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« Previous EntriesWhat is the nous?
Monday, September 29th, 2008It has been pointed out to me that many may not understand the term “nous,” from whence the term “noetic” comes. Here are some quotations to begin the discussion.
Met. Hierotheos
“all who pray with the nous have communion with God, and this communion is man’s spiritual knowledge of God”
“St. Maximus goes on to say that man [...]
Nathaniel McCollum misrepresents my theology and then is offended when I defend it.
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008Here is Nathaniel McCollum’s recent message:
“James, I’m not offended at theosis or squeamish of the doctrine of the Fathers. I have not even once said that I disagree with what you say, only that its presentation is “a bit overstated.” Part of my objection is largely your acerbic tone, which you have now turned upon [...]
Fr. Michael Azkoul comments on man’s free will
Thursday, September 11th, 2008Fr Michael Azkoul Says:
September 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pm e
Man was created with free will. Its power was compromised by the fall. It is further dimished by delusion and the passions. We escape them through true faith, worship and fasting. Our freedom increases as these negative forces decrease.
Fr. Michael submitted this comment to the “Kelley/Dyer” [...]
The Real Issue in the Kelley/Dyer Debate: Epistemology and Revelation
Sunday, August 31st, 2008I’m glad that you mention the infallibility of the Apostles, for you have unwittingly underscored what the real issue is: you and I have two divergent epistemologies.
You believe that the Pope, the Apostles and the Bible are somehow “infallible.”
I believe that the prophets, Apostles, and saints of all ages, up until this [...]
Response to Jay Dyer’s recent messages
Saturday, August 30th, 2008Above, Jay, you wrote:
“the Incarnation was not contingent upon a human willing in Christ, if you will. In the 5 and 6th Councils we read that the Savior’s human will is “altogether deified,” which, following the Incarnational principle of soteriology, itself indicates an initiatory and primary place to the divine in our conversion. Otherwise, our [...]
Jay Dyer and James Kelley begin the “real blog”, a friendship against the odds
Saturday, August 9th, 2008Dear readers,
Even though I aggresively attacked his ideas in my last two posts, Mr. Jay Dyer has since shown himself to be an icon of manliness and aplomb. Even though I insisted on pressing issues on my blog that Mr. Dyer pleaded with me to confine to one-on-one discussion with him, this fine gentleman [...]
Jay Dyer accuses the Orthodox Fathers of analogia fidae
Friday, August 8th, 2008Jay posted this on his site:
Do you think the Eastern Fathers agree that Scripture is not the proper source of knowldedge of God?
Do you find the Eastern Fathers to be a source of knowledge about God? Where do you think the Cappadocians learned about the Trinity, if not Scripture?
To these I responded,
Jay, [...]
Fr. Michael Azkoul, Photius Jones and the gang ask the difficult questions about Augustine
Saturday, July 26th, 2008I just posted this comment to energeticprocession.wordpress.com (my favorite site, hands down). I wish I could see the look on P. Robinson’s and Photius’ faces when Fr. Michael first popped in. Exiting for all of us, especially me, a long-standing admirer of Fr. Michael’s writings. Anyway, you all should also check the comments on my [...]
westernorthodox.blogspot.com not a dia-blog, but rather a mono-blog
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008Why is westernorthodox.blogspot.com such a popular spot when it refuses to publish comments which ask the difficult questions? Because it is not a real blog. It is a mono-blog. I can’t think of anything more disingenuous or sad. It’s like a talk-show where all the “callers” are really the producers and [...]
James has officially entered the “westernorthodox.blogspot.com” fray
Sunday, July 13th, 2008Here’s my recent comment to a post on: http://westernorthodox.blogspot.com/2006/02/most-unique-orthodoxy-ever.html
I think you guys should chime in, because I think the westernorth. crowd needs to see that I am not a lone nut, preachin’ sola barbe.
Hey “Ille,” just though you would like to know that any first-year seminarian in any Orthodox seminary knows that we [...]