Many years ago, when I was tucking my eldest daughter into bed, she asked me a question: “Dad, why do we believe in the Resurrection?” I have always taught both my daughters to be strong and to think for themselves, and so I was happy to hear the question, and I answered it as best as I could, giving the historical evidence. At the end of it all, she said, “Oh, good. I was afraid you were going to say that we should believe in it because it was in the Bible.” No chance of that; Dad is not a fideist, nor a fan of circular reasoning. The case for Christianity is a strong one, and can withstand historical scrutiny. Here I would like to set out the case for Christianity in somewhat fuller terms than I did that night so long ago.

In my previous piece, “Why I Am a Christian (Part 1)” I examined the question of why one should believe in the physical Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. I looked at the essential historical reliability of the Gospels portraits of Jesus and His claims to be God. I concluded that given the number and audacity of those claims, there were only three live options on the table: either He was a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. I suggested that His many miracles made sense of and supported the third option.

It has been suggested to me that in many (most?) Evangelical circles one becomes a Christian “by accepting the finished work of Christ”—i.e. by believing and accepting as true that on the cross Jesus paid the full price due our sin and by saying a prayer acknowledging this.

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

Fr. Apostolos Hill discusses the book "God and the Pandemic' by Anglican bishop N.T. Wright. This book, as Fr. Apostolos notes, is written for us to consider the Christian response to this crisis as one of lamentation.

One of the most enduring questions in the minds of people is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Christians are certainly not immune from either bad things happening or questioning why. Fr Thomas, using the story of Jesus walking on the water, reminds us that He is the Master Teacher, and can use all struggles to bring us closer to Him. (Mt 14:22-33)

The Christian life is surely a paradox. Our Lord teaches those who love Him that if they want to be exalted, they must be humble; if they want to be great, they must be a servant. Fr Thomas leads us into Holy Week by telling us that the Lord Jesus Christ not only teaches this paradox, but He lives it, and by so doing, He wins our salvation.

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.

On the Feast of All Saints of North America, Fr Thomas reminds us of our Apostolic mission and how to meet the unprecedented challenges facing us in the 21st century.

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

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

Bobby interviews Fr. Lawrence Farley, the author of the new Conciliar Press book The Christian Old Testament: Looking at the Hebrew Scriptures Through Christian Eyes.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds discusses the book "Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music"by Chancellor Gregory Alan Thornbury of the King's College.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds talks about determining what books are most helpful for Christian education.

Professor David Frost continues his exploration in the field of ethics and tries to find an answer to the question, "How do we discover and apply a Christian standard?"

Professor David Frost, the Principal of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, speaks about "Christian and other ways of deciding what is right" in this first of two lectures on ethics.

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

Professor David Frost, the Principal of the Institute, explores the theme of Christianity and violence.

The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies was proud to host a talk by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk on the topic of "Christian Ecumenism: Does It Have A Future?" The event was presented together with the Divinity Faculty of The University of Cambridge and the Cambridge Theological Federation on Friday, February 16, 2015. Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) is Chairman of the Department for External Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, a permanent member of the Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and a Member of the Central and Executive Committees of the World Council of Churches.

Professor David Frost, Principal of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, discusses the ethics of Christians and work.

Books and seminars abound on the topic of time management but Dr. Rossi says as Christians we need to look at time management in a different way.

Dr. Albert Rossi interviews the Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel, the new Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America. Fr. Alexander recently gave a homily in the chapel of St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary on the topic of the paschal light of Christ at work in risen Christians.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on a conversation he had following the Nativity divine services on how we can make Christianity really real in our lives.

Dr. Rossi reflects on what Jesus means when he says that his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Fr. John Parker, Chair of the Dept of Evangelization of the Orthodox Church in America, comments on an Op Ed piece in the New York Times about Russia and the Olympics. An edited version of Fr. John's comments can be found in the The Post and Courier.

Fr. Lawrence Farley reminds us that while looking at the nature of evil under a philosophic microscope is okay, far more important is the knowledge of how to avoid being involved in it.

According to Fr. Lawrence Farley, if the Muslim has no real exposure to or understanding of the Christian message, he might still be spared on the last day if his heart was in ignorance seeking the true God.

Will everyone be saved in the end? Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the Scriptures, the Fathers, and even Christ Himself all say no.

Fr. Philip LeMasters argues that it is time for Orthodox Christians to be realistic and not panic about life in an increasingly post-Christian culture.

Dn. Michael Hyatt is the chair of the Ancient Faith Ministries board and a Deacon at St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church in Franklin, TN. Most people know him as one of the top leadership mentors in the country and the Founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, an online leadership development company dedicated to helping high achievers win at work and succeed at life. In this commentary (which is actually a sermon given at St. Ignatius), Dn. Michael assesses the impact of social media on people in general and Christians in particular. Be looking for the return of his Ancient Faith Radio podcast At the Intersection of East and West in September!

Dan Bein, the most recent Media Student Leader of Orthodox Christian Fellowship and a Coptic Christian, comments on the recent bus shooting of the Coptic Christians in Egypt who refused to renounce their faith at gunpoint.

The world watched in disbelief as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. But why should it matter? Fr. Andrew Damick has an answer.

Examining a passage from the anonymous second-century Epistle to Diognetus, Archimandrite Irenei explores the witness borne by the early Christian community and asks: does it reflect our Christian testimony today?

Can one call oneself a Christian without love? And what is the nature of the love we are called to show our neighbors? In this week's episode, Fr Matthew examines four patristic passages on love, and asks the question: What is it about Christian love that makes it unique in the world?

Can one call oneself a Christian without love? And what is the nature of the love we are called to show our neighbors? In this week’s episode, Archimandrite Irenei examines four patristic passages on love, and asks the question: What is it about Christian love that makes it unique in the world?

Fr. Eugen Pentiuc examines the use of metaphor and the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder.

Fadi Toma, the Syrian Coordinator for Amnesty International Canada, speaks at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Winnipeg, Canada. The event is sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Fellowship group at the University of Manitoba.

Noted brain surgeon and Coptic Orthodox Christian Dr. Ramsis Ghaly is interviewed by Ancient Faith Radio's Steve Bynum.

Noted brain surgeon and Coptic Orthodox Christian Dr. Ramsis Ghaly is interviewed by Ancient Faith Radio's Steve Bynum.

Noted brain surgeon and Coptic Orthodox Christian Dr. Ramsis Ghaly is interviewed by Ancient Faith Radio's Steve Bynum.

Bobby Maddex interviews Chaplain Patrick Tutella, the executive director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), about OCPM's 2009 Convocation (July 28-30), the purpose of which is to bring together the many Orthodox clergy and laity from throughout North America who are practicing prison ministry or who are interested in practicing prison ministry.

Ancient Faith Radio presents part one of a speech delivered by Professor Alfred Siewers at St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. The title of the presentation is "Christianity and Ecology: Lessons on Sustainability from the Early Irish Sea."

Ancient Faith Radio presents part two of a speech delivered by Professor Alfred Siewers at St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. The title of the presentation is "Christianity and Ecology: Lessons on Sustainability from the Early Irish Sea."

Bobby Maddex interviews Gerald Largent, the executive director of St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach, a relatively new pan-Orthodox ministry geared toward those living in nursing and/or group homes.

Bobby Maddex interviews Thomas Ruthford, author of Heaven Help the Single Christian: Your (Practical) Guide to Navigating Church as You Search for a Godly Mate, published by Regina Orthodox Press.