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”
Tag Archives: bible
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”
Experience, Prophetic Faithfulness, and Orthodoxy
The Very Rev. Father and Doctor John Jillions has written recently concerning the interplay of experience and tradition with regards to “LGBTQ+” concerns in the Church (https://publicorthodoxy.org/good-reads/lgbtq-experience-and-orthodox-tradition/). Dominant notes in his paper include what he describes as the “messy process” of discernment, a call that careful thinkers should be prepared for “new possibilities” regarding theContinue reading “Experience, Prophetic Faithfulness, and Orthodoxy”
Thinking About the Fourth “Sacramental” Gospel
In February, will be teaching the Fourth Gospel again for St. Cyril’s Coptic Seminary in Sydney Australia. I was asked to reflect on the subject and on the course, and thought perhaps my friends would be interested in why I love to teach this book, and what we can learn from it in particular. WhyContinue reading “Thinking About the Fourth “Sacramental” Gospel”
Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 9; Tobit: The Angel, the Dog, and the Humans
The book of Tobit, among the Old Testament Readables, instructs us even by means of its title, which is taken from the name of the father in the story. Tobit means “my good,” and his name is expanded in the name of Tobias, his son, which means “God is my good.” Throughout this engaging story,Continue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 9; Tobit: The Angel, the Dog, and the Humans”
New Podcast: “Family Bible Reading,” hosted by “Family Matters” podcast.
Family Bible Reading, a Joy and a Challenge I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation on this podcast, with host Fr. Alexander Goussetis. I hope that you will enjoy it, as well, and perhaps get some tips (many of which I have picked up from others!) on how to make Bible reading a joy in your family.
Debrief on the Deaconess Discussion
My thoughts from last night: Initially, I was appalled at the nasty popcorn (and insult!)-throwing that was going as we waited for the start of the session on Women Deacons/Deaconesses, by those who were sure that AF had the agenda of advocating for the role. The nasty ad-hominem and inaccurate remarks were at times intolerable.Continue reading “Debrief on the Deaconess Discussion”
Edith M. Humphrey 