Theology – Page 2 – Faith Unto Ages

The Early Church Fathers: Were they Miaphysite?

A common misconception about the Oriental Orthodox Church is that it’s Christology is ‘Monophysite’, meaning, that She followers the erroneous teachings of Eutyches of Constantinople that Jesus’ humanity had disappeared into His Divinity.

On the contrary, the Church teaches that Jesus Christ is Fully God and Fully Man; but One Concrete and Composite Nature from Two. This form of Christology is known as ‘Miaphysitism’, which has its basis in the teachings of the Early Church Fathers.

Below is an explanation of our Church’s Christology is more detail by His Holiness Pope Shenouda the Third, followed by a Florilegium on this dogmatic teaching.

The Divinity of Christ

The Oriental Orthodox Church teaches that Jesus Christ is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity – One in Essence with The Father and the Holy Spirit. Of all the Three Persons of The Holy Trinity, Only The Word (Jesus Christ) became Incarnate for our sake. This means that as the Eternal Logos (Word) of The Father, He took on flesh from the Virgin Mary – making Him perfect God and Perfect man in One Concrete Nature (More on this in a future post).

To expand on this dogmatic truth, St. Clement of Alexandria says the following: “The Word, then, the Christ, is the cause both of our ancient beginning—for he was in God—and of our well-being. And now this same Word has appeared as man. He alone is both God and man, and the source of all our good things” (Exhortation to the Greeks 1:7:1 [A.D. 190]).

Zodiac Signs & Astrology: Is It Compatible with Orthodoxy?

“O house of Israel, hear the word of the Lord, for He has spoken to you. Thus says the Lord: “Do not learn the ways of the Gentiles, and do not be afraid because of signs from the sky, for they themselves reverence these. For the customs of the peoples are vain.”[1]

One of the biggest perils which is poisoning souls is the belief in Zodiac Signs and Astrology. Even though many who practice astrology are in denial, it is factual that it is an ancient pagan religion which upholds beliefs and practices which are against the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the dogmas of His Holy Orthodox Church. Sadly, many Orthodox Christians that are not catechized have fallen into this grave error; especially the youth. This is because Zodiac Signs are mentioned in news papers, magazines, T.V. programs, music, and games; resulting in them becoming apart of today’s pop culture.