This is but a sampling of the amazing universe that God has created. Take a tour here and then ask yourself the question I am asking: What makes me think that any merit of my own would impress the God that created this?
And yet I am hidden in the Christ of whom it is spoken, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…”
This one is two parts in which we will consider the teaching of Nestorius. Is it heresy, error, or truth? And why do you hold such.
Part One: The Mother of God Syllogism
Jesus Christ is God;
Mary gave birth to Jesus;
Therefore Mary is the Mother of God.
Is that true? Nestorius thought it was an incorrect statement. He argued that it would be better to call Mary the bearer of Christ or bearer of humanity. To call Mary “the bearer of God” caused problems for Nestorius. He felt that it failed to take into account the fullness of Christ’s humanity. Therefore, he argued…
Part Two: Nestorius’ position
Christ is indivisible in that he is Christ, but he is twofold in that he is both God and a human being. He is one in his sonship, but is twofold in that which takes and that which is taken…For we do not acknowledge two Christs or two sons or “only-begottens” or Lords; not one son and another son, not a first “only-begotten” and a new “only-begotten,” not a first and second Christ, but one and the same.
If I am able, please allow me to simply summarize Nestorius’ teaching (or at least what he was charged with teaching). It is believed that Nestorius taught that in Jesus there were “two natures and two persons. The human nature was born of Mary, the divine was not. Nestorius believed that in the person of Jesus he has a divine person/nature and a human person/nature.
Some folks thought that Nestorius was denying the divinity of Jesus Christ. Nestorius felt his opponents were denying his humanity. What do you think?
References: Historical Theology by Alistar McGrath and The Story of Christianity by Juston Gonzalez.
Considering that my Insane NCAA Predictions went so well, I thought I would offer my 2010 MLB Predictions:
AL East:
AL Central:
AL West:
NL East:
NL Central:
NL West:
ALCS: New York Yankees defeat Minnesota Twins
NLCS: Atlanta Braves defeat Philadelphia Phillies
World Series: New York Yankees defeat Atlanta Braves
Man, I hope I’m wrong!
Because there are several readers that are new to this blog I thought it a good idea to pull a few select posts out of the archives that you may have missed. This is an excellent quote by Alleine and Spurgeon that you do not want to miss. If you have never heard of Alleine it is worth picking up some of his writings in the Puritan Paperback Series: Try this one.
In the Preface to Joseph Alleine’s book “Alarm to the Unconverted”, he spills out his soul for the state of the beloved unbelievers he is writing to. He feels, as every minister should, the helplessness that he has to convert sinners yet the blood-earnest need for their conversion.
But from where shall I fetch my argument? With what shall I win them? O that I could tell! I would write to them in tears, I would weep out every argument, I would empty my veins for ink, I would petition them on my knees. O how thankful should I be if they would be prevailed with to repent and turn.
Do I have that type of passion for lost souls? It appears that Alleine is echoing the heart of Paul in Romans 9:1-3. Would I be willing to write in tears? To empty my veins for ink? Do I petition them on my knees? Do I even petition them at all?
Alleine knew that his only hope was in the power of God as he said, “But, O Lord, You can pierce the heart of the sinner. I can only draw the bow at a venture—but may You direct the arrow between the joints of the harness. Slay the sin, and save the soul of the sinner who casts his eyes on these pages.” I long to not only pray but to live like Joseph Alleine. I am reminded of the heart-wrenching plea of Charles Spurgeon:
“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”