Witnesses to the faith

Topics

Each doctrine with its witnesses: Scripture, the Apostolic Fathers, the apologists, contemporary theologians, the liturgy, the definition and history. Every witness has a card with its text and source.

Case file
The Doctrine of Theosis
Theosis is the Church's teaching that man is called to share in the divine life by grace, not by nature: to be united to God without his essence becoming God's. In St Athanasius' words, "He became man that we might be made god" (On the Incarnation 54). Here are the witnesses to this teaching from Scripture, the Fathers, the liturgy and history, each with its text and source.
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’?”
Gospel of John 10:34
Witnessed on 6 of 7 axes
- Scripture1
- Apostolic· Not added yet
- Apologists2
- Contemporary1
- Liturgy2
- Definition1
- History1
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8 cards · 6/7 axes · Updated 13 October 2026
Case file
Ancestral Sin
Ancestral sin is what mankind inherited from Adam's fall: death, corruption and an inclination to sin, not Adam's personal guilt. This is how the Eastern Fathers read the Fall, and where their teaching differs from the doctrine of "original sin" as Augustine framed it. Here are the witnesses to this teaching from Scripture, the Fathers, the liturgy and history, each with its text and source.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 5:12
Witnessed on 6 of 7 axes
- Scripture1
- Apostolic· Not added yet
- Apologists2
- Contemporary1
- Liturgy2
- Definition1
- History1
Open the file
8 cards · 6/7 axes · Updated 13 October 2026
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Do We Receive His Humanity Alone?
Do we receive Christ's humanity alone in the Eucharist? In the Divine Liturgy the Church confesses that the Body we receive is "the life-giving Body" the Only-Begotten took from the Virgin "and made one with His divinity, without mingling, without confusion and without alteration." Here are the witnesses to this teaching from Scripture, the Fathers, the liturgy, the hymns and history, each with its text and source.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Gospel of Matthew 26:26-28
Witnessed on 6 of 7 axes
- Scripture1
- Apostolic· Not added yet
- Apologists2
- Contemporary1
- Liturgy2
- Definition1
- History1
Open the file
8 cards · 6/7 axes · Updated 13 October 2026
Case file
Do We Worship One God?
Do we worship one God? The Church believes in one God in three Hypostases, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: one essence without division, and distinct Persons without confusion. In St Basil the Great's words, "we confess the distinction of the Persons, while abiding by the Monarchy." Here are the witnesses to this teaching from Scripture, the Apostolic Fathers, the Fathers, the liturgy and history, each with its text and source.
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Gospel of Matthew 3:16-17
Witnessed on 7 of 7 axes
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8 cards · 7/7 axes · Updated 13 October 2026
Case file
The Mystery of the Cross and the Unity of All in God
On the Cross Christ stretched out His hands to gather the two scattered peoples to one God, "one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:6). The Fathers see in the very shape of the Cross, its four arms going out from one centre, an image of Him who binds all things together in Himself. Here are the witnesses to this teaching from Scripture and the Fathers, each with its text and source.
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Epistle to the Ephesians 4:6
Witnessed on 2 of 7 axes
- Scripture1
- Apostolic· Not added yet
- Apologists2
- Contemporary· Not added yet
- Liturgy· Not added yet
- Definition· Not added yet
- History· Not added yet
Open the file
3 cards · 2/7 axes · Updated 13 October 2026

Topics

The Doctrine of Theosis

Ancestral Sin

Do We Receive His Humanity Alone?

Do We Worship One God?

The Mystery of the Cross and the Unity of All in God