The Prayer of Manasseh; Ezra 9; Nehemiah 9; Psalm 51; 1 Chronicles 21:14-15; Mat 6:9-15; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Romans 5:8; Ephesian 4:32 What is forgiveness? How is it related to repentance? Is one the pre-requisite of the other? These questions have been foremost in my mind since hearing the compassion of Erika Kirk directedContinue reading “Light From the Readable Books 30: The Prayer of Manasseh, Repentance, and Forgiveness”
Author Archives: edithmhumphrey
Considering Biblical Studies?
Approaching Biblical Studies A new podcast interview has just been released in the “According to John” podcast. In this interview, John asks questions, which I attempt to answer, considering how Christians should approach the discipline of biblical studies in today’s environment. This is meant to be of help for those considering its pursuit, or inContinue reading “Considering Biblical Studies?”
Light from the Readable Books 29: Psalm 151 and David the Small
Psalm 151; 1 Kingdoms/2 Samuel 17; 1 Corinthians 1:22-27 Orthodox stand pretty much alone in including Psalm 151 in the OT Psalter, though it has its uses also in the Armenian and Coptic churches. In the past, though, it was used as a canticle even some “Western” lands, alongside others like the Song of theContinue reading “Light from the Readable Books 29: Psalm 151 and David the Small”
Half-price sale!
Beginning on Sept 16, which is the feast-day of St. Edith of Wilton, Ancient Faith will have a half-price sale for children’s books for six days, including Beyond the White Fence (ages 8-13), which features St. Edith in its first chapter. Get it for your kids for fall reading or as a stocking stuffer!
Light from the Readable Books 28: 4 Maccabees, God’s Reason, and the Passions
4 Maccabees, Hebrews 11, Acts 22, Revelation 12. “But why the Maccabees?” asked St. Gregory Nazianzen in an Oration given during a celebration of the martyrs (Oration 15). He went on to answer an assumption in his own day that martyrs can only be called such if they die for Christ, and so the MaccabeesContinue reading “Light from the Readable Books 28: 4 Maccabees, God’s Reason, and the Passions”
The Beauty of God with Humanity: The Trinity and Theological Anthropology
This keynote talk at Paideia 2025 is now available on YouTube through the hard work and artistry of Herman Middleton, known to the Orthodox community through his production The Protecting Veil. Find it in this link, or go to the latest item in my “Speaking Engagements and Interviews” section of my webpage:
On Holy Tradition, Development in the Church, and the Call to Transformation: A Response to Fr. Jillions’ Response
I begin by thanking Fr. John Jillions for responding (https://publicorthodoxy.org/2025/08/22/response-to-edith-humphrey/) to my paper, (https://edithmhumphrey.com/2025/07/14/experience-prophetic-faithfulness-and-orthodoxy/), even if he has mistaken or missed some of my major points. I am sorry that he found my tone “strident,” but am glad that he has taken it as an example of “vigorous debate” by someone of conviction. I apologizeContinue reading “On Holy Tradition, Development in the Church, and the Call to Transformation: A Response to Fr. Jillions’ Response”
Light from the Readable Books 27: 3 Maccabees and the Works of God in Egypt
3 Maccabees, Exodus 15, Daniel 3, Daniel 6, Jonah 2 3 Maccabees is a book included in Orthodox Bibles because of its presence in the Septuagint, and its acceptance in various authoritative documents, such as Apostolic Canon 85 (probably fourth century) and the decisions of Council of Truro (late seventh century). It is, despite itsContinue reading “Light from the Readable Books 27: 3 Maccabees and the Works of God in Egypt”
Light from the Readable Books 26: Maccabean War and Peace, Martyrdom and Resurrection
1 Maccabees 9:24-16:24; 2 Maccabees 7; 1 Kings (3 Kingdoms) 5:4; Micah 4:4; Zechariah 8:4; Ezekiel 34:27; Hebrews 12; Romans 4:17 We have already devoted two episodes to the first nine chapters of 1 Maccabees. There we saw the witness of the patriarch Mattathias, and the prowess of his son Judas, who made a goodContinue reading “Light from the Readable Books 26: Maccabean War and Peace, Martyrdom and Resurrection”
Light from the Readable Books 25: Judas Maccabeus, the Happy Warrior
1 Macc 3:1-9:22, 1 Samuel/2 Kingdoms 17, Psalm 100 (MT 101) Who is the happy Warrior? Who is heThat every man in arms should wish to be?…[It is that one] Who, doomed to go in company with Pain,And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train!Turns his necessity to glorious gain. The term “Happy Warrior,” used by FranklinContinue reading “Light from the Readable Books 25: Judas Maccabeus, the Happy Warrior”
Edith M. Humphrey 