God
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A Timeline of Church History: East and West through 2,000 Years
The Great Schism between East and West is perhaps the most tragic development in the past 2,000 years, as each Church embodies the glories of the Divine in unique and complementary modes. This scandalous divorce has exerted egregious damage, not only on the Church, but on the entire world itself. God’s people will never be… Continue reading
bartholomew, bible, catholicism, christendom, christianity, church, church-history, constantine, constantinople, councils, ecumenical, filioque, francis, God, great schism, history, nicaea, orthodox, orthodoxy, patriarchs, patristics, pope, protestantism, reformation, Rome, salvation, theology, timeline, trinity, west -
200+ Theological Works to Read
The following is a list of ~215 books that I have read during the past several years on my road to Catholicism. I have attempted to sort the books below into categories and rank their reading difficulty (1-5), as well as provide embedded links to purchasable copies. I hope this may help those desiring to… Continue reading
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The Fiat of Conversion
As the universal joy of the Christmas season amplified, the anxiety of the imminent deadline of my New Year’s resolution to decide between Orthodoxy and Catholicism only intensified. In the heart of December, a conversation with a close friend arose concerning the differences in the angelic revelations to Mary and Zechariah, which would providentially serve… Continue reading
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10 Protestant Misconceptions of “Cathodoxy”
While Luther pounded on the door, St. Peter held the keys. With the hopes of advancing ecumenical dialogue, I would like to offer assistance in clarifying 10 misconceptions regarding Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy that I myself once assumed and which also seem to be the most pervasive within Protestantism. Continue reading
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Musings – Part 1
The following are reflections not fully complete in my mind but which may serve as springboards for future conversations and blog entries. They vary in topics and personal confidence regarding their respective propositions. Continue reading
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Sex & Salvation: In Defense of St. Gregory of Nyssa
In brief: Sex mirrors Salvation; and St. Gregory and the Church Fathers understood the dynamics of sex best because they truly understood the anatomy of salvation. Conversely, modernity understands neither sex nor salvation. Continue reading
About Me
Ben Gruender is a theology enthusiast and social commentator, particularly focused on topics pertaining to the Great Schism of the Eastern and Western Churches, as well as modern issues related to gender.
The Tribe of Benjamin was situated between the Tribe of Ephraim and the Tribe of Judah. The former functioned as the head of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, while the latter reigned as the head of the Southern Kingdom of Israel. Being positioned on the border of the two kingdoms, Benjamin struggled to discern a side of the Schism to join. After initially fighting on behalf of the Northern Kingdom, in the end, Benjamin became the lone outside tribe to remain in union with the King of Judah.
Tribe of Benjamin 