Simply Orthodox

(Due to his heavy work load, Dr. Nassif is suspending his podcast, with our gratitude for all his effort and insights.) In this closing rebroadcast, St. Symeon the New Theologian speaks of the need for justice, mercy and faithfulness to God.

This encore presentation is a strong call to keep the Gospel clear and central to all that we do in Orthodox life and liturgy.

In this rebroadcast, Dr. Nassif discusses three important lessons we learn from the Russian novel, "The Way Of The Pilgrim".

In this rebroadcast from our files, Dr. Nassif introduces us to the life and ministry of the late theologian Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983), who tirelessly worked for theological renewal in the Orthodox Church in America and around the world.

Dr. Vrame is the Director of Christian Education at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in New York. In this last interview from the OTS conference, Dr. Nassif asks Dr. Vrame about his vision for Christian education in the Orthodox Church. He also explores the nature of the parish as a context for Christian education. Special attention is given to the question of how "converts and their children" learn the faith. Dr. Vrame also discusses exciting new programs coming out in the Greek Archdiocese this fall. If you are a pastor, a parent, a Christian educator or Church School teacher, this podcast will widen your perspective on all the help that is available for you from the Greek Archdiocese today.

Dr. Nassif introduces you to Sister Nonna Harrison, an Orthodox nun and professor at St. Paul's School of Theology in Kansas City, MO where she teaches Orthodox studies to Methodist seminarians. Listen to how she teaches the Methodists, and what the Methodists have taught her! She also discusses her work as a scholar and author, and the books she has published with St. Vladimir's Press. If you'd like Sr. Nonna to speak at your Church, contact Dr. Nassif through email and he will forward your inquiry to her.

For the next few podcasts Dr. Nassif will be interviewing three people who participated in the annual meeting of the Orthodox Theological Society that recently met in Chicago. On today's broadcast, he interviews Matthew Namee, a young historian. This is one young man whom Dr. Nassif believes holds great promise as a future lay leader in our Church. You'll enjoy getting to know Matthew as you learn about the vision the Lord has given him for his work in the American Church. (11:49)

Are you tired of trying to live the Christian life? Do you feel like giving up because you just can't find the strength to do what Jesus has asked you to do? Then this week's liturgical lesson is for you. An important part of the answer can be found in this brief podcast today.

On first impression, it seems strange that the Church would celebrate the first Ecumenical Council during the post-resurrection season. What does the condemnation of Arianism have to do with the proclamation of the Resurrection? The answer lies in the Church's missionary message: "Go therefore and preach the gospel to all nations!" Evangelism lies at the heart of the Nicene Creed. This is a good reminder for converts who may be tempted to minimize the gospel in the wake of their new-found Orthodoxy."

This week marks the end of the post-paschal liturgies. As with the previous five Sundays, this one focuses on the power of the risen Lord to heal our bodies and souls. Dr. Nassif shares a personal experience of his work as a paraprofessional for severely handicapped children. One little girl named Becky made an unforgettable impression on him that goes right to the heart of the story of the blind man. Is God allowing you to suffer for some reason? There's good news on this podcast: Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world! He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

The evangelistic message of the Samaritan woman has an important message for Christians and it is this: It is possible to go to Church all your life and still not know God. We can be surrounded by a sea of Christian truth and still die because we really did not drink from the well of eternal life which is found in Jesus Christ. This podcast speaks to those who are like the Samaritan woman who was "religious, but lost.

This week the Church focuses our attention on the healing of three people by Jesus Christ. The point of these mighty deeds is to spotlight the power of Christ to forgive sins, heal the sick and raise the dead. Why? So that we might entrust our lives to the living Lord! This podcast will show you why Jesus wants us to keep our eyes fastened on the gospel, and the good things that come to those who do.

Once again, the Church puts the spotlight on the gospel of Jesus Christ, this time through the story of the women who first witnessed the empty tomb. Dr. Nassif shows how the greatest proof of the resurrection of Christ is not to be found in apologetic arguments, but in the transformed lives of these women. That fact has induced more conversions to Christ than all the evidences for the resurrection combined. This message is for you, and especially your children.

In this follow-up podcast, Dr. Nassif offers insights into the meaning of the resurrection for our everyday lives. Following St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, he reminds us that the gospel must always be of "first importance" in all we do as Christians. "Christ is Risen!" must always be the very core of everything we do in life and liturgy. That is one reason why the Sunday of St. Thomas offers us this lesson: We must not only confess the Orthodox faith; we must also personally entrust our lives to Jesus Christ as our Lord and our God!

From Pascha to Pentecost, Orthodox Christians greet each other with the words "Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!" What do those words mean? Dr. Nassif identifies three timeless truths about the Resurrection of Christ: 1. Christ is forever alive 2. Christ conquered death 3. Christ will be the Judge of the living and the dead. Listen to what these three truths mean in the teaching of the New Testament. Next week, he will apply them to our everyday lives.

Holy Week and the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- Dr. Nassif takes us on a brief stroll through Holy Week as he keeps our eyes focused on the single, most important message of the Eastern Orthodox Church: The saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

At its core, anger is a dark and cruel wish for harm to come upon the person who hurt you. The Desert Fathers had at least three strategies for conquering anger: 1) don't be surprised when anger enters your soul, 2) deal with it quickly, and 3) die to your ego. A humorous story taken from the life of St. Makarios of Egypt illumines the way to an anger-free life.

The 'noonday demon' was the monk's greatest of all temptations! And it may be yours as well, especially if you're a clergyman. All Christians, ordained and lay, will want to know what that 'noonday demon' is, and how the gospel conquors it. (8:22)

What keeps us from obeying Jesus? As Orthodox, we're inclined to think that since our theological bank account is full, that is all we need. But the monks had a different perspective. For them love, not knowledge, was the key to the spiritual life. Our lives are small because our wills are big! Listen to wisdom from the sayings of the desert Fathers to encourage you on during this Lenten season. (13:10)

How Not to Fast During Great Lent. How are we to interpret some of the Church's liturgical guidelines during Great Lent? What's so special about not eating fish, meat, cheese, oil, wine and so on? Are these foods "unclean"? Is there something special about these foods but not others? In this podcast, Dr. Nassif interprets the meaning of these foods in light of the " big picture" of what Lent is supposed to be all about: Love for God, and love for neighbor. Listen to this penetrating evaluation of some of the ways we go about our lenten fast.

What's the difference between true humility and false humility, as the desert Fathers saw it? Today we refer to ourselves as "The Most Unworthy Servant of Christ." But some of the desert Fathers would have identified such language as an example of counterfeit humility. True humility doesn't call attention to our unworthiness, but to God's greatness. It functions as a powerful influence in the lives of others, not ourselves. In one of the Saying of the Desert Fathers, we're told that St. John the Dwarf was so humble that he had his entire community "hanging from his little finger!" Hear why this was so.

Detachment was the first step to the monks’ renunciation of their possessions and flight to the desert.  The Fathers knew that by accumulating lots of things in the cell, one could have a rather pleasant and comfortable life.  So even little things had to go! By application, we city dwellers can own our possessions so long as our possessions do not own us!  More than that, sometimes even our personal reputations have to be put on the line for the gospel.  Listen to how the desert Fathers show us what to do with our possessions and how to regard ourselves before God and others.

The desert Fathers post three Wrong Way signs on the road to Christian living. The signs keep us from believing that (1) the body is evil, (2) fasting, prayer and other spiritual practices are "ends in themselves" and (3) we can "earn" our way to heaven by doing good works! This podcast will keep us on a spiritually safe road if we obey the Wrong Way signs God has posted for our protection.

Get Ready for Battle! In this podcast Professor Nassif asks the monks "What's the right way, and the wrong way, to fight against the world, the flesh and the devil?" The desert Fathers teach us that before we get into this spiritual arena, we should expect discomfort, and that the true meaning of perfection in the Christian life does not look for "flawlessness" but "change." The monks counsel us on how to prepare our hearts before engaging in the hard work of holiness.

What's the problem? What gets in the way of our goal to loving God and others? One monk, Evagrius, tells us "the passions" are our problem. Dr. Nassif explains what "the passions" are and how to fight them. He explains the lifelong battle between "the flesh" versus "the Spirit." If you're a monk, or a city-dweller, this podcast will map out the terrain of our spiritual warfare and show you the way to victory through our baptismal beginnings in Christ.

There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to developing intimacy with God, such as Bible study and prayer. Rather, the monks teach us a variety of new ways of relating to God that meet our needs in deep and lasting ways. In this podcast, Dr. Nassif talks about "the journey" of applying spiritual practices taken from the lives of the desert Fathers.

What is the goal of the monastic life? Why all that fasting, prayer, silence, meditation and so forth? What's behind it all? Dr. Nassif looks for the answer in a most unexpected place: The inner life of the Holy Trinity! He shares how "love" is the goal of the monastic life-- Love for God and love for neighbor.

Pachomius: A Man of Scripture and Humility. Dr. Nassif explores the biography of St. Pachomius, the founder of communal monasticism. Important insights are shared on a central goal of Christian parenting, and the true nature of Church leadership. Parents and Church leaders will grow from the life of this great desert Father!

Who were some of the great personalities of the desert? Is there anything we city dwellers can apply from their lives? Today we begin by looking at the greatest of all monks -- a common man of uncommon holiness -- St. Anthony of Egypt.

The lives of the desert Fathers are filled with miraculous stories. Some go beyond "normal" miracles; other stories tell of fascinating and highly imaginative encounters between monks and wild animals. But are these miracles and stories fact or fiction? Dr. Nassif offers theological wisdom in assessing what CS Lewis called "The Fact of Myth". This podcast will keep you both honest and holy!

Why the desert...? Dr. Nassif discusses the lure of the desert and what its landscapes taught the monks -- and us today!"

What caused the monastic movement to arise in such dramatic ways in the life of the Orthodox Church? Dr. Nassif explains the historical and spiritual motivations behind the greatest renewal movement in the history of Orthodoxy. Get your camels ready for a fascinating journey into the heart of the desert!

Dr. Nassif begins a series of talks titled Desert Spirituality for City Folks.  He surveys opposing views on the legitimacy of the monastic life, then shows how central the monastic tradition has been to the Orthodox Church, and why it is important for us today.  This series is an abbreviated selection of just a few of the talks he gives on Orthodox spirituality throughout our Churches in North America and Canada.

Dr. Nassif goes to San Diego to take listeners down the aisle of the premier academic guild called the Society of Biblical Literature. He introduces you to the work of the organization, what Orthodox scholars are doing there, and how we might respond to the challenge of religious diversity today.

Dr. Nassif speaks to the monks of the Church -- and to all of us -- about the nature of the monastic life and the influence of the monks upon the Church.

Dr. Nassif discusses the role of the Bible in the work of St. John Chrysostom. Priests, teachers and parents will not want to miss this important podcast!

In a two-part series, Dr. Nassif introduces us to the life and teachings of St. John Chrysostom -- the greatest bishop who ever lived! In this podcast, he shows us how he became such a revered figure in our Church.

Dr. Nassif offers a theological reflection on how the Orthodox can best witness to evangelicals—and to the Orthodox!

Are we more concerned with obeying liturgical rules than with having a heart filled with justice, mercy and faithfulness to God? St. Symeon the New Theologian speaks!

Dr. Nassif discusses three important lessons we learn from the the Russian novel "The Way of a Pilgrim." In addition to the prayer from that novel, known as the Jesus Prayer, he talks about other types of short prayers and their value to us as a means to our spiritual growth.

Dr. Nassif introduces us to the life and ministry of the late theologian Fr. Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983), who tirelessly worked for theological renewal in the Orthodox Church in America and around the world.

Part Two of a two-part interview with Dr. Scot McKnight of North Park University. Atonement is not abstract theory, but rather it is our being drawn into the life of Christ. All of us are icons (images) of God, broken, but being restored back to our original shape, which is Christ Himself.

Part One of a two-part interview with Dr. Scot McKnight from North Park University in Chicago. In part one, Drs. Nassif and McKnight discuss daily religious recitations in Jesus' day and in our lives today.

Dr. Nassif looks at the relationship between scholarship about Christ and our personal experience of His Resurrection.

We must never lose sight of the simplicity of the Gospel, and its far-reaching consequences for everyday life.

A correct Christian world view allows us to see ourselves as we really are, to see others as they really are, and to see God as He really is.

All of us are theologians, and in being so, our Christian life is enriched.

In his inaugural episode, Dr. Nassif lays out his plans for his new podcast.