The city of Rome and many places in Italy are replete with the ruins of ancient Latin civilization.  Though I have not been in Rome, I have seen a section of the old Roman wall of London, a Mithraic temple in the same city,  and a redoubt built by Roman…

We return to I Peter where we began several years ago with this blog project.  In Peter’s first letter we find baptismal language that expresses our Christian identity.  In Chapter Three, the apostle appeals to readers to be zealous for the good; and thus, if one suffers, it should be…

What follows is an outline of a course on apologetics and witness to be taught in a small group or Sunday School class.  The items under each category are articles having been written during the existence of the project.  The format would be a review of the articles, questions and…

Venantius Fortunatus (570-609)  wrote the hymn quoted below.  I will comment on each verse.  The English translation used here can be found in the Lutheran Book of Worship. Vexilla Regis prodeunt; fulget Crucis mysterium, quo carne carnis conditor suspensus est patibulo. The royal banners forward go; The cross shines forth in…

The title of this article is the title of a book by Danish philosopher and theologian, Soren Kierkegaard.  In it, he calls us to will one thing without competition from anything else.  To allow anything in life to compete with the willing of one thing is to be double-minded.  The…

The Sacraments of the Church, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion,  are vital when we consider apologetics and witness.  In his First Apology, Justin Martyr describes what Christians do when they gather on the first day of the week–they celebrate the Eucahrist. The Eucharist is central to all liturgical churches.  A repeated…

Let us pray. O Lord,  my soul thirsts for You as a deer thirsts for the waters of a flowing stream.  Come to me to give me living water.  Let it flow through me so that the Holy Spirit may manifest itself to others.  Make silent my foes, for the…

We begin with a review of apologetics and witness.  Apologetics pertains to a defense of the Christian faith either by written word or oral confession.  Witness has to do with a testimony to others for the sake of their conversion.  These two intersect.  Apologies also have the purpose of converting…

Not me!  I didn’t do it.  I’m not responsible.  Have you heard this before?  It is very common today, especially among public officials. We are responsible for our words and actions.  To blame others or things for what we have done is irresponsible and sinful.  We must face our mistakes…

For a revision of the article about Justin Martyr, please go to templetonproject.org or https://www.holytrinity.net under News and Blog on the home page.   Michael Tavella