The Nathan Jacobs Podcast Orthodox Foundations
Sep 23, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of Eastern Orthodox theology, exploring essential terms like pope, bishop, and the significance of the Pentarche. Discover the historical roots of apostolic succession and how church structures evolved post-persecution. Unpack the East-West divide and the causes behind the Great Schism of 1054. Delve into theological concepts like Theosis and predestination, and understand how language shifts can clarify rather than alter doctrine. Great insights await for anyone interested in bridging Protestant and Orthodox beliefs!
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Define Terms To Avoid Misunderstanding
- Nathan Jacobs stresses clarifying key terms before deeper theological discussion to prevent misunderstandings.
- He warns identical words across traditions can mean very different things historically and theologically.
Roadmap Of Essential Terminology
- Jacobs lists foundational terms (bishop, pentarchy, schism, patristic, councils, heresy) that recur in Eastern theology.
- He frames these as essential vocabulary for understanding the Eastern Fathers' gospel.
Pope Originally A General Title
- The words pope/bishop originated broadly and didn't initially mean only the Bishop of Rome.
- Early usage shows the term papa evolved from 'tutor' to a general episcopal title, not a late invention.
