Tag Archives: john mcguckin

We Believe in One Lord Jesus Christ (ed. McGuckin)

Posted on November 22, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

John McGuckin gives us an outstanding, yea even world-class compendium of Patristic Christology. It nicely succeeds the first volume in the series.  McGuckin notes a set of “ciphers” that explain the theology behind the Nicene Creed: “‘Christ’ becomes a cipher … Continue reading →

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Hellenism as Dialectic

Posted on March 11, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Earlier models of theology did theology “by century,” or a list of pithy sayings on a topic.  I doubt I will get to a hundred, but it is a good guideline.  When I attack Hellenism, in this context I mean … Continue reading →

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Review: Prayer Book of Early Christians

Posted on February 28, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

The value in this text is its setting forth most of the key prayers of the early church.  McGuckin gives some commentary, such as noting that the lighting of candles symbolized the Spirit’s praying in and through us.  Most of … Continue reading →

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Review: McGuckin’s The Path of Christianity

Posted on February 17, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

John McGuckin’s project is unique in that he starts his account in the 2nd Century, not the 1st.  This allows him to explore the different “secessionist” offshoots from the main church. This meant for the Church that the office of … Continue reading →

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Bringing the nous into the heart

Posted on February 11, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

This is from John Mcguckin’s The Path of Christianity: The First Thousand Years, pp. 862-869.  It is very difficult for many people to approach the ancient fathers on prayer.  For some, it looks too much like Buddhism.  And for many activists … Continue reading →

Posted in Fathers, Harassing the Hobgoblins, theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

McGuckin on Natures

Posted on December 1, 2017 by J. B. Aitken

This ties in with my recent reflections on universals, natures, and metaphysics.  This is from John McGuckin’s fine work on St Cyril. I applaud Perry Robinson for doing the legwork in putting these quotes on his blog: Ousia: Essence, substance, … Continue reading →

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A Patristics Primer

Posted on June 10, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

I spent the past few days on Facebook debating soon-to-be-Socinians in the CBMW on why you shouldn’t tinker with the Trinity.  Some friends have asked me for a primer on basic Patristics texts.  This is more or less an impossible … Continue reading →

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Unleash the theopoets

Posted on September 27, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

Flow and Highlights I will capture the flow of Gregory’s life along with crucial highlights. McGuckin’s thesis suggests something along the lines that Gregory “midwifed” a new Christian vision into the old imperium. Gregory’s Post-Hellenic Vision Gregory opted for something … Continue reading →

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Midwifing a Byzantium

Posted on September 25, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

Harnack had it backwards.  Did the early church “Hellenize” and thus negate Gospel purity?  The question defies any easy answer.  We will look at a few. (1) Harnack held that the early church imported Greek concepts into the sweet biblical … Continue reading →

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