Showing results by author "Bishoy Boshra Behnam" in All Categories

Volume 2 - Book 7 of the Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Eschatology and the After Life The book addresses questions about the following topics: The Gift of Death and the Resurrected Life in Christ The Sacred Pain of Loss Millennialism (Chiliasm) The Two Comings and the Rapture The Final Judgment The Resurrected Body Heaven and the Jerusalem Above

The book of Daniel has a special significance in the life of believers, for it is not a record of Daniel’s life or an era of the history of the Israelites during the Babylon captivity. But instead, it is a divine book that the Holy Spirit offers us to instill hope in the hurt souls. Sometimes, God allows throwing us in the fiery furnace of trials, yet He changes the nature of fire for our comfort and peace. On the one hand, the book reveals to us that God is the Controller of all histories, who works for the edification of his faithful believers in any place. On the other hand, this book ...

The group of Historical Books in the Old Testament present a long history of Israel and Judah. They are: the Books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Samuel 1 and 2, from the end of Judges to the end of David’s reign. 1 and 2 Kings, from the last days of David to the start of the Babylonian Exile and the destruction of the Temple. 1 and 2 Chronicles, from the reign of Saul to the return of the people from the Exile. Ezra and Nehemiah, covering the reorganization of the Jewish community after the Exile and the Book of Esther. The Bible is not a historical record of the events in the life of a ...

The book of Sirach may seem like the constitution which governs our earthly life and practical conduct. This perspective is right though incomplete. The book is a journey into a deeper understanding of divine guidance, which purifies our thoughts, feelings, words, and conducts through the wisdom of God the Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The believers take pride in the divine gift of mental enlightenment while taking into consideration the following facts: 1- The Lord gave the rational earthly and heavenly beings both “wisdom” and freedom of will. 2- Heavenly wisdom bestows ...

Saint John Chrysostom says: [Prayer is a mighty weapon, an unfailing treasure, a wealth which is never expended, a harbor that is always calm, a foundation for tranquility. Prayer is the root and source and mother of ten thousand blessings. It is more powerful than the empire itself.] This book presents 10 prayers from the prayers of the saints: St. Ephraim the Syrian, Spiritual Elder (St. John Saba), St. Isaac the Syrian, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine.

Dive deep into the heart of the most holy periods of the Christian liturgical year, Holy Week and Pascha. This exploration invites readers into a profound dialogue with Christ, mirroring the intimate conversations that shape our journey towards spiritual renewal and resurrection under his leadership through His Holy Spirit. The book weaves the narrative of Lazarus Saturday with the sequential days of Holy Week, shedding light on the powerful biblical events and their implications for personal practical faith. From the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to the profound mysteries of the Last ...

With every book of the Holy Scripture, in both the Old and the New Testaments, our hearts are drawn more toward Jesus the Lord of Glory, in order to get to know Him more and to kindle the fire of our love for Him inside us. It brings us to anticipate with great longing His coming to carry us with Him up to the bosom of God the Father so we may enjoy the exalted secret of God. This book confirms the preoccupation of God the Creator in the affairs of men. In His care for us, He grants us the divine wisdom to keep us in this world, to let us bear a creative mind and by it to grants us eternity...

God created man in His image as the most perfect of His creation on earth. He did not plan to leave the man in Paradise alone, but to embrace him as His beloved, and to grant mankind unity with Him. God used to speak with Adam for it was written, "... and they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden." (Gen. 3:8). Similarly, God started a dialogue with the first patriarch, Abraham, to declare to him His divine plan, saying, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?" (Gen. 18:17). God, who is incomprehensible, reveals Himself, His nature, His mysteries, and His will to His ...

To our Beloved sons and daughters What do you know about the book of First Samuel? The subject: Appointing a king over Israel. In the beginning, God was the king. God sent them judges when they went astray, but the people asked for a king like the other nations. The topic of this book: Samuel was the fruit of his mother’s prayers, and Saul was the fruit of the persistence of the people, not the fruit of prayer. King David was the fruit of the prayers of Samuel the prophet. + This is considered a topic about the fruit of prayers. + The beginning of choosing a king, that is why we find for ...

To our Beloved Children: What do you know about historical books? To know the Judges' era in the Old Testament, we have to know the various historical stages from the standpoint of the salvation of mankind. 1. The creation stage: The book of Genesis talked to us about the creation to realize how God granted man authority and power to learn and explore until the modern man reached outer space. 2. The renewal stage: Since the creation was defiled, there was only one righteous family, which was Noah, his sons and their wives. God asked them to renew the world through the ark and the flood. 3. ...

From the inspiration of St. Basil the great on the Feast of the Holy Epiphany: - Baptisms of Moses, of John the Baptist and of the Lord Jesus - My Holy Spirit will guide you to the new birth - I received you that I may cover you and become your Goodness, your holiness and your salvation - The Father loves you!

Young children as well as grown ups can gain much happiness from listening to the beautiful stories which are told in the book of Exodus, despite the fact that these stories took place more than thirty centuries ago. Now I want you to close your eyes and imagine Miriam, the prophetess and sister of Aaron and Moses, imagine that you are sitting by her side along with the other children gathered around. Miriam loved to tell stories, and the children loved to hear them. She would tell them about things she herself had seen and had heard. Miriam kept many of these stories in her heart and mind,...

The Minor Prophets are called “Minor” because their prophecies were short, not because they were any less important. The Jews paid special attention to these Scriptures and compiled them in one Book as they have a common goal. They did tackle the dark period that the kingdoms of Judah and Israel had lived through. They covered the time before, during and after the Assyrian captivity of Israel as well as the Babylonian exile of Judah. The Minor Prophets focused on the wonderful Kingdom of God. As they reveal the vulnerabilities of all the classes of the Jewish people. They also reveal ...

Every believer can relate to this Catechism series, regardless of his nationality. He is about becoming a man of God and His beloved Son, so that his heart may be filled with love for all humankind, praying for everyone, even to those who persecute the Church. It invites us to enjoy the heavenly experience, righteousness in faith and growth in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our teacher St. Paul talks about “the mystery that was kept secret since the world began” (Cf. Rom 16:25). He refers to God’s work in the New Testament, Who fulfilled the mysterious Heavenly plan so that ...

Origen believes that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind. Christ who loved humanity, even when they were sinners and enemies, and sacrificed Himself on their behalf, is asking to have a personal relationship with every soul. Therefore, Origen attributes Christ to himself as his own, savior calling Him “my Christ.” The Apostle (St. Paul) declares what is written about Adam and Eve thus: “This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32); He has loved her so that He gave Himself up for her, while she was yet disobedient, even as he says: “...

Jesus Ben Sirach did not only speak to his disciples, but he also prayed for them while in their presence. He also recorded prayers about them. Together with the prayers of the saintly people of God - men and women of earlier times - these are all considered contemporary prayers for new generations. His prayers constitute a dialogue shared between him and God. They offer honor to God in anticipation of His divine care to all human beings, and they also convey the love of humankind. The desire and spirit of prayer are a gift from God. A person who desires to pray stands in the presence of ...

The Introduction to the New Testaments is a brief tour to every book of the twenty-seven Book of the New Testament. Each book is summarized in bullet points and a table. The “Gospel” is the joyful delight in our Lord Jesus Christ and the acceptance of His kingdom within us. Through the Gospel, we enter into the Father’s embrace and become partakers in His heavenly eternal glory.

The Books of the Prophets were written during the Dark Age in the history of the Jewish people. God sent His prophets to deliver His message fearlessly before kings, priests and ordinary people. God proclaims His love of mankind by bestowing the gift of prophecy on His children. The essence of prophecy is to reveal God’s secret thoughts and plans for His children. Prophecy is highly esteemed and occupies nearly one third of the Bible. Scholars traditionally divide the Books of Prophets into Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel) and Minor Prophets (the rest of the Books of ...

The Ancestors of Israel Glorify God A Poem Dedicated to the Heroes of the Faith glorifying God across history The roots of wisdom are found in the people of God and are mentioned in the Old Testament. Wisdom spread to all nations through the Incarnate Word of God, who offers wisdom and salvation to all humankind. It is only through union with the Lord Jesus Christ that we receive true wisdom, for He is the Incarnated Wisdom of God. He protects His believers from sin and grants them eternal life. Ben Sirach does not mention all the famous ancestors. Instead, he wishes to assert that every ...

To the Coptic Orthodox Church, Dogmas are not merely theological concepts concerning God, man, Church, eternal life, heavenly creatures, demons, etc., to be discussed among clergymen, scholars, and laymen. But dogmas are, in essence, daily experiences each member of the Church has to live. In other words, dogmas representing our faith in God through various aspects have one message, i.e., our communion with God the Father in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, by His Holy Spirit. Thus, we conceive of our redemption, our membership in the Church, a deep understanding of the Holy Bible, ...