Chrysostom

A Prayer for Mercy

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Psalm 57 (KJV)
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

A Theme to Remember:
The praying sinner receives mercy because his prayer is grounded on the promise of pardon made by Him whose right it is to pardon guilty sinners. The penitent seeker after God obtains mercy because there is a definite promise of mercy to all who seek the Lord in repentance and faith. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)

Words to Remember:
Mercy imitates God, and disappoints Satan.
–John Chrysostom

Greek Fathers

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The fourth-century had many great leaders. Three Cappadocians from Asia Minor were among the more prominent of the orthodox leaders. Basil was a capable bishop of the metropolitan church of Cæsarea in Cappadocia, and he had the knack of smoothing out theological difficulties. It was he who gave a rule to Eastern monasticism. His brother, Gregory of Nyssa, was the ablest theologian of his party after Athanasius, and he was in close sympathy with the thinking of Origen. The third was Gregory of Nazianzus, a schoolmate of Basil, who became distinguished as a poet and orator. Best known for his reputation as an orator was John Chrysostom, a native of Antioch. He was well educated, passed several years in the austere life of a monk, and then for twelve years was the preacher of the church in Antioch. His practical sermons delighted the people who flocked to hear him. In 398 he was given a still larger role as the patriarch of Constantinople. Unfortunately, his plain-speaking drew the hostility of the empress. His sympathy with the theological position of Antioch invited the hostility of Alexandria also. The result was that he was driven from his see and died in exile.

Impact: The Greek Fathers were important champions and defenders of the Nicene Creed and their influence as men of God who would never waver in their faith did much to defend orthodoxy against heresy and the interference of the government.

Chrysostom, John

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John Chrysostom (c. 347-407) was born in Syria. He studied rhetoric under the famed teacher Libanius. After his mother’s death, he entered a monastery near Antioch in 373 and remained there until about 381. That year he was named deacon of Antioch, a position he held for five years. In 386 he became the chief preacher in the city, due primarily to his great oratorical skills (Chrysostom means “golden mouthed”). In 398 he was named archbishop of Constantinople. Here he condemned the immorality of Queen Eudoxia which led to his banishment. He continued to care for the spiritual lives of the church through correspondence and contact with friends. He died in exile. His commentaries on the Bible along with his faithfulness during persecution made him a leading figure in the early church.