Ancient Faith Radio is pleased to present one-off commentaries on pressing issues and current events by Orthodox clergy and laymen.
Fr. Philip LeMasters reads an essay he wrote for Jacob's Well, the official magazine of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (OCA). "What is the border between Christ's Kingdom and the kingdoms of the world? The Savior said clearly that His Kingdom “is not of this world,” but the world is where we have to live out our lives as His followers. Throughout the Divine Liturgy, we pray for the salvation of all, peace for the world, and the wellbeing of our civil authorities and armed forces. To do this with integrity, we must discern how to deal with political and social matters in ways that not only convey the transcendence of the Kingdom, but also show how God's will can be done, albeit imperfectly and partially, here on earth. The border between these realms is real, but not impermeable." Read the essay at https://issuu.com/jacobswell/docs/jacob_s_well_spring_2021_final/s/12860328.
Fr. Barnabas Powell - Part 4 of a 4 part series
On line discussions about using the common spoon or multiple spoons for the Eucharist during the pandemic has prompted this commentary by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou. Dr. Constantinou has been teaching Biblical Studies and Early Christianity at the University of San Diego since 2002. Previously she taught New Testament at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology from 1998-1999. She has led bible studies, taught and lectured on the Bible and Orthodoxy at parishes, conferences, retreats and seminars for over thirty years. Her Search the Scriptures Live podcast is a popular feature on Ancient Faith Radio.
Fr. Andrew Damick says stay home but don't stay idle.
In her March 14, 2020 blog post, Elissa Bjeletich reflects on this year's Great Lent in light of the COVID-19 virus. Did this virus make for a bad Lent or "a tangible opportunity to curtail our own will in service to others and to learn to rely on God rather than on the material comforts we take for granted"?
Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick posts a picture of the incorrupt hand of St. Katherine of Alexandria every year on Facebook. And every year, people freak out. But why?
Nic Hartmann, a parishioner at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, reminds us that God sometimes wills that we lead a life seeking our salvation through the world.
The world watched in disbelief as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. But why should it matter? Fr. Andrew Damick has an answer.
Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick shares his thoughts on the controversial situation of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Are we looking at the situation through worldly eyes or through spiritual eyes?
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!
Fr. Philip LeMasters discusses the sexualized culture of Hollywood.
Fr. Philip reflects on the Eucharistic context of the pastoral response to contemporary challenges in marriage, family, and sexuality.
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.
In light of the tragic and senseless attack at a concert in Manchester, Fr. Gregory Hallam offers this commentary. Fr. Gregory is priest at St. Aidan's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Manchester, UK.
Fr. Steven Ritter, the host of the AFR podcast, The Life of the Church Today, offers his perspective on the upcoming United States election.
Fr. Philip LeMasters, a professor of religion at McMurry University and the host of the AFR podcast Eastern Christian Insights, discusses how Orthodox Christians should approach politics.
Wesley J. Smith, the host of Human Exceptionalism, details the life and miracles of St. John Maximovitch, his patron saint.
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.
Fr. Philip LeMasters contends that the biological complementarity of males and females provides an important clue to the personal identity of human beings.
Fr. Lawrence Farley explains that Christ is the jubilee of the whole world and his Resurrection is the trumpet which announces it.
Fr. Lawrence Farley investigates the identity of the woman who anointed Christ's feet before his trial and crucifixion.
Fr. Lawrence Farley examines the question of whether or not the youthful function of liturgical assistance in the altar should be extended to girls as well as boys.
Fr. Lawrence Farley identifies three rules that children should follow to avoid being harmed by the pornography pandemic.
Fr. Lawrence Farley addresses how the reigning theological liberalism of many Protestant traditions is the elephant in the room when it comes to ecumenical discussions regarding re-Baptism into the Orthodox Church.
Fr. Lawrence Farley addresses the unpopularity of the concept of Church dogma.
Fr. Philip LeMasters shares what he has learned over the last 25 years of teaching Protestants about saints and icons.
What should Orthodox Christians think about a fixed date for Pascha? Fr. Lawrence Farley shares his opinion.
Did Jesus really call a Gentile woman a dog? Fr. Lawrence Farley sets the story straight.
Fr. Lawrence Farley uses the Scriptures to describe what awaits us in the world to come.
Will everyone be saved in the end? Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the Scriptures, the Fathers, and even Christ Himself all say no.
To fully appreciate St. John the Forerunner, says Fr. Lawrence Farley, we need to place him in his historical context and to realize that he came to Israel as a thunderstorm at the end of a long drought.
In order to understand our Muslim neighbors and make sense of the world today, says Fr. Lawrence Farley, we need to distinguish between Mohammed's practice, the history of Islamic expansion, the practice of Muslims throughout the Islamic empire, liberal Muslims today, and Islamists.
Fr. Lawrence Farley contends that a comparison between Santa Claus and St. Nicholas illustrates well the difference between worldly and Christian cultures, and we are called to live in the latter for all twelve months of the year.
Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the popularity of destination weddings is symptomatic of a more profound cultural dysfunction—namely, the modern preoccupation with self.
Our culture continues along its escalating trajectory of militant anti-Christian sentiment. Life in such an unwelcoming environment will be good for us, says Fr. Lawrence Farley, for persection has always had a purifying effect upon the Church.
Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that the traditional Christian Church should not heed impassioned demands that it shut up and say nothing when its central teachings are trampled, denied, and distorted.
Every age has its own errors, says Fr. Lawrence Farley, and in every age, therefore, the Church faces a different set of challenges, distortions, and lies. Today voices are raised calling for the landmarks regarding the nature of gender and sexuality to be moved.
Fr. Philip LeMasters presents an Orthodox Christian argument against physician-assisted suicide.
Fr. Lawrence Farley shares his concern that if the cultural values express by the wearing of the Muslim niqab take root in Canadian society, something important will be lost—namely, the greater importance of individuality and personhood over gender.
Fr. Philip LeMasters responds to a review on National Public Radio of the new film Straight Outta Compton. "If we will cheat, abuse, or simply use others sexually, we will take a long step down a path toward forms of corruption that we do not control well at all."
Fr. Philip LeMasters argues that it has always been a component of Orthodox teaching that the uniquely life-giving union of man and woman is unspeakably holy and a sign of the relationship between Christ and the Church.
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.
Fr. Lawrence Farley warns us that we can neither demonize the world nor accept all that it offers.
Fr. Philip LeMasters reminds us that just as God enables martyrs to remain steadfast and even rejoice in their sufferings, he strengthened those grieving family members in Charleston to respond with grace, peace, and reconciliation that are simply not of this world.
Fr. Lawrence Farley argues that we are increasingly living in a world which is eroding the concept of a transcendent standard and normalcy.
Fr. Lawrence Farley comments on the hymn that the three youths ostensibly sang in the fiery furnace.
Fr. Philip LeMasters argues that when it comes to the Ascension, we should recognize that what we have to offer the world is our witness that the crucified, risen, and ascended Lord has brought us into the eternal life that he shares with his Father and the Holy Spirit.
Our contemporary culture forms many people who cannot imagine any purpose higher in life than the pursuit of self-centered pleasure on their own terms. Fr. Philip LeMasters explains that on the Sunday of All Saints, the Church reminds us that we are called to follow a very different and much better path.
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