Podcast appearances and mentions of frederica mathewes green

Frederica Mathewes-Green and Dave Hanegraaff unpack why the most important word in A Commitment to Reality is commitment—because reality doesn't disappear when we deny it. This clip gets at why a commitment to shared reality matters.We are living through one of the most disorienting periods in human history—leaving many to wonder: What is reality? As artificial intelligence accelerates and institutional trust erodes, our shared sense of what is real continues to crumble.A commitment to reality is a dedication to discerning what is true and developing the discipline to live in alignment with that truth—with reality. This podcast is an apologetic for reality—each episode serving as an intentional act of grounding our existence together as we commit to what is beautiful, good, and true.  You can help spread the word about this new podcast by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on and telling others!Subscribe to A Commitment to Reality on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ACommitmenttoReality for the full episodes + clips, as well as Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-commitment-to-reality/id1876254826 , Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/378rR6Oz8YkbTOIqSfhlV3 and follow wherever you get podcasts.  You can help spread the word about this new podcast by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on and telling others!

Frederica Mathewes-Green explains how TV and the internet are engineered for outrage—training us to argue instead of understand.This clip comes from A Commitment to Reality.We are living through one of the most disorienting periods in human history—leaving many to wonder: What is reality? As artificial intelligence accelerates and institutional trust erodes, our shared sense of what is real continues to crumble.A commitment to reality is a dedication to discerning what is true and developing the discipline to live in alignment with that truth—with reality. This podcast is an apologetic for reality—each episode serving as an intentional act of grounding our existence together as we commit to what is beautiful, good, and true.You can help spread the word about this new podcast by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on and telling others!Subscribe to A Commitment to Reality on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ACommitmenttoReality for the full episodes + clips, as well as Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-commitment-to-reality/id1876254826 , Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/378rR6Oz8YkbTOIqSfhlV3 and follow wherever you get podcasts.  You can help spread the word about this new podcast by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on and telling others!

Discover this episode on YouTube:Today we have a most special guest - Frederica Mathewes-Green. A guest who embodies love and joy in equal measure. She is an author of over a dozen books and articles as well as providing film reviews for National Review Online. She is also well known for her speaking engagements across the US and, to our great pleasure, will be speaking at the Art of the Tamada event in Greenville, SC in October (link below). Discover more of Khouria Frederica here: https://www.holycrossonline.org/khouria-frederica-mathewews-green Art of the Tamada at Keipi, Greenville: https://first-things.org/aot-greenville ✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf

This is the first in a series of episodes featuring Orthodox Christian scholar Frederica Matthewes-Green.Frederica has a number of resources available that have been very helpful for me in my inquiry into, and eventual baptism into the Orthodox Church. In fact, Frederica's book, Two Views of the Cross was very influential in my own introduction to the Orthodox Church, and the Orthodox views of Christianity.The life of Jesus and his death, his atonement, very different ways of thinking between the Orthodox and say, Roman Catholic or the Protestant views of Jesus's suffering and how it translates to our joy and our joy. Eternal Salvation.I think the initial agenda was to discuss her book Two Views of the Cross. And while we did get into the book eventually, we discussed quite a bit beforehand.And to be honest, it all blended quite honestly and pleasantly.I have one more interview that I did with Frederica that I'm going to publish shortly after I published this one, and that was more Overtly Orthodox. It was on the topic of Energeia, the Greek word that refers to divine energy.To give a bit of background on this interview: I was brand new to Orthodoxy when we recorded this. I was trying to get a completely different podcast off the ground. This particular podcast wasn't even a glimmer in my eye. So you might hear references to a completely different podcast, as well as a URL mentioned that is not necessarily relevant to this particular podcast.Nothing that is a game-changer, but I want to explain why you might hear some odd references to various things throughout.So enjoy it!In this discussion with Frederica, you'll discover:-Frederica describes her spiritual journey as a young person...06:35-Contrarian thinkers and actors often come from a place of deep-seated convictions and principles...10:30-How Frederica discovered her relationship with Jesus, and in due time Orthodoxy...14:02-"All of Western Christianity seems to have adopted the idea that the purpose of church is to comfort people"...19:18-The need for strong (but not dominant) men has never been more pressing than in modern culture...27:09-A shocking imbalance between how men and women are viewed in society...32:26Resources mentioned:Two Views of the Cross: Orthodoxy and the West by Frederica Mathewes-GreenMen and Marriage by George GilderAbout the guest, and how to connect:Frederica's website"I write and speak on a wide range of topics. In recent years I've concentrated on ancient Christian spirituality and the Eastern Orthodox faith, but the hundreds of Posts and Essays on this site include movie reviews, humor, marriage and family, cultural issues, and more. Essays can be browsed by date or category, or you can use the search box at the right.The most recent posts are below. Here's where you'll find my published Books.I travel to Speaking Engagements all year round; you can contact Cynthia Damaskos of the Orthodox Speakers Bureau if you'd like to bring me to an event. This

This episode, Part 2 in our series with Orthodox Christian scholar Frederica Mathewes-Green, discusses Augustine's concept of a 'god-shaped hole' in our hearts and explores the idea of 'energy' (energeia) in the New Testament. Our conversation delves into the challenges of translating biblical texts from Greek to Latin and Hebrew, the historical context of these translations, and how different translations can impact theological understanding. It also touches on the use of hyperbole and imagery in ancient Hebrew scripture and discusses why seminary students are required to learn Hebrew and Greek to gain a deeper understanding of the biblical worldview.Episode highlights:00:15 The God-Shaped Hole: Exploring Our Innate Desire for Worship00:45 The Concept of 'Energia' in the New Testament01:50 Translation Challenges: From Greek to Latin and Beyond04:15 The Impact of Language on Biblical Interpretation05:30 The Septuagint and the Evolution of the Hebrew Bible07:50 Controversies in Biblical Translations12:10 The Importance of Learning Biblical LanguagesResources mentioned:Two Views of the Cross: Orthodoxy and the West by Frederica Mathewes-GreenMen and Marriage by George GilderAbout the guest:Frederica's website"I write and speak on a wide range of topics. In recent years I've concentrated on ancient Christian spirituality and the Eastern Orthodox faith, but the hundreds of Posts and Essays on this site include movie reviews, humor, marriage and family, cultural issues, and more. Essays can be browsed by date or category, or you can use the search box at the right.The most recent posts are below. Here's where you'll find my published Books.I travel to Speaking Engagements all year round; you can contact Cynthia Damaskos of the Orthodox Speakers Bureau if you'd like to bring me to an event. This Calendar will let you know when I'm in your neighborhood.Audio: Here's where you'll find many of my commentaries for National Public Radio (NPR), though others have been filed away under many different creative misspellings of my name. I have recorded a podcast for Ancient Faith Radio since 2007.Video: For Beliefnet.com, I recorded brief videos on my conversion to Christ, the Christ of Sinai icon, the spiritual discipline of fasting,...

In this episode, host James Newcomb engages in a deep theological discussion with Orthodox Christian scholar Frederica Mathewes-Green covering various aspects of Christian theology. They delve into the differences between orthodox and Western Christian perspectives, particularly focusing on sin, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Frederica turns the tables on the host, asking James about his personal journey from Presbyterianism to Reformed theology and ultimately to Orthodoxy. James and Frederica also explore the stories and examples of saints, the interpretation of scriptures, and the contrasting images of the cross in Eastern and Western Christianity. The discussion is anchored by Frederica's book, 'Two Views of the Cross,' which contrasts critical theological views of Orthodoxy and Western Christianity.Episode highlights:00:00 Introduction: The Irony of Theological Studies01:02 Personal Journey: From Baptocostal to Reformed to Orthodox Christian01:36 A Quest for Stability03:14 The Reformation and Its Aftermath05:07 The Refrigerator Hermeneutic: Picking and Choosing Scripture07:07 John 6: The Challenge of Literal Interpretation08:10 The Story of St. Photini (the woman at the well)09:37 The Power of Stories in Faith10:46 Two Views of the Cross: A Book Discussion14:23 Orthodox vs. Western Christianity: Forgiveness and Sacrifice18:28 The Nature of Sin: Disease vs. Infraction24:03 The Harshness of Calvinism: A Tragic Misunderstanding27:59 The Importance of Forgiveness in Orthodoxy29:03 Conclusion: Reflecting on the DiscussionBook mentioned:Two Views of the Cross: Orthodoxy and the West by Frederica Mathewes-GreenAbout the guest:"I write and speak on a wide range of topics. In recent years I've concentrated on ancient Christian spirituality and the Eastern Orthodox faith, but the hundreds of Posts and Essays on this site include movie reviews, humor, marriage and family, cultural issues, and more. Essays can be browsed by date or category, or you can use the search box at the right.I travel to Speaking Engagements all year round; you can contact Cynthia Damaskos of the Orthodox Speakers Bureau if you'd like to bring me to an event. This Calendar will let you know when I'm in your neighborhood.You've been listening to Ba Vojdaan!, with James D. Newcomb. For more information about James, and to subscribe to the podcast, visit https://jamesdnewcomb.com. There you'll find a trove of materials available for immediate download. And be sure to follow James' travels and adventures on social media. All the info can be found at https://jamesdnewcomb.com. Thank you for listening!

Continuing our series of episodes featuring Orthodox Christian scholar Frederica Matthewes-Green, we discuss the significance of the Greek word 'Energeia' and its translation, the impact of translation decisions on Christian faith, and the contrast between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity. Frederica shares insights about divine energy, miracles, and the role of storytelling in modern faith. The conversation explores the historical and contemporary implications of biblical translation and the importance of recognizing divine presence in everyday life.Episode highlights:00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:31 Podcast Background and Topic Introduction01:51 Greek vs. Latin Translations of the Bible05:39 The Concept of Energeia07:06 Impact of Translation on Western Christianity21:34 Personal Reflections and CRAVE Acronym25:25 Miracles and Modern Faith35:00 Storytelling and Evangelism36:23 Cultural Reflections and ConclusionResources mentioned:Two Views of the Cross: Orthodoxy and the West by Frederica Mathewes-GreenAbout the guest:Frederica's website"I write and speak on a wide range of topics. In recent years I've concentrated on ancient Christian spirituality and the Eastern Orthodox faith, but the hundreds of Posts and Essays on this site include movie reviews, humor, marriage and family, cultural issues, and more. Essays can be browsed by date or category, or you can use the search box at the right.The most recent posts are below. Here's where you'll find my published Books.I travel to Speaking Engagements all year round; you can contact Cynthia Damaskos of the Orthodox Speakers Bureau if you'd like to bring me to an event. This Calendar will let you know when I'm in your neighborhood.Audio: Here's where you'll find many of my commentaries for National Public Radio (NPR), though others have been filed away under many different creative misspellings of my name. I have recorded a podcast for Ancient Faith Radio since 2007.Video: For Beliefnet.com, I recorded brief videos on my conversion to Christ, the Christ of Sinai icon, the spiritual discipline of fasting, and

In this episode, James and Frederica share personal accounts of miraculous events in their lives. James recounts two near-death experiences while driving, attributing his survival to divine intervention. We're joined by special guest Sana Dorry, who shares her own miraculous story in Bangkok, narrowly avoiding a deadly bus accident, and describes her involvement with the Rohingya community. The episode concludes with reflections on the nature of miracles and the importance of attracting people to the gospel through positive and uplifting stories.Episode highlights:00:17 James' Miraculous Journey from Missouri to Georgia02:10 Another Driving Miracle: Washington to Minnesota04:12 Sana's Miraculous Bus Incident in Bangkok10:29 Sana's Experiences with Rohingya Refugees13:32 Sana's Rescue of a Baby in Bangkok17:42 Conclusion and Reflections on MiraclesYou've been listening to Ba Vojdaan!, with James D. Newcomb. For more information about James, and to subscribe to the podcast, visit https://jamesdnewcomb.com. There you'll find a trove of materials available for immediate download. And be sure to follow James' travels and adventures on social media. All the info can be found at https://jamesdnewcomb.com. Thank you for listening!

A conglomeration of Advent people: Drew Collins on how the Magi were pushed willingly to the edge of their knowledge, open to the giving spirit of God. Frederica Mathewes-Green with an illustration of Mary, living in prayer, which proves just enough to know to say "yes" when met with her call. Jeff Reimer on W.H. Auden's common Joseph, asked only and profoundly to believe. And Matt Croasmun on St. Paul, offering an invitation to Christian joy that, well, differs from Santa's offer just a little.Show NotesEPISODE 44: The Reason We Follow the Star: Learning from the Magi How to Give, How to Receive, and How to Be Human / Drew CollinsEPISODE 98: Frederica Mathewes-Green / Mary Theotokos: Her Bright Sorrow, Her Suffering Faith, and Her CompassionEPISODE 97: Jeff Reimer / W.H. Auden's For the Time Being: Post-Christmas Blues, the Darkness of Modernity, and the Human Response to IncarnationEPISODE 43: Matt Croasmun / Santa, God, and the Obligation to RejoiceProduction NotesThis podcast featured art historian Matthew MillinerEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

 In this episode:Frederica Mathewes-Green joins the podcast to discuss the basics of Eastern Orthodox spiritual practicesthe life and work of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, one of the most important Orthodox theologians in the Westthe major differences in approach, focus, and emphasis between Eastern and Western prayer, doctrine, and political theologyTexts Mentioned:The Orthodox Church by Timothy WareThe Orthodox Way by Bishop Kallistos WareThe Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Prayer That Tunes the Heart to Godby Frederica Mathewes-GreenFr. Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father by Vera and Peter BouteneffThe DidacheTwo Views of the Cross by Frederica Mathewes-GreenBecome a part of ISI:Become a MemberSupport ISIUpcoming ISI Events

The U.S. Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 decision. In light of the Supreme Court ruling, we would like to present an encore presentation of Hank Hanegraaff's conversation with Frederica Mathewes-Green on how she went from being a fierce advocate for abortion to becoming a pro-life advocate. When Roe v. Wade was decided almost half a century ago, Frederica Mathewes-Green believed that the landmark decision didn't go far enough to ensure adequate abortion access for women. However, everything changed after she read an article titled “What I Saw at the Abortion” in a 1976 edition of the magazine Esquire that detailed the violent act against both woman and child that takes place when an abortion is performed. Simply put, there was no way that a peace-loving feminist could support this violence against both woman and child, and just like that she became a pro-life advocate. Frederica Mathewes-Green went on to become a pre-eminent voice for the lives of the unborn and—importantly—the mothers who carried these children. Almost everyone on both sides of the debate can agree on one thing—abortion is a miserable choice, as Frederica emphasized in Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion, “No woman wants an abortion as she wants an ice cream cone or a Porsche. She wants an abortion as an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.” Frederica joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss the state of abortion in America as well as what she has learned during the decades of her distinguished career encouraging dialogue between pro-choice and pro-life advocates. For more information, visit www.equip.org. Topics discussed include: What changed your mind about abortion? (5:00); is abortion a violent act against women? (8:30); abortion fatigue—people just don't want to talk about abortion (9:30); Roe v. Wade (11:00); snowflake children—when does life begin? (12:15); the importance of listening to the stories of women when discussing abortion (18:50); defending unborn children without making mothers the enemy (23:45); finding common ground—how can pro-choice and pro-life people better understand one another? (26:30); is public opinion changing on abortion? (30:25); most countries in the world have banned abortion after 12 weeks—making U.S. abortion policy one of the most liberal globally (33:20); “in the land where women kill their unborn children, every lesser love grows frail” (34:30); the extreme individualism of our culture (38:35); what would America look like without abortion? (40:30); what about adoption instead of abortion? (45:15); misconceptions about contraception (48:25); cheap sex—the devaluation of sex in a culture of free love (50:00); the difficulties of being a single parent and the benefits of a two-parent home (59:00); the war on adoption—why is adoption disparaged by abortion advocates? (1:02:40); what actually happens during an abortion procedure? (1:05:45); victims of unisex sexuality (1:12:10); the paradoxical aims of feminism (1:13:30); the problem with government welfare programs (1:18:15); the importance of a support system for mothers and children (1:20:00); the importance of listening to women's stories about abortion (1:21:30); the issue of abortion in the early church (1:27:15); how should we talk about abortion? (1:30:00); responding to common pro-choice claims about abortion (1:34:00); the impact of Frederica Mathewes-Green's book Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion (1:42:25).

Watch Part 1 Here: https://youtu.be/VcSkm3LDVw4COOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:Erwin Schrödinger's "What is Life?" — https://amzn.to/3vyRi1yJ. Mark & Elizabeth J. Barna's "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition" — https://amzn.to/3MJtuOAAs the Boomer population of America ages, questions about death & dying have come to the forefront of our cultural experience. From books like Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal" to L.S. Dugdale's "The Lost Art of Dying" to Mark & Elizabeth Barna's "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition," people are trying to reclaim the sacred and die peacefully and beautifully, often in the safety of their own homes. Join Dr. James Mohebali, a doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and an Orthodox Christian, as he speaks at the newly formed Holy Cross Orthodox Church Burial Society, the former parish of Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green and Frederica Mathewes-Green, in Baltimore, MD. He guides them through asking the deeper questions about death, dying, and end-of-life medical care, using the paradigm of Chinese Medicine, yin yang, the five elements, so that they can make their medical decisions with autonomy, and with rooting in their deep faith. On the way, Dr. James talks about the foundations of biomedicine in Charles Darwin, the survival of the fittest, evolution, and an alternative possibility in Erwin Schrodinger, the famous quantum physicist responsible for Schrodinger's cat, Other speakers include Fr. John Behr, former dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary, and John Heers, founder of First Things Foundation and host of "Why are We Talking About Rabbits?" podcast.

Watch Part 2 Here Next Week: https://youtu.be/dxz1fesg5MACOOL STUFF I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:Schrödinger's "What is Life?" — https://amzn.to/3vyRi1yJ. Mark & Elizabeth J. Barna's "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition" — https://amzn.to/3MJtuOAAs the Boomer population of America ages, questions about death and dying have come to the forefront of our cultural experience. From books like Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal" to L.S. Dugdale's "The Lost Art of Dying" to Mark & Elizabeth Barna's "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition," people are trying to reclaim the sacred and die peacefully and beautifully, often in the safety of their own homes. Join Dr. James Mohebali, a doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and an Orthodox Christian, as he speaks at the newly formed Holy Cross Orthodox Church Burial Society, the former parish of Fr. Gregory Mathewes-Green and Frederica Mathewes-Green, in Baltimore, MD. He guides them through asking the deeper questions about death, dying, and end-of-life medical care, using the paradigm of Chinese Medicine, yin yang, the five elements, so that they can make their medical decisions with autonomy, and with rooting in their deep faith. Other speakers include Fr. John Behr, former dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary, and John Heers, founder of First Things Foundation and host of "Why are We Talking About Rabbits?" podcast.

Frederica Mathewes-Green shares reflections about the Annunciation on the weekend of the Feast of the Holy Cross.

Frederica Mathewes-Green shares reflections about the Annunciation on the weekend of the Feast of the Holy Cross.

Frederica Mathewes-Green shares a few words about the meaning of love.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast, we present an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank's guest is Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion. Hank and Frederica discuss how Frederica became a pro-life advocate, how abortion is not only violence against the unborn child but also the woman, overcoming abortion fatigue, Frederica's view on Roe v. Wade in the '70s, the story of Elise, the debate around when a fertilized egg becomes human, and how Frederica put together her book Real Choices.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/21/22), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion. Hank and Frederica discuss the importance of a support system for mothers and children, the importance of listening to women's stories about abortion, the issue of abortion in the early church, how we should talk about abortion, and responding to common pro-choice claims about abortion.

When Roe v. Wade was decided almost half a century ago, Frederica Mathewes-Green believed that the landmark decision didn't go far enough to ensure adequate abortion access for women. However, everything changed after she read an article titled “What I Saw at the Abortion” in a 1976 edition of the magazine Esquire that detailed the violent act against both woman and child that takes place when an abortion is performed. Simply put, there was no way that a peace-loving feminist could support this violence against both woman and child and just like that she became a pro-life advocate. Frederica Mathewes-Green went on to become a pre-eminent voice for the lives of the unborn and—importantly—the mothers who carried these children. Almost everyone on both sides of the debate can agree on one thing—abortion is a miserable choice, as Frederica emphasized in Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion, “No woman wants an abortion as she wants an ice cream cone or a Porsche. She wants an abortion as an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.” Frederica joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss the state of abortion in America as well as what she has learned during the decades of her distinguished career encouraging dialogue between pro-choice and pro-life advocates. For further study, see Frederica Mathewes-Green, Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-real-choices-listening-to-women-looking-for-alternatives-to-abortion/ Topics discussed include: What changed your mind about abortion? (5:00); is abortion a violent act against women? (8:30); abortion fatigue—people just don't want to talk about abortion (9:30); Roe v. Wade (11:00); snowflake children—when does life begin? (12:15); the importance of listening to the stories of women when discussing abortion (18:50); defending unborn children without making mothers the enemy (23:45); finding common ground—how can pro-choice and pro-life people better understand one another? (26:30); is public opinion changing on abortion? (30:25); most countries in the world have banned abortion after 12 weeks—making US abortion policy one of the most liberal globally (33:20); “in the land where women kill their unborn children, every lesser love grows frail” (34:30); the extreme individualism of our culture (38:35); what would America look like without abortion? (40:30); what about adoption instead of abortion? (45:15); misconceptions about contraception (48:25); cheap sex—the devaluation of sex in a culture of free love (50:00); the difficulties of being a single parent and the benefits of a two-parent home (59:00); the war on adoption—why is adoption disparaged by abortion advocates? (1:02:40); what actually happens during an abortion procedure? (1:05:45); victims of unisex sexuality (1:12:10); the paradoxical aims of feminism (1:13:30); the problem with government welfare programs (1:18:15); the importance of a support system for mothers and children (1:20:00); the importance of listening to women's stories about abortion (1:21:30); the issue of abortion in the early church (1:27:15); how should we talk about abortion? (1:30:00); responding to common pro-choice claims about abortion (1:34:00); the impact of Frederica Mathewes-Green's book Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion (1:42:25). https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-real-choices-listening-to-women-looking-for-alternatives-to-abortion/Listen to Hank's podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/20/22), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion. Hank and Frederica discuss the benefits of a two-parent home, why adoption is disparaged by abortion advocates, what actually happens during an abortion procedure, victims of unisex sexuality, the paradoxical aims of feminism, the problem with government welfare programs, and the importance of a support system for mothers and children.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/19/22), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion. Hank and Frederica discuss what America would look like without abortion, adoption instead of abortion, misconceptions about contraception, the devaluation of sex in a culture of free love, and the benefits of a two-parent home.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/18/22), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion. Hank and Frederica discuss the importance of listening to the stories of women when discussing abortion, defending unborn children without making mothers the enemy, how pro-choice and pro-life people can better understand one another, if public opinion on abortion is changing, how U.S. abortion policy is one of the most liberal globally, and the extreme individualism of our culture.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/17/22), we present an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank's guest is Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion. Hank and Frederica discuss how Frederica became a pro-life advocate, how abortion is not only violence against the unborn child but also the woman, overcoming abortion fatigue, Frederica's view on Roe v. Wade in the '70s, the story of Elise, the debate around when a fertilized egg becomes human, and how Frederica put together her book Real Choices.

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, reflects on the tragic legacy of Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who argued the infamous abortion rights case Roe v. Wade before the United States Supreme Court in 1973—essentially legalizing abortion in the United States. Raised as a minister's daughter, Weddington passionately advanced abortion in America. The ends justifying the means, abortion leaders at the time encouraged the telling of the fabricated story of the rape of Norma McCorvey—a.k.a. Jane Roe. This kind of deception is often justified by a “larger truth”—and that larger truth, from the standpoint of Weddington, is that the painful killing of innocent human beings is a human right. The legalization of abortion has caused the deaths of untold numbers of unborn babies.For further study, see Frederica Mathewes-Green, Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion https://amzn.to/3HOnb9M

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores, in three parts, her experience as a beekeeper. She mispronounces “propolis” every time!

Frederica Mathewes-Green recounts an unusual and somber dream.

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores the ways the 22nd/23rd Psalm reflects a year of shepherding a sheep.

Frederica Mathewes-Green offers an analogy for the way prayer sometimes “clicks” and becomes a genuine connection with God.

Frederica Mathewes-Green defends pro-lifers' right to wear that name, and choose for themselves what causes to support.

Frederica Mathewes-Green reads the life of St. Mary of Egypt as found in her book First Fruits of Prayer.

Frederica Mathewes-Green presents a Romanian elder's take on the simple faith that is held by many Americans, and how God responds to it, and she also reports a prayer experience that conveyed the same idea.

Frederica Mathewes-Green reads the first essay she ever published, a secular, feminist presentation of the pro-life cause.

Frederica Mathewes-Green explains that traditions can be beneficial for a family or community, and that all churches have their own “tradition.”

Frederica Mathewes-Green ponders the tremendous amount of work it took to weave fabric by hand, and how it felt to be clothed in someone's labor; what we miss, by living entirely amid machine-made things.

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores, in three parts, her experience as a beekeeper. She mispronounces “propolis” every time!

The Mother of our Lord is often a stumbling block for Protestants who are exploring Orthodoxy. Frederica Mathewes-Green discusses how to disregard medieval excesses, and see how the early Christians saw her.

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores, in three parts, her experience as a beekeeper. She mispronounces “propolis” every time!

In this episode, Michael and Bryce begin to go through an article by Frederica Mathewes-Green titled “Why Orthodox Men Love Church.” They explore the theme of Orthodoxy being “challenging” to men, and discuss how it is “active and not passive.”

Frederica Mathewes-Green shares the prayer titled St. Patrick's Breastplate.

Frederica Mathewes-Green reads her essay, "Why They Hate Us."

Don't miss this rich and inspiring reading by Frederica Mathewes-Green of the entire Nativity Kontakion written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book On the Life of Christ: Kontakia, published in 1994.

Frederica Mathewes-Green interviews author and AFR podcaster Michael Haldas about the life and impact of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Bobby Maddex talks with Frederica Mathewes-Green, the keynote speaker at the upcoming Ancient Faith Writing and Podcasting Conference..

Bobby Maddex talks with Frederica Mathewes-Green, the keynote speaker at the upcoming Ancient Faith Writing and Podcasting Conference..

Here's a prediction: Thousands of years from now when archaeologists excavate American churches, they'll identify the 1990s era by “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelets, DC Talk CDs, and purity rings. Today, 20 years later, that last artifact is even more controversial than when DC Talk evolved from rap music to a kind-of grunge. Purity rings are part of something now derogatorily called “purity culture.”          Here's some background. What most people mean by “purity culture” is the emphasis from pulpits, youth groups, conferences, and Christian authors, since the nineties especially, on maintaining sexual integrity. It started as an evangelical reaction within a culture in which sexual freedom had become the highest good. Remember, television in the ‘80s was dominated by family dramas: Full House, Family Ties, the Cosby Show. The ‘90s was the decade of Friends and Seinfeld. That's quite a shift. Add in more risqué teen movies, music that would make even Madonna blush, and the emergence of Internet pornography, and suddenly teenagers were being catechized in casual sex on a whole new level.          In reaction, many Christian efforts to counter this indoctrination and teach the biblical view of sex were well-intentioned but weren't always consistent or even helpful. I often identify three “wrong-but-well-intentioned” approaches: First, the fear approach.  Some, especially at the height of the AIDS crisis, responded to the sexual revolution with a scare tactic: “If you have sex before you're married, you'll get pregnant, maybe get an STD, and die.”          The problem with the fear approach is that it's utilitarian, as if something is wrong only because of its negative consequences. The problem with that, of course, is that our culture is bent on removing the consequences of risky sexual behavior, and at least when it comes to removing the physical consequences (like unborn lives and STDs), it's been largely successful. 1990s “purity culture” developed a more positive attitude about sex. I call this the “Rally Approach” stage. Christian musicians wrote songs with lyrics like, “Wait for me, darling.” Youth pastors urged students to take “virginity pledges,” and often tens of thousands of Christian teenagers would do so at large, stadium events.          Of course, there's a lot of positives about letting students know they aren't alone in their commitment to be pure. But, motivation to start a commitment is a lot easier to manufacture than motivation to keep a commitment. And, the statistics on that era bear that truth. More recently, well-meaning parents and mentors have been tempted by what a friend of mine calls “the princess theology” approach. Christian young people are offered sexual purity as a kind of bargain: “If I save myself for marriage, God will send me my dream husband or dream wife.” That also led some to the impression that if they messed up, they're now “damaged goods,” and no one would want to marry them. There's no shortage of articles and books today from Christian and secular writers blaming “purity culture” for false expectations, dashed hopes, and ongoing trauma.          Some of this blame is deserved, in my view. The promise of Prince Charming or Princess Charming is one the Bible never makes, and a promise human nature could never accommodate. Still, for all of the teachers and organizations that took “purity culture” to an extreme, creating rules not found in the Bible, especially for young women, I think many of its harshest critics are running to throw the baby out with the bath water. Too often, the backlash against “purity culture” is a backlash against purity—and against Christian sexual morality.          So, what should we make of all of this? We asked a wide range of Christian thinkers to comment on “purity culture,” to discuss whether criticisms of this movement are legitimate, and if they are, how Christians should change the way we advance a biblical sexual ethic in today's culture.          Jim Daly, Karen Swallow Prior, Sean McDowell, Frederica Mathewes-Green, and many others offer thoughtful responses that get to the heart of what “purity culture” was all about, what went wrong, and what went right. Most importantly, they offer ways the church can keep from compromising its millennia-old witness on God's design for sex. It's a witness we must make today more than ever—even if we do decide to toss out the purity rings.          Check out this online symposium at BreakPoint.org.  

The year 2019 is the ten-year anniversary of a statement that drew the line for Christians on three central issues: life, marriage, and religious liberty. There were many prophetic lines in the Manhattan Declaration, which was co-authored by Chuck Colson, Dr. Timothy George of Beeson Divinity School, and Dr. Robert George of Princeton University, but none were more important than the last line:  that “we will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar," but under “no circumstances” could we “render to Caesar what belongs to God.” Half-a-million Christians signed on. In the ten years since those words were written, Caesar (in other words, the state) has claimed more and more of what belongs to God, especially in the areas of life, marriage, and religious liberty. Just think of New York lawmakers high-fiving each other after they ensured unrestricted abortion up to the point of birth, or the governor of Virginia advocating infanticide. Or consider that doctor-assisted suicide is now legal in seven states and the District of Columbia. And what about marriage? Recall the White House lit up in rainbow colors after the Obergefell decision mandated same-sex “marriage” on all fifty states. And think of all the stories we've now heard of believers forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood, or adoption agencies forced to choose between their existence and their convictions. Or business owners like Jack Phillips and Barronelle Stutzman having to go to court to fend off Caesar's demands. Still, let's be clear. Far more important than what Caesar demands is what Christians are willing to concede. Just this week, a new Barna survey revealed that the number of Protestant pastors who are “very concerned” about religious freedom has dropped significantly in just three years—from 55 percent to only 34 percent. This is why Christians must decide where they stand, not based on the pressure of the cultural moment, but on the rock-solid, unchanging truth revealed to us in the Story of Scripture. We cannot render to Caesar what belongs to God. I don't think I can say it any better than Dr. Robert George did in his entry to our BreakPoint.org symposium about the Manhattan Declaration: “In the gospels, our Lord says . . .'be not afraid.' As we stand boldly for life, marriage, and religious liberty, let us heed His admonition. It is not for us to know when or even precisely how the victories will be won. Our task and duty is simply to be faithful and obedient—to bear witness and do what is right . . . When things look bleak, we must not give up hope, for to yield to despair is to fail to trust in Jesus.” To that I say Amen. If you've signed the Manhattan Declaration, I urge you to read it again. Consider again what we must do to honor God in this culture. If you've not read it or signed it, I urge you to consider doing so. You can find a link to the full text of the Manhattan Declaration, as well as to our online symposium, featuring Dr. George's comments along with those of 15 other thought leaders, at BreakPoint.org. And finally, I was pleased to work with the brilliant Dr. David Dockery on a new book, which is now available, that reflects on Christian conviction. It's called “Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty: What Belongs to God, and What Belongs to Caesar.” An absolutely stunning group contributed to the book, including Dr. George, Joni Eareckson Tada, Randy Alcorn, Ryan Anderson, Frederica Mathewes-Green, Michael Farris, Kristen Waggoner, Mary Eberstadt and more. It's available for purchase here at the Colson Center Bookstore.  This is worth repeating: We will ungrudgingly render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but we can never render to Caesar what belongs to God.

Frederica Mathewes-Green interviews Nicholas Kosar about Colonel Philip Ludwell III, the first known American convert to Orthodoxy.

In early May, HHS announced new rules to ensure that “healthcare professionals will not feel compelled to leave the practice of medicine because they decline to participate in actions that violate their conscience such as abortion, sterilization, or assisted suicide.” Not surprisingly, the new rule was immediately challenged in federal court by groups alleging, among other things, that the new rule “advances specific religious beliefs in violation of the First Amendment; violates patients' rights to privacy, liberty and equal dignity as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment; and chills patients' speech and expression in violation of the First Amendment, all to the detriment of patients' health and well-being.” Other left-wing websites such as Salon also joined the chorus of outrage. “Progressives fight back against Religious Right's grotesque ‘religious freedom' power play'” one of the headlines proclaimed. In addition to the strange us of the word “grotesque,” the headline put religious freedom in scare quotes, and the article went on to claim that the new rule has “nothing to do with the genuine freedom to adhere to one's religious beliefs.” No, instead, religious freedom is a “power play” to invent what they call “an imaginary right to discriminate.” I think a better use of the word “imaginary” would be repeated references to the Handmaid's Tale we've all been forced to endure over the last two years. Salon's rhetoric is nothing new. But I was surprised by Salon's claim that our nation's new “theocratic direction,” as they put it, has its origin in, of all things, the Manhattan Declaration! Theocratic? To paraphrase “The Princess Bride,” people keep using that word, but it does not mean what they think it means. A theocracy is “a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler,” and “His laws [are] interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities.” A theocracy was the last thing that Manhattan Declaration authors Chuck Colson, Robert George, and Timothy George had in mind. As Chuck Colson wrote, the Manhattan Declaration was “a clarion call to conscience, a wake-up call to the church.” Then, and even more so now, Christians were in no position to “impose” their views on anyone. In fact, we've barely been able to impose them on ourselves, which was why the Manhattan Declaration was created in the first place. In the ten years since the Declaration was issued, progressives have labeled any assertion of conscience, any refusal to conform one's conduct to the prevailing cultural orthodoxy as an attempt at “theocracy.” Cue those protestors dressed as handmaids. The issues raised by the Manhattan Declaration—life, marriage, and religious liberty—are more important now than ever. Even more important, however, is that we are able to articulate and explain why these issues are so important and non-negotiable for Christians in the first place—and why the authors and a half a million signers of the Manhattan Declaration solemnly declared that “We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” but under “no circumstances” can we “render to Caesar what belongs to God.” That's why in this 10th anniversary year of the Manhattan Declaration, I was pleased to work with the brilliant Dr. David Dockery on a new book, “Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty: What Belongs to God, What Belongs to Caesar.” We assembled a stunning group of contributors, including both Dr. Georges, Joni Eareckson Tada, Randy Alcorn, Ryan Anderson, Frederica Mathewes-Green, Michael Farris, Kristen Waggoner, Mary Eberstadt and more. The book is available at BreakPoint.org with your next donation to BreakPoint and the Colson Center. I hope you'll get a copy for yourself, or for your small group. Christians do not want a theocracy. We simply want the freedom to live out our faith in the way that has proven to be good for the world. But make no mistake, what opponents of religious liberty want is nothing less than secular tyranny.   Resources The Manhattan Declaration The First Freedom: The Primacy of Religious Freedom in the Quest for Liberty of Conscience Timothy D. Padgett, BreakPoint, May 31, 2019   Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty: What Belongs to God, What Belongs to Caesar (Essays for the Tenth Anniversary of the Manhattan Declaration). John Stonestreet and David Dockery, editors, 2019

To celebrate the fiftieth episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast, Hank is re-joined by his first guest, close friend and best-selling author Frederica Mathewes-Green. This wide-ranging conversation explores many of the most common misconceptions of Eastern Orthodox theology, how Orthodox theology actually works, and the true purpose of theology itself — experiencing God. Topics discussed include: why Frederica calls abortion the most important justice issue of our time (2:40); comparing the shifting arguments of pro-choice advocates surrounding the concept of personhood to the perception of personhood found in the Three-Fifths Compromise and slavery (5:05); sex-selective abortion (7:45); how Orthodox theology works — how the concept of theology in the Christian East differs from that of the Christian West (11:00); the Atonement — Christus Victor (16:50); how the fall of Rome affected the separation between the Christian East and the Christian West (18:00); the role of tradition in biblical interpretation (22:35); finding comfort in submitting oneself to the continuation of the teachings and traditions of the historic Christian faith (26:15); truth is necessary, but it's hardly sufficient when it comes to the authentic Christian life, because truly knowing God is more important than knowing about God (35:30); are we allowed to call anyone father? Apophatic theology and the fragile, futility of words (38:45); addressing the fragmentation and tribalism of the church and embracing the concept of mere Christianity while not compromising on the essentials of the historic Christian faith (41:15); addressing the theological unity amidst the ethnic distinctions within Orthodoxy (46:55); separation of church and state (49:40); the transformative power of The Jesus Prayer (53:00); discussing negative attitudes toward Mary and how Jesus would want us to feel about His mother (1:00:40); explaining the practice of venerating icons (1:07:00); exploring the biblical roots of liturgical practices of worship (1:10:50); why viewing the congregation as customers and marketing the consumeristic corruption of church is a tragedy (1:14:00); Nous and the false dichotomy between reason and emotion in theology (1:16:30); the danger in reducing theology to intellectual combat as opposed to a way to encounter and experience God (1:20:00); Romans 6:23 and contesting the common protestation that Orthodoxy is a crass system of works righteousness (1:23:00); and closing remarks (1:30:00).

Hank Hanegraaff, host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast and president of the Christian Research Institute, makes his debut into podcasting with the first episode of Hank Unplugged by inviting his close friend and best-selling author Frederica Mathewes-Green onto the podcast to discuss Hank's transition into Eastern Orthodoxy, being diagnosed with cancer, and the way that those two situations have impacted one another. Topics discussed include the difference Orthodoxy has made for Hank after being diagnosed with cancer and reordering his life around the divine (11:00); the history of the church, schisms, and the high priestly prayer that we all must be as one (14:00); community memory as a source of Church authority and the perpetuation of Holy tradition in addition to “being biblical” (22:30); the “spiritual gymnasium” found in the Orthodox Church (37:30); the tension Hank feels between wanting the Lord to heal him and wanting the Lord to prune him for His glory as a witness (40:30); the idea of intercession of the community of the saints through prayer and the idea that there are no dead Christians (46:30); and how Hank has staked his whole career and ministry on his belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist (52:30).