He Crushed Satan… (Cyril)

 I've come to appreciate Cyril of Alexandria's 5th-century commentary on Luke.  I don't necessarily agree with everything in it, but it is interesting, edifying, and enlightening.  While studying the account of Jesus casting the demon out of the man in the synagogue (Lk 4:33-35; cf. Mk 1:33-26), I came across these helpful comments by Cyril.…

He Continued To Be God (Cyril)

 Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444 AD) wrote a helpful commentary on the Gospel of Luke.  Cyril's stand for the biblical teaching of Christ's deity comes through clearly in his commentary.  Here's one example from his comments on Luke 9:47, where it says that Jesus knew the thoughts of his disciples' hearts: And now let him…

Cyril on Faith and Grace (Commentary on Luke)

It’s been a treat to read Cyril of Alexandria’s (d. 444) commentary on the Gospel of Luke.  Some of his insights have been quite helpful; in fact, I’ve leaned on his interpretation more than a few times in my studies and sermons on Luke.  Recently I read Cyril’s exposition of Luke 7:36-50, where a sinful…

The Faith of Our Fathers

In the first of his five-volume series on the history and doctrinal developments of the Christian church, Jaroslav Pelikan evaluates, explains, and summarizes the Christian beliefs of the catholic (universal) church from 100-600 AD.  Since many people today are writing - and duped by - historical revisions of the early church and its beliefs, it…

St. Cyril on Who – not What – God is

Reading Cyril of Alexandria's (5th century church father) commentary on John's gospel is a treat.  Here is a portion of Cyril commenting on the latter part of John 8, where Jesus says "Before Abraham was, I AM."  Notice how Cyril directs us not to what God is (his being), but who he is (his attributes as Scripture…