In a new series, Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt team teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. In this first episode we learn that the purpose in marriage is not happiness but holiness.

Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. In part 2, they talk about the priority of pleasing God in our marriages.

How do we love our spouses even when we don't feel love? Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Contempt has become an epidemic in our society and it can spill over into our marriages. Dn. Michael Hyatt reminds us that as our marriages mature, we have to guard against disrespecting our spouses. Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Would you have thought that the quality of your marriage has a direct correlation to prayer? In this 5th episode of the Sacred Marriage series, Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt discuss the ramifications of your prayer life as it relates to your marriage.Together they are teaching through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt says that recognizing and dealing with our own sin is a necessary component of a good marriage. Together they are teaching through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. In this episode, Dn. Michael mentions 2 books by Drs. David and Mary Ford:Marriage as a Path to HolinessGlory and Honor: Orthodox Christian Resources on Marriage

Perseverance in marriage is not only possible it is expected by God. What choices are we making today that will either build up or tear down our marriages tomorrow? Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

There is a struggle in marriage and that isn't all bad. Discover what can result in this next class as Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Conflict is inevitable in a marriage. But when it happens, we can either advance in our relationships or decline. Today's topic is Falling Forward when conflict arises as Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Before moving on to the remaining chapters, Dn. Michael and Gail address questions from AFR listeners by email as well as from the audience. They are teaching through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

What are we willing to sacrifice for our spouses. Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt share a personal story as they continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

In this class, Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt address sex in the marital relationship as a means to holiness as they continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt discuss the importance of Sacred Presence in the marriage as they continue to teach through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt wrap up the series teaching through the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. This final lesson is about Sacred Mission as a couple. Your marriage must be about more than itself if it's going to be healthy and flourishing.

Dn. Michael Hyatt begins a new series in his class going through the book by Dr. Peter Bouteneff entitled How to Be a Sinner. Discovering ourselves as sinners is a first step.

To see ourselves as God sees us is real truth and part of that is to see ourselves as sinners when revealed by the divine light. Dn. Michael Hyatt is teaching through How to Be a Sinner by Dr. Peter Bouteneff.

Before communion we declare that we are the chief of sinners. But is that true? If so, how are we to interpret that claim? Dn. Michael Hyatt continues going through the book How to be a Sinner by Dr. Peter Bouteneff.

Dn. Michael Hyatt continues going through the book How to Be a Sinner by Dr. Peter Bouteneff. In this lesson, he speaks about the importance of self-awareness.

As sinners, how are we to look at ourselves? Dn. Michael Hyatt continues going through the book How to be a Sinner by Dr. Peter Bouteneff.

What is the difference between mercy and grace? Dn. Michael Hyatt continues going through the book How to Be a Sinner by Dr. Peter Bouteneff.

In this concluding episode in the How to Be a Sinner series, Dn. Michael Hyatt interviews the author, Dr. Peter Bouteneff.

Dn. Michael Hyatt begins a new series on the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, those second-generation Christian writers who learned at the feet of the Apostles themselves. Dn. Michael is using The Apostolic Fathers in English by Michael W. Holmes.

Dn. Michael Hyatt continues his series on the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, those 2nd generation Christian writers who learned at the feet of the Apostles themselves. Dn. Michael is using The Apostolic Fathers in English by Michael W. Holmes. This episode looks at the First Epistle of St. Clement. You will be amazed at how contemporary it is.

Guilt, shame, and compunction. What role do they all play in the acknowledgement and treatment of our sin? Dn. Michael Hyatt continues going through the book How to Be a Sinner by Dr. Peter Bouteneff.

Dn. Michael Hyatt interviews Fr. Chad Hatfield, the President of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York. Learn about his coming to Orthodoxy, his experience in Alaska, and the seminary he leads.

Ignored by much of Western Christendom, these letters give us insight into how the very early Church viewed the role of the bishop as well as the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Continuing his series on the Apostolic Fathers, Dn. Michael Hyatt looks at the Martyrdom of Polycarp, one of the most inspiring and instructional accounts of martyrdom in Church history.

If there was a catechism manual you could read that dates back to the time of the Apostle John or very soon thereafter, would you be interested? Believe it or not there is! Learn about The Didache as Dn. Michael Hyatt continues his series on the Apostolic Fathers.

What was different about those early Christians. The little known Letter to Diognetus gives us a glimpse as Dn. Michael Hyatt continues his class on the Apostolic Fathers.

A new church school class has started at St. Ignatius Orthodox Church in Franklin, TN taught by Dn. Michael Hyatt. Dn. Michael is teaching through the popular book by Dr. Jeannie Constantnou - Thinking Orthodox. This is the introductory lesson. If you don't have a copy, order one today. Available in print, eBook, and Audiobook formats.

Dn. Michael Hyatt begins looking at chapter 2 of Thinking Orthodox by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou. It's called The Distinctiveness of Orthodox Christianity.

In this week’s class, Dn. Michael considers Orthodox Thinking from four different perspectives: Ancient Greek literature, the Biblical text, the writings of the fathers, and the practice of ordinary Orthodox Christians.

Now that we’ve discussed the two major expressions of the Western phronema (episode 122), Dn. Michael returns to the Orthodox phronema to compare and contrast it. If we are going to acquire it, we need to know what we’re looking for. In this episode he discusses the five main attributes of an Orthodox phronema.

The concept of “phronema” (a mindset, approach, stance, or way of thinking) is inescapable. Everyone has one. However, the phronema of the West is very different from that of the East. In this episode, Dn. Michael unpacks the two major expressions of the Western phronema: Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. While they seem very different, they are more similar than you might think.

Up until this point, we have focused on understanding the concept of an Orthodox phronema—what it is and how it is different from the Western phronema. In this episode, we explore five actions you need to take in order to acquire an Orthodox phronema. Thinking Orthodox by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou

Many people view theology as a dry, academic pursuit. In the Orthodox tradition, however, we understand theology as talking to God, not merely talking about Him. In this episode, we look at the three saints in the church’s history who bear the title “Theologian.” Their examples show us what true theology is and how to make it part of our Christian experience.

Tradition is the foundation of Orthodox Christianity. It permeates everything we believe and do. But when Orthodox Christians talk about Tradition, they mean something different that Protestants or Roman Catholics. In this episode, we consider five questions about Tradition, including what it is and what it’s not

We’ve seen the important role Tradition plays in the shaping of our phronema. But what role does the Bible play in its development? To answer that question, we consider Holy Scriptures from three perspectives: Inspiration, Interpretation, and Instruction. We also look at how Tradition and Scripture relate to each other.

An Orthodox Phronema sits on a three-legged stool: Tradition, Scripture, and the Fathers. In this episode, we consider the role of the Fathers. Specifically, we answer several questions about them: Who are they, why are they important, and how do they relate to Scripture and Tradition.

As we have learned, “the theologian is one who prays.” While that is certainly important, it’s not the only characteristic of true theologians. There’s more to it than that—much more. In this episode, Dn. Michael considers ten characteristics of true theologians. Surprisingly, they’re relevant to all Orthodox Christians not just theologians.

In this study, Dn. Michael wrap up his series on Thinking Orthodox. He summarizes the book, by looking at How Jesus Christ is the epitome of an Orthodox phronema. He considers seven truths about developing an Orthodox mindset.

In his first episode, Steve reflects on fish, turtles, Disney, life and death.

In this podcast Steve gives a simple way to get to know someone quickly: take them out for dinner. He discusses how both CEO's of international corporations and the scriptures tell us that how people treat waiters and waitresses says volumes about their personality, ethics and spiritual life.

I had to put one of my dogs to sleep. He was young, healthy but had been abused. He started biting visitors to our home. I was confronted with the question, "What does love demand?" When our pets die, or we have to kill them, what do we tell our kids? What do we do for closure? Do our pets go to heaven?

Steve begins a four part series on "Capital Punishment". In Part One he chronicles his work with emotionally disturbed children and the beginning of his shift from radical pacifism to a reconsideration of the death penalty.

In the second part of the series Steve discusses the Flood as the dividing line in human history in regard to the meaning of death, fear and capital punishment. Did the Mosaic Law abrogate the covenant with Noah? What do the atheist and the Christian have in common in regard to capital punishment?

In Part 3 of the series, Steve begins a discussion of the Church and State. How do we view Judaism as a theocracy? Is Jesus anti-death penalty? What is the purpose of civil authority? Is the State constrained to function on the level of the Gospel and should it?

What are the pitfalls of a "Christian State"? Can or should the State govern according to the Gospel? Can "forgiveness of enemies" be a valid principle of civil order? What do the Fathers of the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches say about the relationship of Church and State in regard to civil order and capital punishment?

This week Steve discusses the woman taken in adultery, would Jesus "flip the switch" on the electric chair, and should evildoers be given life in prison in hopes that they will eventually repent?

Is the death penalty really a deterrent? Is there a need to kill evildoers if we can keep society safe through the prison systems? Is punishment a primitive concept not fit for modern enlightened society?