Theological Term of the Week: Gregory the Great

Gregory the Great
Pope Gregory I, one of the greatest of Rome’s bishops. He was born in 540 and was pope from 590-604.1

• From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. H. Needham, page 307: 

Gregory was a devout disciple of Augustine of Hippo in his theology, but he blended Augustine’s theology with other elements drawn from the popular religious beliefs and practices of his own day. He taught that all human beings are born sinful, and that Christ alone in his sovereign grace can rescue sinners from their bondage to sin. This salvation comes through baptism, in which the Holy Spirit causes the sinner (including the new-born baby) to be spiritually reborn. However, the Christian must make up for sins committed after baptism through works of love. Gregory also taught that, for believers, holy communion had the power to wash away post-baptismal sin, and that if at death a Christian had any sins left which had not been dealt with, he must pay for them by sufferings in purgatory, a place of purifying fire midway between heaven and hell. Theologians had considered belief in purgatory to be an opinion rather than a definite Christian doctrine in Augustine’s time; Gregory’s influence helped to make it a definite doctrine in the West (although not in the East, which has never accepted the idea). Based on this belief in purgatory, Gregory introduced the practice of celebrating special communion services for the dead; such services, Gregory thought, were effective for remitting the sins of departed souls and thus hastening their passage from purgatory to heaven.  

Learn more:

1. Theopedia: Gregory the Great
2. Ligonier Ministries: Gregory “the Great”
3. Christian History: Gregory the Great
4. Christian History Institute: Gregory I and England

Related terms:

• Ambrose of Milan
• Apollinarius
• Athanasius
• Augustine of Hippo
• Basil of Caesarea
• Cappadocian fathers
• Cyril of Alexandria
• Gregory of Nanzianzus
• Gregory of Nyssa
• Hilary of Poitiers
• Irenaeus of Lyons
• Jerome
• John Chrysostom
• Justin Martyr
• Monica
• Nestorius
• Origen
• Pelagius
• Sabellius
• Tertullian

Filed under Christian History

1From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. R. Needham.

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Sunday's Hymn: Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the Head and Cornerstone,
Chosen of the Lord and precious,
Binding all the church in one;
Holy Zion’s help for ever
And her confidence alone.

All that dedicated city,
Dearly loved of God on high,
In exultant jubilation
Pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
In glad hymns eternally.

To this temple, where we call thee,
Come, O Lord of hosts today:
With thy wonted lovingkindness
Hear thy people as they pray;
And thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.

Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
What they ask of thee to gain,
What they gain from thee for ever
With the blessed to retain,
And hereafter in thy glory
Evermore with thee to reign.

Laud and honor to the Father,
Laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One,
One in might, and One in glory,
While unending ages run.

Other hymns of worship songs for this Sunday:

• I Know Whom I Have Believed at The Happy Wonderer 

Theological Term of the Week: Cyril of Alexandria

Cyril of Alexandria
Patriarch of Alexandria who was “the deepest thinking and most influential of all the Alexandrians.” He “wrote against Nestorius, demanding that he accept the Alexandrian view of Christ.”1

• From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. H. Needham, page 274: 

Unfortunately, Cyril’s theological brilliance went hand-in-hand with an almost unlimited ability to turn doctrinal debates into personal quarrels of bitter ferocity. It was never enough for Cyril to disprove and opponent’s theology; he had to destroy him as a man too. 

Learn more:

1. Theopedia: Cyril of Alexandria
2. Ligonier Ministries: Cyril and Nestorius
3. Tabletalk Magazine: A Forgotten Father: Cyril’s Fight for the Faith
4. Early Church.org: Cyril of Alexandria

Related terms:

• Ambrose of Milan
• Apollinarius
• Athanasius
• Augustine of Hippo
• Basil of Caesarea
• Cappadocian fathers
• Gregory of Nanzianzus
• Gregory of Nyssa
• Hilary of Poitiers
• Irenaeus of Lyons
• Jerome
• John Chrysostom
• Justin Martyr
• Monica
• Nestorius
• Origen
• Pelagius
• Sabellius
• Tertullian

Filed under Christian History

1From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. R. Needham.

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Do you have a a theological term you’d like to see featured as a Theological Term of the Week? Email your suggestion using the contact button in the navigation bar above. 

Clicking on the Theological Terms button will take you to an alphabetical list of all the theological terms.