Simply Orthodox

Orthodox Theological Society Interview with Sister Nonna Harrison

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:02:01 -0500

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.

Orthodox Theological Society Interview with Matthew Namee

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:02:00 -0500

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)

Pentecost: Power for Everyday Living

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:02:00 -0500

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.

Christ is Risen! Part 7 - The Sunday of the First Ecumenical Council

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:02:00 -0500

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."

Christ is Risen! Part 6 - The Sunday of the Blind Man

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 31 May 2008 10:45:00 -0500

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."

Christ is Risen! Part 5 - The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:02:01 -0500

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.

Christ Is Risen! Part 4 - The Sunday of the Paralytic

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:02:00 -0500

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.

Christ Is Risen! Part 3 - The Myrrh-Bearing Women

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:02:00 -0500

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.

Christ Is Risen! Part 2 - Now What Are We To Do?

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:02:00 -0500

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!

Christ is Risen! Part 1 - Three Timeless Truths of Christ’s Resurrection

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:33:01 -0500

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

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:55:00 -0500

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.

Desert Spirituality for City Folks - Part 17 - Anger

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 09:36:01 -0500

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, 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.

Desert Spirituality for City Folks - Part 16 - Defeating the Noonday Demon

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:02:00 -0500

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)

Desert Spirituality for City Folks - Part 15 - Why is our Gospel too small?

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:49:00 -0500

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)

Desert Spirituality for City Folks - Part 14 - Gluttony

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Dr. Bradley Nassif and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:02:01 -0500

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.