Glory to God

We rarely think of God as meek. Instead, we picture Him as mighty, powerful, and overwhelming. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at a number of clear indications in Scripture concerning what we know of God through the revelation of Christ. God is meek.

Ever wonder what the phrase, “the Divine Energies,” means? Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at its inner depths and its constant place in our lives. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His mercy endures forever!

Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some honest thoughts on the sacrament of marriage and its importance in our culture.

Fr. Stephen Freeman describes a reading project, comparing the writings of Richard Leigh Fermor (1933), to those of Nick Hunt (2011) as they made walks across Europe. Fermor's descriptions belong to a world that has disappeared, while those of Hunt seem thin and attenuated. They point towards much deeper realities of our modern world.

Fr. Stephen Freeman offers thoughts on the virtue of contentment and its place in the spiritual life.

Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some thoughts on one of the more common Morning Prayers for the Orthodox, in which we pray, “O Lord, Save me whether I want it or not.” It is a hopeful meditation.

Fr. Stephen Freeman examines in some depth why success and progress are not the right measures of the spiritual life.

The Orthodox understanding of the spiritual life is unlike most things that we think about in our culture. There is not a "technique" that produces "results." Instead, it is a way of life. Fr. Stephen Freeman explores this understanding.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the role of knowledge in our Orthodox faith, including the importance of what we do not know.

Across all human cultures, there is a drive to clothe ourselves, to decorate ourselves, far beyond any concern for mere warmth and protection. Fr. Stephen Freeman examines this cultural drive from a theological perspective. It sheds light on the deepest part of our life and illumines our relationship with Christ.

In the liturgy we pray that we have a "Christian ending to our life: painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ." Father Stephen Freeman looks carefully at the true nature of that judgment seat. It might surprise you.

Fr. Stephen Freeman describes some of the problems that arise when our morality is a "mere morality," marked only by our outward behavior rather than inward healing and transformation.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the notion of "allegory" as it is used in the New Testament and in the Orthodox worldview. He also considers the true nature of "literalism" and how we should understand it.

Fr. Stephen Freeman offers thoughts on the place of the heart during our nation's struggles. Along with the example of St. John Chrysostom, he points us toward the role our own shame plays in the turmoil of our lives. There is a better way.

In these two podcasts, Fr. Stephen Freeman describes the theme of deliverance from chaos that is found buried in Old Testament texts and how it continues in the New. It is an important way of understanding Christ's teaching of the gospel.

In these two podcasts, Fr. Stephen Freeman describes the theme of deliverance from chaos that is found buried in Old Testament texts and how it continues in the New. It is an important way of understanding Christ's teaching of the gospel.

We often imagine that kings and generals and great battles are the turning points of history. Fr. Stephen Freeman points us towards much smaller things and tells us why.

On Star Trek, the guys wearing the Red Shirts are expendable. Fr. Stephen Freeman tells us there's a lot to think about in that.

JRR Tolkien had a number of critiques aimed at the abuses of our modern age. That same understanding can be seen in his fiction. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the Ring of Power and the mythology of our modern world and draws lessons that every good hobbit should know.

Have you ever felt haunted by the past or trapped by things you could not change? Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at how history actually works in light of the Kingdom of God. This is truly good news!

Father Stephen Freeman tells us that the spiritual struggle in our life is not one of moral progress, forcing ourselves to behave better and better. Rather, it is the struggle to enter the depths of our lives and confront the truth - in the presence of Christ.

The clothing we wear, often with slogans and such, and other outward markings in our lives reflect a deeper spiritual need. The Scriptures speak of being "clothed with Christ." Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at this in terms of covering our shame, and our growth in the image of Christ.

Much of what we mean when we say "normal" is nothing of the sort. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the clash of worldviews that surrounds us in our present day.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the end of time and how it is thought about in Orthodox theology. It is profoundly important in our every day life.

There is a distinction between our personality and what it means to be person. Fr. Stephen Freeman explains this in terms of the soul and offers very helpful thoughts on what awaits us in heaven.

Why do the Scriptures speak so frequently about the soul? Is it the same as my personality? Fr. Stephen Freeman speaks about the meaning of soul and its importance in a psychologized society.

Fr. Stephen Freeman reflects on the thoughts of Thomas Hopko, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, and GK Chesterton, all of whom speak of the value of smaller and more local things. He examines this within Orthodox thought as well.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the "burden" created by the emotional and spiritual debts of things that others have done to us and how they can be forgiven.

Fr. Stephen Freeman discusses the right relationship between the mind and the body. You might be surprised.

Fr. Stephen Freeman speaks from his own experience about depression, anxiety, and a 40-year battle with panic attacks. He sets these within the wisdom of the tradition and offers a way of understanding as well as some helpful ways of moving forward.

When we give thanks to God, particularly in difficult times, Fr. Stephen Freeman tells us we unite ourselves with the Cross of Christ.

Elder Zacharias of Essex says that the "way of shame is the way of the Lord." Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at how our weakness is, in fact, the path of our salvation.

Just how connected are we? Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the classical understanding of human connectedness and what it means for our salvation.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the story of Abraham and the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah as a means of understanding our prayers for the world.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the meaning of Worship, as understood in the Scriptures and the Tradition, connecting it with the sacrifices offered in the Old Testament, and Christ's sacrifice on the Cross in the New.

Community is rooted in a mutual need, and so depends on our weakness. Fr. Stephen Freeman tells us that this is God's intention for the Church.

The heart of loneliness is broken communion. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the roots of this rupture and its experience as shame.

The truth of words is much deeper than the "facts" they may represent. A true word is found in the heart of God, and in our hearts when we dwell in God.

From ancient Rome to the present, public shaming has been a means of controlled violence. What is the Christian place in all of this?

Much of the "baggage" we carry in our lives is something into which we were born. Understanding this and God's place in healing it is the subject of this talk by Fr. Stephen Freeman.

Reflecting on his many podcasts and articles on shame, Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at its place in the soul.

We tend to think of shame only in negative terms. However, there is such a thing as "healthy shame." It plays an essential role in awe and wonder and in the giving of thanks. Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some thoughts on this important aspect of our inner life.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the unique Gift that God gives us in Christ's Pascha: the revelation of our true self.

Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some insight on dealing with the dark thoughts that often fill our minds.

The negative voice we hear in our head. Who is it that is talking? What does it mean? Where does it come from? Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some reflection on this noise.

Fr. Stephen Freeman reflects on Rod Dreher's book, The Benedict Option. He suggests that the virtues that shape our lives are largely formed in their context. How do we shape the parish for acquiring Christian virtues?

Fr. Stephen Freeman speaks about the the goodness of creation and the place that suffering holds within it - including a form of suffering that is not evil.

Fr. Stephen Freeman muses on the nature of English in our worship life, especially some of its problems. He points towards something beyond the words.

Fr. Stephen Freeman tells us that the culture we live in teaches us to want "good service," to expect things to suit our desires. To serve God, however, requires something very different. Acceptance and thanksgiving are key components of the spiritual life.

Father Stephen Freeman argues that the near-unchanging shape of the Liturgy is part of the "givenness" of our lives. Like many other things in the Orthodox faith, it imparts a stability. Learning to embrace this is important.

Fr. Stephen Freeman describes the "conciliar" nature of God's actions and our response to Him in our lives. God delights in sharing His work with us.