemned Eutyches 449 2nd Council of Ephesus reinstated Eutyches and condemned Flavian. Dioscorus of Alexandria instigated violence against Flavian that resulted in his death. Known to history as the “Robber Synod” Chalcedon 450 Theodosius II fell from his horse and died, leaving Pulcheria, his sister the nun, to marry Marcian, the new emperor. 451 Marcian and Pulcheria called the council at Chalcedon to reverse the 2nd Council of Ephesus and depose Dioscorus. Pope Leo's tome was read and accepted. After much debate, they codified the definition of Chalcedon, declaring Mary as Theotokos and Christ as having two natures in one person. When Nestorius read Leo's tome, he agreed with him and called it orthodox. Several important groups of churches, both Nestorian and Monophysite, rejected Chalcedon, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Armenia, Syria, and Persia. Review Deciding how the divine and human natures worked in Christ became the chief focus for many Christians in the fifth century. Apollinarius of Laodice proposed that the logos (Word) replaced the human mind, the rational part of the soul, in Christ (Apollinarianism). Eutyches proposed that Christ was one nature after the union of the divine and human (monophysitism). Pope Leo I said the two natures retained their distinctive characters in the one person of Christ (dyophysitism). Nestorius allegedly taught that the two natures in Christ were not united in one person (Nestorianism), though this was probably a misrepresentation of Cyril of Alexandria. Powerful Alexandrian bishops worked with powerful empresses to outmaneuver and depose Constantinopolitan bishops John Chrysostom in 404 and Nestorius in 431. Nestorius tried to steer people away from calling Mary Theotokos (God-bearer) by calling her Christotokos (Christ-bearer), but this offended many. Alexandrian bishops from Theophilus to Cyril to Dioscorus increasingly used gangster tactics to intimidate, coerce, beat, and even kill their theological-political opponents. The Chalcedonian definition of 451 condemned Nestorius and Eutyches while endorsing Cyril and Leo, promoting a diophysite statement of two natures in one person, united but not confused. Though trumpeted as "orthodox", Chalcedon alienated a huge portion of Christianity, including the Coptic Church, Ethiopian Church, Syrian Church, Armenian Church, and Assyrian Church.

Pastor Josiah and Ethan continue our podcast series on Christological heresies with an examination of Nestorianism, which asserts that Jesus is comprised of two distinct persons, as opposed to the Trinitarian view of God.Secret Link

Full Text of ReadingsTuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 372The Saint of the day is Saint Cyril of AlexandriaSaint Cyril of Alexandria's Story Saints are not born with halos around their heads. Cyril, recognized as a great teacher of the Church, began his career as archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt, with impulsive, often violent, actions. He pillaged and closed the churches of the Novatian heretics—who required those who denied the faith to be re-baptized—participated in the deposing of Saint John Chrysostom, and confiscated Jewish property, expelling the Jews from Alexandria in retaliation for their attacks on Christians. Cyril's importance for theology and Church history lies in his championing the cause of orthodoxy against the heresy of Nestorius, who taught that in Christ there were two persons, one human and one divine. The controversy centered around the two natures in Christ. Nestorius would not agree to the title “God-bearer” for Mary. He preferred “Christ-bearer,” saying there are two distinct persons in Christ—divine and human—joined only by a moral union. He said Mary was not the mother of God but only of the man Christ, whose humanity was only a temple of God. Nestorianism implied that the humanity of Christ was a mere disguise. Presiding as the pope's representative at the Council of Ephesus in 431, Cyril condemned Nestorianism and proclaimed Mary truly the “God-bearer”—the mother of the one Person who is truly God and truly human. In the confusion that followed, Cyril was deposed and imprisoned for three months, after which he was welcomed back to Alexandria. Besides needing to soften some of his opposition to those who had sided with Nestorius, Cyril had difficulties with some of his own allies, who thought he had gone too far, sacrificing not only language but orthodoxy. Until his death, his policy of moderation kept his extreme partisans under control. On his deathbed, despite pressure, he refused to condemn the teacher of Nestorius. Reflection Lives of the saints are valuable not only for the virtue they reveal but also for the less admirable qualities that also appear. Holiness is a gift of God to us as human beings. Life is a process. We respond to God's gift, but sometimes with a lot of zigzagging. If Cyril had been more patient and diplomatic, the Nestorian church might not have risen and maintained power so long. But even saints must grow out of immaturity, narrowness, and selfishness. It is because they—and we—do grow, that we are truly saints, persons who live the life of God. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Some Christians say we are "overdoing" the virgin birth. Are we? Are are they under-doing it? And why does it matter?

Bible Study: (2:10) RV 14:14-19 Father explains how this reading relates to the book of Daniel!  LK 21:5-11 Father explains the structure of the temple  Mt 25:1-13 What does oil signify?  Letters Does Luke 19 refer to Jesus? (19:56) A Hawaiian listener asks Fr. Simon about a Hawaiian folklore—is it angelic or demonic? (27:47)  Word of the Day: neo-Nestorianism (24:01)Callers (42:04) Daughters going to yoga. How can I tell them not to go? (44:21) When the angels were thrown out of heaven, were they sent to hell and are there angels in hell? (48:42) What is death according to the Bible? 

This evening we will have open forum Q n A for anyone who is interested via Twitter Spaces and Discord chat. Challenging arguments and objections are welcomed: Topics can include Trinity, Deity of Christ, biblical theology, Calvinism, philosophy, transcendental arguments, natural theology, Platonism, Pre-Sorcratics, epistemology, eschatology & preterism, etc.

Considering many things like the popularity of The Chosen, Christmas traditions, children's Sunday School curricula, and religious jewelry, it is obvious that many Christians believe it's good to depict Jesus. But has the church in recent years carefully considered the meaning and extent of the second commandment? Has the church considered its Christology carefully enough? Is the church remembering the ancient heresies of Nestorianism and Monophysitism? The church needs to revisit the second commandment and our doctrine of Christ. Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! Please leave a sincere 5 star rating if you would. Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away. Blog: smalltowntheologian.org. Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) If you believe Jesus Christ is true God and true and righteous man, what Biblical argument would you make to justify making images of Jesus? (2) Do images of Jesus help people rightly know God in ways that Scripture does not? (3) Considering the ancient heresy of Nestorianism separates the two natures of Jesus and makes them two persons, how might images of Jesus encourage Nestorianism in the mind and worship of Christians? (4) Are there any examples of artists making God/Jesus in their own image?