Pages

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Christ's Divine Strategy in Defeating the Devil (St. Gregory Palamas)


By St. Gregory Palamas

The pre-eternal, uncircumscribed and almighty Logos and omnipotent Son of God could clearly have saved man from mortality and servitude to the devil without Himself becoming man.

He upholds all things by the word of His power and everything is subject to His divine authority (cf. Heb. 1:3). According to Job, He can do everything and nothing is impossible for Him (cf. Job 42:2 LXX).

The strength of a created being cannot withstand the power of the Creator, and nothing is more powerful than the Almighty.

But the incarnation of the Logos of God was the method of deliverance most in keeping with our nature and weakness, and most appropriate for Him who carried it out, for this method had justice on its side, and God does not act without justice.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

How Do Non-Orthodox Christians Work Miracles and Prophesy?


Questions and Answers

By St. Anastasios of Sinai,
Bishop of Theoupoleos

Question 20:

With what power do those who believe and do the opposite, oftentimes prophesy and work miracles?

Answer:

Various signs and miracles and prophecies oftentimes take place by those who are unworthy, according to some need or condescension, as with Barlaam and the ventriloquism. And elsewhere the Apostles, when they found a certain unbeliever "casting out demons in the name of Christ," and they prevented him and reported him to Christ, Christ told them: "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you" (Lk. 9:50).

.

.