For Most Atheists, Atheism is a Lifestyle Choice [VIDEO]
Why Study Atheism with Conor Cunningham Atheists, if they are true to their premises, embrace nihilism.* Conor Cunningham looks at what is involved in the claims of 'atheism' and why those claims can be useful to the studies of the theologian. *Nihilism Source: Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or … (more...)
Priests Don’t Answer Emails
The complaint below about non-responsive priests and laity is accurate. But how do the non-responsives think people reach out to them? How do they think people react when their requests are ignored or rebuffed? What is so hard about returning a phone call or setting up even a one page website? Hint to priests who feel overwhelmed by the demands of their ministry and let items fall through … (more...)
Building Bridges Between Orthodox and Catholic Christians: Interview with Fr Robert Taft, SJ
Source: The Catholic World Report | Christopher B. Warner The April 22nd kidnapping of Syrian archbishops Mar Gregorios Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Church and Paul Yazigi of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, and the killing of their driver, has reminded us once again of the vulnerability of ancient Christian peoples living in the Middle East. More than 1,000 Christians have been killed … (more...)
Letter to Secretary of State John Kerry on Kidnapped Syrian Bishops
- Source: Assembly of Bishops The Honorable John KerryUnited States Secretary of State Dear Secretary Kerry, We, the Members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, kindly bring to your attention the urgent and very serious plight of the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Paul Yazigi and Yohanna Ibrahim, who were abducted this past … (more...)
St. Vlad’s Hosts Poverty Conference – May 31 – June 1, 2013
Source: St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminay "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for life!" How may we re–think our response to issues of poverty, and how may we offer positive solutions to address the needs of the poor? This conference, co-hosted by the Seminary and the Acton Institute—a body dedicated to researching … (more...)
Why Do Eastern Orthodox Churches Continue Enabling Opposition to Orthodox Values on Abortion, Sexual Morality?
It's biting criticism folks -- but all true. From the essay: What I have observed rather consistently (and had this confirmed by other trustworthy observers) is that Eastern Orthodox leaders participating in NCC meetings have shown little to no interest in openly defending Christian values (particularly on life and sexuality) when confronted by the aggressively secular values of … (more...)
Edith Schaeffer. May Her Memory Be Eternal
Edith Schaeffer passed away last week at 91 years old. Many readers may not know her. Edith was the wife of prominent Evangelical theologian Francis Schaeffer who founded L'Abri Fellowship in Switzerland and had immeasurable influence helping young people find their way out of the despair of moral relativism in the latter decades of the last century. Edith was a profound humanitarian but in a very … (more...)
Pakistani Mob Destroys Hundreds of Christian Homes in Lahore
By Cal Oren On Saturday, March 9, 2013 a crowd of Muslim Pakistanis attached a small Christian neighborhood known as the St. Joseph Colony in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. This was shortly after an incident earlier in the week, when one Muslim resident had accused another Christian resident of blasphemy against Muhammed after the two had engaged in a dispute. The police arrested the Christian … (more...)
Terry Mattingly: Did ‘The’ Leader of the Orthodox Attend the Rome Rites? [VIDEO]
Source: Patheos | Terry Mattingly So, let’s assume that you are a Catholic leader and you pick up your morning newspaper and it contains a story in which Pope Francis is described as “a leader” of the world’s Catholic Christians. What would you think? Is the phrase “a leader” — implying one among many equals — an accurate way to describe … (more...)
Dylan Pahman – Orthodoxy and Natural Law: A Reappraisal
Source: Acton Blog | Dylan Pahman At Ethika Politika today, I examine the recent critique by David Bentley Hart in the most recent issue of First Things of the use of natural law in public discourse in my article, “Natural Law, Public Policy, and the Uncanny Voice of Conscience.” Ultimately, I offer a measured critique—somewhat agreeing with, but mostly critical of Hart’s … (more...)
Dr. Alexis Torrance: The Concept of a Person in Modern Orthodox Theology [VIDEO]
Source: Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary | HT: Pravoslavie.ru On Thursday, March 14, 2013, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary hosted a lecture on the concept of the person in Orthodox theology, presented by Alexis Torrance, D.Phil. (Oxon.), a patristics scholar and the author of a recent book "Repentance in Late Antiquity: Eastern Asceticism and the Framing of Christian Life" (Oxford University … (more...)
Wesley Pruden: The Puzzling Papacy of Pope Francis
Source: The Washington Times The new pope is a puzzle to nearly everybody, particularly to the politicians, pundits and other know-it-alls. He looks and sounds like a remnant of a previous time, thrown up in the squalid swamp of a trashy and superficial age. He’s not at all hip and “with it.” He’s not interested in “moving forward,” as in the current cliche. He projects humility and … (more...)
Eric Metaxas: Religious Freedom is Under Threat. CPAC Speech on March 16, 2013.
Once the State arrogates unto itself the moral authority to create relationships not found in nature, it stakes the claim that only the State can determine what is morally licit. At that point Christian beliefs and morals oppose the State and the Christian may be seen as an enemy. Source: ericmetaxas.com Highlights: Jefferson and the Founders...knew that the State was always tempted to … (more...)
Dylan Pahman – Natural Law, Public Policy, and the Uncanny Voice of Conscience: An Orthodox Response to David Bentley Hart
Source: Ehtika Politika | In his recent First Things article, “Is, Ought, and Nature’s Laws,” David Bentley Hart puts forth a formidable and subtle critique of the use, “by certain self-described Thomists,” of the natural law tradition in public discourse. While Hart does not deny “a harmony between cosmic and moral order,” he takes issue when … (more...)
The Colloquium and Pope Francis
Several weeks ago I spent a weekend with Catholic and Orthodox scholars in a colloquium titled "Liberty, Society, and the Economy in Modern Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Thought." I am a parish priest, not an academic, which means I approach the big questions from what I call a "rubber meets the road" perspective. I start with the problem or issue that I am thrust into and work out from … (more...)
