christianity

Is Orthodox Christianity Always the Same? (Sermon July 30, 2017)

Discussing St. Paul's admonition that we 'all speak the same thing,' Fr. Andrew discusses which elements of Orthodox Christianity cannot vary and which can and do.




christianity

Out of Appalachia: Orthodox Christianity and the Old Regular Baptists

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick journeys into the hollers of central Appalachia and encounters one of the least-known forms of American Protestant religion, exploring their faith, their music and one of their churches, through the eyes of an Orthodox priest raised in that tradition.




christianity

Why Christianity Must Have Saints (June 3, 2018)

On the feast of All Saints, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick discusses what it means to be a saint, both for us and for those we usually think of as 'saints,' as well as why saints are actually critical to Christianity.




christianity

No Love? No Church. No Christianity. (July 1, 2018)

St. Paul's famous Love Chapter in 1 Cor. 13 follows on the closing verses of 1 Cor. 12, which are about the gifts God gives the Church in her people. So what is love? Where do we get it? And how does that express itself in these gifts? What about love in daily life?




christianity

Christianity is Not a Fair Deal (Sept. 30, 2018)

Speaking on 2 Cor. 9:6-11, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick discusses why Christianity isn't a fair exchange and also why we often can't see what God is giving us.




christianity

History is Necessary for Christianity (July 7, 2019)

Using St. Paul's comments about the Law of Moses in Gal. 3-4 especially in light of the Apostolic Council of Acts 15, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick argues that history is not just important for the Christian but actually necessary to Christian theology.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity

Matthew is forced to reject Western punishment theories because of one simple fact: God, by nature, does not change.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 14

In this segment, Matthew notes the true nature of God's "wrath."




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 23

Matthew explains how experiencing God requires two elements - asceticism and the mysteries, or sacraments.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 22

Matthew examines the Western Charismatic movement.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 21

Matthew outlines the problems inherent in a relationship with God based on rational contemplation or imagination.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 15

Matthew points out how the difference between the God of the Old and New Testaments is actually our own spiritual maturing.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 12

Matthew looks at the history of God's actions towards us to see if "legal" theories hold water.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 11

In this segment, Matthew outlines the "ransom theory" of salvation subscribed to by the early Church.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 10

This week, Matthew outlines three ways that the remnants of Augustine's philosophy infect even those who are trying to return to an intimate experience with God.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 9

Matthew continues his discussion of Augustine and his views on predestination.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 8

Matthew shows how a misunderstanding of the story of the Garden of Eden leads to a misunderstanding of our relationship with God.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 7

Looking more closely at the Augustinian view of God, Matthew examines the concept of "original sin".




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 19

Matthew answers those sects that subscribe to an "annihilation doctrine".




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 5

In this segment, Matthew differentiates between the Eastern view of God as opposed to Augustine and the West.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 6

Matthew Gallatin continues his examination of the differences between the Eastern and Western Churches, specifically their perspective on the nature of God.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 20

Matthew reveals how the second obstacle to overcome in Western philosophy is in finding intimacy with God.




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Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 24

Matthew gives us the third obstacle between western believers and the experience of pre-Augustinian Christianity—misconceptions about the nature of the Church.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 25

Matthew concludes his series by noting how the rationalism and idealism of western culture prevents seekers from recognizing the true Church.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 4

In this segment, Matthew contrasts the mystical experience of the Eastern Church with the rational philosophy of the West.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 16

Matthew examines the wrathful deeds of the loving God.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 18

Matthew explains that the Eastern Christian view of punishment lies not in God's actions towards sinners, but in the sinners' reaction to God's love.




christianity

Sola Scriptura and Philosophical Christianity - Part 17

Matthew reveals that God shows redemptive love, not vindictive vengeance, to those he punishes—especially to children.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 1

Matthew examines the Orthodox Church's beliefs concerning the Scriptures and its teachings regarding Holy Tradition.




christianity

Sola Scriptura And Philosophical Christianity - Part 2

Matthew continues his examination of sola scriptura and contrasts it with the Apostles decision regarding the circumcision of gentiles.




christianity

Sola Scriptura and Philosophical Christianity - Part 3

Matthew notes how Eastern Orthodox Christians possess both the light (scriptures) and the path (ascetic, sacramental experiences).




christianity

Orthodoxy: Christianity, Just Harder

Interviews and arguments, struggles and slogans, one thing's certain: Orthodoxy ain't easy -- and that's no small thing. Or, is it?




christianity

The Consolidation of Christianity in the Byzantine Empire

Fr. John addresses the uncertainty in Byzantium following the death of Constantine and then the consolidation of Christianity shortly after that.




christianity

Replacing Reformational Christianity

In this episode Fr. John Strickland discusses various ways in which Christendom's leadership rejected the reformational Christianity that had provoked the wars of Western religion and replaced it with science, philosophy, pietistic Christianity, and a new religion known as deism.




christianity

Utopian Christianity

In the nineteenth century, some Christians in America developed radically new visions of God's relationship to man and the cosmos. This "utopian Christianity" produced Unitarianism, Mormonism, and a string of millenarian sects. Father John Strickland concludes the episode with one of the most daring and disturbing examples of American utopianism, the community of Oneida in upstate New York.




christianity

Mega-Themes in Christianity

Fr John explores a Barna Group study on the state of Christianity in North America and asks how the observations impact us as Orthodox Christians. The study can be found HERE.




christianity

Costco, Clemson, and Christianity

Fr. John reflects on a few experiences at Costco, and then about Clemson and Christianity.




christianity

Dr. John Mark Reynolds on Christianity and Culture

Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Torrey Honors professor at Biola University, talks about Christianity and Culture.




christianity

Kevin Speaks With The Rabbi About Judaism And Christianity

This week Kevin re-conneects after 35 years with his old college dorm neighbor, Conservative Jewish Rabbi Alan J.Iser, about Judaism, the Jewish roots of Orthodox Christianity, and how religious Jews understand the Torah verses what Christians interpret christologically in this frank interview. Rabbi Iser is the spiritual leader of Congregation OR SHALOM in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. 44:05




christianity

148: Orthodox Christianity and Racial Reconciliation

Meet Father Paisius Altschul, the priest of Saint Mary of Egypt Serbian Orthodox Church and the Executive Director of Reconciliation Services/FOCUS Kansas City. Kevin speaks with Father Paisius about his community’s unique ministry of racial reconciliation and ministry to the poor and homeless in the inner city of Kansas City. (USA).




christianity

163:  Yoga and Orthodox Christianity: Are They Compatible?

Dr. Christine Mangala was raised in India and brought up a devout Hindu. Her family was close to one of India's leading Hindu gurus and teachers. Now an Orthodox Christian writer and teacher, she and Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen speak about whether various aspects of Hindu Yoga are compatible with Christian faith and practice, or whether Yoga should be shunned entirely.




christianity

133: Law and Order and Orthodox Christianity

Rookie police officer, Orthodox deacon's son and priest's grandson, Joseph (Jobie) Braun speaks with Kevin about his job as a policeman in the infamous Los Angeles "South Central" area (e.g. the movie "Training Day") and how his Orthodox Christianity keeps him grounded.




christianity

96: The Culture War and Orthodox Christianity

Fr. Hans Jacobse, editor of Orthodoxy Today and President of The American Orthodox Institute speaks with host Kevin Allen about whether Eastern Orthodox Christians need to engage in the moral and social war that is being waged in our culture. They will also talk about whether "Religious Right" leaning ex-Evangelical converts are taking over the Orthodox churches in America! Buckle your seat belts!




christianity

Constantine, Eusebius, and the Future of Christianity

Princeton University's Philip and Beulah Rollins Professor of History Emeritus Dr. Peter Brown presented the 30th Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture to a standing room only crowd in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building at St. Vladimir's Seminary.




christianity

Thinking Orthodox - The Distinctiveness of Orthodox Christianity

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




christianity

Inside-out Christianity

Fr. Apostolos talks about the dangers of confusing externalism with spiritual fruit.




christianity

Cafeteria Christianity is Destroying Your Faith

The scriptural readings for the eighth Sunday after Pentecost reveal a clear picture of who we are to be in Christ. St Paul teaches us that we are to be of the same mind, while St Matthew records the miracle of feeding the 5,000. Fr Thomas teaches us that we must consciously reject the choices the world presents to us, but rather fully immerse ourselves into the Church's life, which is transforming us into the likeness of God.




christianity

Three Myths About Christianity

In the second of his Holiness Month series, Fr Thomas dispels three myths about Christianity. (Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30) All Saints Sunday, June 11, 2023




christianity

The Five Pillars of Christianity

Fr. Gregory Hallam gives the sermon for Sunday, 10 March 2019.




christianity

Christianity and Human Life

Professor David Frost addresses the theme of Christianity and Human Life and explores the topics of abortion, contraception, euthanasia, and suicide.