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As the Church continues its celebration of 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), we would do well to consider some of the less commented upon participants, including the most significant theologian to write in the Syriac language, St. Ephraim, who attended in comparable function to that of the more often cited St. Athanasius, as a Bishops personal assistant. 

Below is the full text of his 23rd Reflection on God entitled, Our Savior, Both God and Man. 

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Our Savior, both God and Man

We confess one and the same individual as perfect God and perfect Man. He is God the Word Which was [made] flesh.

For if He was not flesh, why was Mary chosen? And if He is not God, whom does Gabriel call Lord?

If He was not flesh, who was laid in a manger? And if He is not God, whom did the angels who came down from heaven glorify? If He was not flesh, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes? And if He is not God, in whose honor did the star appear?

If He was not flesh, whom did Simeon hold in his arms? And if He is not God, to whom did Simeon say: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace?

If He was not flesh, whom did Joseph take when he fled into Egypt? And if He is not God, who fulfilled the prophesy: Out of Egypt have I called my Son?

If He was not flesh, whom did John baptize? And if He is not God, to whom did the Father say: This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased?

If He was not flesh, who hungered in the desert? And if He is not God, unto whom did the angels come and minister?

If He was not flesh, who was invited to the marriage in Cana of Galilee? And if He is not God, who turned the water into wine?

If He was not flesh, who took the loaves in the desert? And if He is not God, who fed the five thousand men and their women and children with five loaves and two fish?

If He was not flesh, who slept in the ship? And if He is not God, who rebuked the waves and the sea?

If He was not flesh, with whom did Simon the Pharisee sit at meat? And if He is not God, who forgave the sins of the harlot?

If He was not flesh, who wore a man’s garment? And if He is not God, who healed the woman with an issue of blood when she touched His garment?

If He was not flesh, who spat on the ground and made clay? And if He is not God, who gave sight to the eyes of the blind man with that clay?

If He was not flesh, who wept at Lazarus’ grave? And if He is not God, who commanded him to come forth out of the grave four days after his death?

If He was not flesh, whom did the Jews arrest in the garden? And if He is not God, who cast them to the ground with the words: I am He?

If He was not flesh, who was judged before Pilate? And if He is not God, who frightened Pilate’s wife in a dream?

If He was not flesh, whose garments were stripped from Him and parted by the soldiers? And if He is not God, why was the sun darkened upon His crucifixion?

If He was not flesh, who was crucified on the Cross? And if He is not God, who shook the foundations of the earth?

If He was not flesh, whose hands and feet were nailed to the Cross? And if He is not God, how did it happen that the veil of the temple was rent in twain, the rocks were rent, and the graves were opened?

If He was not flesh, who hung on the Cross between the two thieves? And if He is not God, how could He say to the thief: Today thou shalt be with me in paradise?

If He was not flesh, who cried out and gave up the ghost? And if He is not God, whose cry caused many bodies of the saints which slept to arise?

If He was not flesh, whom did the women see laid in the grave? And if He is not God, about whom did the angel say to them: He has arisen, He is not here?

If He was not flesh, whom did Thomas touch when he put his hands into the prints of the nails? And if He is not God, who entered through the doors that were shut? If He was not flesh, who ate at the sea of Tiberias? And if He is not God, on whose orders were the nets filled with fishes?

If He was not flesh, whom did the apostles see carried up into heaven? And if He is not God, who ascended to the joyful cries of the angels, and to whom did the Father proclaim: sit at My right hand?

If He is not God and man then, indeed, our salvation is false, and false are the pronouncements of the prophets.

#globalgracesem
#Godislove
#Trinitarian
#theologymatters
Love is the very nature of the Godhead. As such, Love has no origin, no starting point, no ‘before’. There has never been a time the entirety of creation was not loved by God. Love is the means by which all things are held together…and is the One in whom all are sustained and consist.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:7–12, NRSVue)

#julianofnorwich
#Godislove
#Trinitarian
#globalgracesem
Good News needs no defense! 🙌

#TheGospelOfJesusChrist
#Godislove
#graceupongrace
Brethren, Church History is OUR History! 

——————————————————-

Exerpted from Our Church Speaks:

“The glory of God is a human being fully alive; and to be alive consists in beholding God.” - Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202), Bishop of Lyons and Teacher of the Faith 

Irenaeus is a critical link between the apostolic church and the Christian theologians of the second and third centuries. As a boy, he studied under Polycarp, the disciple of the Apostle John. He completed further study in Rome and was appointed to serve as the bishop of Lyons. Lyons had proven to be a dangerous region for Christians and many believers had already suffered martyrdom, including Saint Blandina and her companions and the predecessor in Irenaeus’ office. As bishop, Irenaeus thoroughly defended the Christian faith from Gnostic teachers who sought to undermine scripture’s teachings on the nature of Christ. He is considered the first great theologian of the church, after the age of the Apostles. His works quote from 24 of the 27 New Testament books, demonstrating that the canonical New Testament Scriptures were a vital part of the Christian imagination, from the earliest years of the church. Irenaeus gave his life for Christ at the beginning of the 3rd century, martyred probably during the persecution of Emperor Septimius Severus. 

#irenaeus #irenaeusoflyons
#churchfathers
#patristics
#ourchurchspeaks
#churchhistory
#artbybenlansing
#bookofcommonprayer
#saintquotes
#saint
We need COMMUNITY! 🙌

Not a week goes by without at least two or three people sharing with me some variation of the statement, this grace journey is great...but lonely. And honestly, I get it. Ive felt it too. Content is WONDERFUL, but its no substitute for real, genuine, heartfelt COMMUNITY. Having had the courage to step out of the confines of legalistic, performance-driven religion, the isolation that often accompanies that can feel disorienting.

BUT NOT ANYMORE!

GAN Plus is a new interactive membership community built around weekly LIVE events. It’s designed to create real connection, consistent spiritual growth, and a sense of belonging.

What do I get with membership?
● Multiple weekly live teachings & Q&A with trusted speakers
● Weekly live prayer gatherings
● Round table conversations on timely topics
● Special virtual events throughout the year
● Full replay access to past live events
● Member-only community space

GAN Plus isn’t just content. It’s connection. You’re not watching a stream or scrolling a feed — you’re showing up and participating in real time with others who are growing too. It’s built around people, not algorithms.

Unlike traditional social media with its endless ads, click-bait, and drama, GAN Plus is housed on a private network accessible only to members.

Whether as a supplement to the brick-and-mortar faith community you attend, or as a means of connection for those of us without an in-person option...

GAN Plus is a game-changer!

Membership opens June 24 with immediate access to the private community group. Live gatherings begin July 8.

I hope to see you there!
Dr. Matt

(LINK IN THE COMMENTS!)

#GANPlus
#community 
#grace
#church
#Godislove
The #Gospel is as inexhaustible as it is uncomplicated. #Healed people #heal others.
Not a week goes by without at least two or three people sharing with me some variation of the statement, this grace journey is great...but lonely. And honestly, I get it. Ive felt it too. Content is WONDERFUL, but its no substitute for real, genuine, heartfelt COMMUNITY. Having had the courage to step out of the confines of legalistic, performance-driven religion, the isolation that often accompanies that can feel disorienting.

BUT NOT ANYMORE!

GAN Plus is a new interactive membership community built around weekly LIVE events. It’s designed to create real connection, consistent spiritual growth, and a sense of belonging.

What do I get with membership?
● Multiple weekly live teachings & Q&A with trusted speakers
● Weekly live prayer gatherings
● Round table conversations on timely topics
● Special virtual events throughout the year
● Full replay access to past live events
● Member-only community space

GAN Plus isn’t just content. It’s connection. You’re not watching a stream or scrolling a feed — you’re showing up and participating in real time with others who are growing too. It’s built around people, not algorithms.

Unlike traditional social media with its endless ads, click-bait, and drama, GAN Plus is housed on a private network accessible only to members.

Whether as a supplement to the brick-and-mortar faith community you attend, or as a means of connection for those of us without an in-person option...

GAN Plus is a game-changer!

Membership opens June 24 with immediate access to the private community group. Live gatherings begin July 8.

I hope to see you there!
Dr. Matt

(LINK IN THE COMMENTS!)

#GANPlus
#community 
#grace
#church
#Godislove
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Wm. Paul Young

Professor of Grace Theology

We live in a world where ‘normal’ does not truly exist except as a concept or wishful thought. For each of us, where and how we grew up plays a foundational role in our sense of ‘normal’, and only when we begin to experience the ‘bigness and diversity’ of the world are we tempted to evaluate our roots.
I thought the way I grew up was ‘normal’ but most would probably agree that my history and journey have been a bit unusual. The eldest of four, born May 11th, 1955, in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, the majority of my first decade was lived with my missionary parents in the highlands of Netherlands New Guinea (West Papua), among the Dani, a technologically stone age tribal people. These became my family and as the first white child and outsider who ever spoke their language, I was granted unusual access into their culture and community. Although at times a fierce warring people, steeped in the worship of spirits and even occasionally practicing ritualistic cannibalism, they also provided a deep sense of identity that remains an indelible element of my character and person.

By the time I was flown away to boarding school at age 6, I was in most respects a white Dani. In the middle of a school year, my family unexpectedly returned to the West. My father worked as a Pastor for a number of small churches in Western Canada and by the time I graduated, I had already attended thirteen different schools. I paid my way through Bible College working as a radio disc jockey, lifeguard and even a stint in the oil fields of northern Alberta. I spent one summer in the Philippines and another touring with a drama troupe before working in Washington D.C. at Fellowship House, an international guesthouse. Completing my undergraduate degree in Religion, I graduated summa cum laude from Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon.
The following year, I met and married Kim Warren and for a time worked on staff at a large suburban church while attending seminary. I have owned businesses and worked for others in diverse industries, from insurance to construction, venture capital companies to telecom, contract work to food processing; whatever was needed to help feed and house our growing family. I have always been a writer, whether songs, poetry, short stories or newsletters; never for public consumption but for friends and family. While I have extensively written for business, creating web content, business plans, white papers etc., The Shack was a story written for my six children, with no thought or intention to publish. No one is more surprised that I am now considered an ‘author’. The truth is, I am a rather simple guy; I have one wife, six kids, two daughter-in-laws, a son-in-law and six grandkids, and incredible friends and extended family surround us. New friends, like you, are part of our expanding world and adventure.
These are some of the facts of my life, but they don’t begin to tell the real story. That would take much more room than is available here. The journey has been both incredible and unbearable, a desperate grasping after grace and wholeness. These facts don’t tell you about the pain of trying to adjust to different cultures, of life losses that were almost too staggering to bear, of walking down railroad tracks at night in the middle of winter screaming into the windstorm, of living with an underlying volume of shame so deep and loud that it constantly threatened any sense of sanity, of dreams not only destroyed but obliterated by personal failure, of hope so tenuous that only the trigger seemed to offer a solution. These few facts also do not speak to the potency of love and forgiveness, the arduous road of reconciliation, the surprises of grace and community, of transformational healing and the unexpected emergence of joy.
The data of history might help you understand where a person has been, but often hide who they actually are. The Shack and Cross Roads will tell you much more about me than a few facts ever could, but a writer is always more, intentionally illusive behind the curtain of words. For me as a human being, everything is about Jesus and Father and Holy Spirit, about relationships, and to live is to participate in an adventure of faith which can only be experienced inside one day’s worth of grace at a time. Aspirations of success, visions of significance and dreams of grandeur all died a long time ago and I have absolutely no interest in resurrecting them. I have finally figured out that I have nothing to lose by living a life of faith and trust. I know more joy every minute of every day than seems appropriate, but I love the wastefulness of my Papa’s grace and presence.