This blog will be focused on the scriptures, textual criticism, patristic writings, systematic theology and a look into traditions that are within the catholic boundaries. By catholic boundaries I don't mean the Roman catholic branch of the church but the historical boundaries that have been put into place by early church fathers such as Irenaeus, Cyprian, Augustine, Chrysostom, Jerome and others. We will learn from them and follow them as long as their teachings adhere to the clear meaning and intention of the scriptures. Their authority will be treated as probable and they will be treated with great reverence, but the scriptures will have the final say when they are at odds with it, given that the word of God is certain and has authority over all.
The canon of scriptures will be treated in two layers. The first layer is comprised by the 66 books of the bible and this canon will determine the doctrines of the word of God. The second layer is comprised by the apocrypha or deuterocanonical books that will be received as the word of God in all points that agree with the books of the first layer and will be treated also with reverence because they have been used in the church historically for growth in godliness and piety. In that sense, I will follow the same distinction of St. Jerome of a canon that determines doctrine and another that is good for instruction in piety. If the second canon agrees or clarifies the first I may refer to it as sacred scripture.
The scriptures in the original languages have greater authority than translations in points where they happen to disagree. By original languages I mean the old testament in Hebrew and Aramaic as well as the new testament in Greek, specifically the received text. Having examined the textual variants between the so-called Textus Receptus, the Majority Text and the Nestle-Aland text, I came to the firm conviction that the Textus Receptus was a master piece that God gave to the church in the West, being the closest we have to the original (in Matthew through Jude), even though I have corrected it in points where, looking at the evidence, the Majority Text and/or the Alexandrian text are clearly superior over the Textus Receptus, which I have corrected in hundreds of places.
My main purpose with this blog will be to expound Christian truths as they are found in the scriptures, the traditional teachings of the church and the historical creeds without becoming sectarian. It is my plan to show points where every tradition needs reformation and be a blessing to Christians wherever they may be found without instilling into them the anxiety that if they do not join a particular group, they have no hope. May the Lord protect me from doing harm to His sheep!
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