Orthodox Patristics

Romanity Press to Release A Realism of Glory, The New Book on Fr. John Romanides By James L. Kelley

James Kelley — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:35:19 +0000

An excerpt from the soon-to-be released volume ( Romanity Press TT-002-01): As Fr. John…suggests, outside of Christ—the only true Word or Image of God the Father—there is no place for theology to begin. He is the Second Adam[1] who through his incarnation remade and reconstituted fallen humanity, thereby ending the first Adam’s bondage to death and [...]

For Norman Cantor (1929-2004)

James Kelley — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:46:18 +0000

I first heard about Norman Cantor from Dr. Joseph P. Farrell. Dr. Farrell’s God, History, and Dialectic quoted from some of Cantor’s works, and I took it upon myself to read Mr. Cantor’s work. Good enough for Dr. Farrell, good enough for me. Possibly the greatest achievement of Norman Cantor, in this scholar’s opinion, is not [...]

He Ain’t Experientially Heavy, He’s My Passenger!

James Kelley — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:25:18 +0000

Passenger, 1) Orthodoxy is an association of spiritual hospitals which exists to cure the heart of man. (Nothing difficult or challenging there.) 2) Non-Orthodox “Christians” have no idea what the heart/nous is much less how to cure it (this point is easy to prove and should cause no controversy whatsoever). You do need a reasoning brain to verify [...]

Andrew’s great site on Orthodox beards elicits praise from these quarters

James Kelley — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:15:13 +0000

Andrew (who recently thanked me for posting a pro-beard message on an Orthodoxlite website), God bless you. Your list of quotations is wonderful. Especially the one from St. Kosmas. I have a hand-painted icon of him in my cubicle at work. It’s funny how his extremely holy, exceedingly austere personality shines through [...]

What is the nous?

James Kelley — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:18:04 +0000

It 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 [...]

An apology to those I have wronged

James Kelley — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:34:38 +0000

To Aaron Taylor and to Nathaniel McCollum, Forgive me, brethren, I have sinned against you. As I chanted “O Gladsome Light” in my corner, my heart became soft and I was filled with remorse. How could I speak so casually about glorification, for I am the man of pride and self-regard. I know nothng about [...]

Nathaniel McCollum misrepresents my theology and then is offended when I defend it.

James Kelley — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:23:55 +0000

Here 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 [...]

Praise for Fr. John Savvas Romanides, of blessed memory

James Kelley — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:42:41 +0000

May your memory be eternal, Most honored and holy noetic athlete, Protopresbyter John Savvas Romanides. Your memory is ever-blessed. May we have a joyous meeting when we see each other in glory At the Lord’s Heavenly Altar! Memory eternal! Memory eternal! Memory eternal! Fr. John Romanides has restated the central teachings which the Holy Fathers learned through lives of noetic martyrdom. Fr. John [...]

Fr. Michael Azkoul comments on man’s free will

James Kelley — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:00:27 +0000

Fr 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

James Kelley — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:47:07 +0000

I’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 [...]