The Book of Revelation and Advent

Revelation’s Advent liturgy is a dialogue of lovers that sums up the tangled story of Yahweh and Israel. https://t.co/UMAJDksdpV

— First Things (@firstthingsmag) December 4, 2020

Maybe Not Everything Jacob Did Was Praiseworthy

Indeed, especially in his life before receiving the name of Israel, which was not given in exchange for him overcoming God, but as a gift?

And our Lord is confirming this?

There is something odd (almost, dare I say, ironic) about our Lord calling Nathanael "a true Israelite, without guile" (John 1:47), since of course the original Israel (Jacob), was a man of preeminent guile, who tricked his brother Esau and his father Isaac to get his blessing.

— Pater Edmund (@sancrucensis) August 24, 2020

The Disapora

Something I need to review.

CWR: Genesis, Covenant, and Salvation History by Peter M.J. Stravinskas

One of the unique aspects of the Genesis narratives is that the sacred author(s) have such a profound consciousness of divine election that they see the beginning of the Hebrew people as flowing very naturally [...]

The Historicity of the Old Testament

In particular, the book of Genesis.

Some have tried to nuance their interpretation of Genesis (in an attempt to reconcile it with "science," especially evolution) -- but if Christianity and Christian faith is grounded in a historical narrative, salvation history, i.e. what God has done for mankind, then how can one "mythologize" certain books without undermining Christian faith? Contrary to what some Roman Catholics think (perhaps subconsciously under the influence of some exaggerated form of scholasticism), Christianity is not a set of abstract theological propositions which do not need the background of a historical narrative; rather our knowledge of God is through His actions, especially those directed to mankind.

CWR: The Jesuit, the Monk, and the Malaise of the West by Dr. Samuel Gregg
The persistence of Joachimism over so many centuries suggests that, for all its vaunted secularism, the West remains profoundly religious in character.

The Old Testament is Our Story

Post by Orthodox Christian Network.