Deus Misereatur

Modern Orthodox Thinkers: From the Philokalia to the Present Andrew Louth IVP Academic (InterVarsity Press) PO Box 1400 Downers Grove, IL 60515 ISBN: 978-0-8308-5121-8; $35.00; September 2015 Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Michael Philliber for Deus Misereatur Insightful; 5 Stars out of 5 For one who hardly knows the difference between an archimandrite and an apolytikion , or a hatjis and a heretismoi , it’s a bit of a stretch to pick up and stay with the 416 page paperback “Modern Orthodox Thinkers: From the Philokalia to the Present”. Yet Andrew Louth, who serves as a priest in the Russian Orthodox parish in Durham and is professor emeritus of patristic and Byzantine studies at Durham University, England, as well as a visiting professor of Eastern Orthodox theology at the Amsterdam Centre of Eastern Orthodox Theology in the Faculty of Theology, the Free University, Amsterdam, has made what at first appears insurmountable into something obtainable.  This scholarl...

[If you find this homily useful and would like to use it at your Christmas Eve Service, you have my permission. Mike] For Us and For Our Salvation Luke 2.1-20 (Here's the audio file ) One of the disheartening trends of our day is that everything – every action, every literary work, every religious expression, every relationship, etc. – Is being viewed as some kind of power struggle. Even in the Da Vinci Code , Dan Brown brings out this charge against Christianity: “It was all about power.” Maybe this will surprise you, but Brown’s right – It was all about power. And we Christians have believed this from the very beginning – God’s power poured out For Us and For Our Salvation! --- The Contrast : Caesar – Stepping up to rule from above. 2.1-3 – power to move whole people-groups. Augustus was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. Became the lone ruler of the Empire after a bloody civil war in which he defeated Mark Antony. He turned what was once a republic into an E...

Sunday morning: O Child who was born, Son who was given, Wonderful Counselor , who has done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure (Isaiah 25.1); may your hand be on those who need your wisdom: especially parents of young kids, teenagers, and adult children, that they may counsel with your wisdom and lead with your insight. We pray as well for your prudent discernment to be bestowed on those making tough decisions with regard to work, family issues, relationships, and future direction. / And we pray for those afflicted … may your wisdom settle and strengthen their hearts as they place themselves in your hands. O Wonderful Counselor , hear our prayer. You who are on the throne of David and over his kingdom, Mighty God ; We pray: “ O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free / thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, & give them victory o’er the grave .” Govern the nations of the earth to seek out and pursue what is fair and equitable for t...

Sunday morning: How good it is to thank the Lord, and praise to You, Most High, accord, to show Your love with morning light, and tell Your faithfulness each night; yea, good it is Your praise to sing, and all our sweetest music bring . Mighty God, knowing that you continue to preserve, provide for and govern us and our world, we pray that you would release the nations, including our own country, from war, deprivation, pestilence, catastrophe, violence, radicalism, prejudice, repression and privation; that all may know you alone are God Most High and rise up to give you thanks. Give ear to our prayer as we cry out to you for the salvation and restoration of all those who have never become Christians and for those who once made the good confession of faith but have since walked away…..we pray that this Season when so  many hear of your great love in sending your Son, that all of the melodies, memories, moments with family, and recitals of your Son’s coming will work...

Ruth: The King Is Coming by Daniel I. Block My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Biblical book known as "Ruth" is one of my favorites to read and preach through. Therefore I was delighted to see that Daniel I Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College, has crafted a unique commentary on Ruth titled "Ruth: The King is Coming". It is part of the "Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament," a series that Block is general editor for. This 304 page hardback is meant for seminary professors, preachers, and knowledgeable Bible teachers. The Hebrew and Hebrew grammar is presented in such a way that a mild knowledge of Biblical Hebrew will make the commentary even more valuable. Block looks at the authorial style of "Ruth" in which the initial recipients of the story are "hearers" not essentially "readers. The author of this commentary approaches his work through discourse analysis, which is not only to unde...

Infinitas by David N. Sebastian My rating: 5 of 5 stars If you're looking for a simple story line, lots of adventure, unexpected twists, dragons, wood gnomes, gypsies, rangers, wood sprites, skeleton armies, wraiths, loads of scary creatures, and a sort-of happily-ever-after ending, then this is the book for you. David Sebastian (a authorial pseudonym) has crafted a blending of story-themes in his recently published 288 page paperback, "Infinitas". This is the first installment in what plans to be a series written primarily for pre-teens and young teens. "Infinitas" follows the adventures of four teens, Drake, Kali, Harold and Ferra, from their home villa, Kordos, to a climactic conclusion as they face the Dragon Queen at the fortress castle of Infinitas. Drake and Kali are pursuing their destiny, a one hundred year old prophecy that one from the bloodline of Auturo would destroy the Dragon Queen. Both Kali and Drake are of that bloodline. Auturo had wounded ...

Sunday morning: Father, we thank you for the night, and for the lovely morning light; for rest and food and loving care, and all that makes the day so fair . Knowing that you continue to care for us and our world, we pray that you would deliver the nations, including our own country, from war, famine, pestilence, catastrophic destruction, terrorism, injustice, despotism and poverty; so that all may know you are God and rise up to give you thanks, and also that your Gospel may spread far and wide liberally, and your Church may dwell in peace and quietness. Look with kindness on our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, as well as our first responders, firefighters, doctors, nurses and peace officers, especially during this time of holiday festivities when many will be separated from their families by deployment or the call of duty. Keep them from harm, give them good leaders, and strengthen them to be people of rich integrity and justice even when under fire. Please...