god and spiritual

Reclaiming Evangelism in the Orthodox Church

Kevin's guest is Fr. John Parker, the Chair of the Department of Evangelization in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). How does the Orthodox Church "do" evangelism and what do we need to do better to introduce people to Christ and His Church?




god and spiritual

Talking To Your Children About Sex

One of the most challenging and important jobs a parent has is to talk to their children about sexuality in a way that incorporates the various spheres of life – biological, emotional, relational, social, and spiritual. In this episode of Ancient Faith Today, host Kevin Allen speaks with Dr. John T. Chirban, author of How to Talk With Your Kids About Sex, about ways to prepare for this most important parental responsibility.




god and spiritual

Demons, Exorcism, and the Paranormal

On the May 6, 2012, program, Kevin's guest was Father George Aquaro (Antiochian Orthodox priest), who has done advanced training as an exorcist. Continue the conversation on the Ancient Faith Today Forum found HERE.




god and spiritual

Christianity and Same-Sex Attraction

Dr. Philip Mamalakis and Andrew Williams, the creators and facilitators of “Finding the freedom to live in the image of God,” a new therapeutic program based on Orthodox principles for sexual addictions and sex-related issues.




god and spiritual

Spiritual But Not Religious

Father Daniel Rogich (PhD), author of the book Becoming Uncreated: The Journey to Human Authenticity, is Kevin's guest as they discuss a growing trend in the Millennial generation regarding religious belief.




god and spiritual

Same-Sex Marriage: Separation of Church-State Issue, or a Moral Problem We Must Oppose?

Guests: Father John Whiteford (ROCOR) and David J. Dunn, PhD, author of the Huffington Post article, “Gay marriage: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective.”




god and spiritual

Christianity and Bioethics

Kevin's guest is Fr John Breck, theologian of the OCA specializing in Scripture and ethics, and the topic is "Orthodox Bioethics: Contraception, Stem Cells, and Reproductive Technologies."




god and spiritual

Spiritually Minded Eating and Cultivating a Spiritually Minded Lifestyle

Kevin's guest is Rita Madden, host of the AFR podcast "Food, Faith, and Fasting." Rita is a Registered Dietitian who finds inspiration in the great role that the Orthodox Christian faith can play in her modern-day healthcare profession. Here she discusses caring for your health in a spiritually minded manner.




god and spiritual

Speaking of the New Age Movement…

Guest: Veronica Hughes, author of The Pearl of Great Price: The Spiritual Journey of a New Age Seeker to the Light of Christ and the Eastern Orthodox Church.




god and spiritual

The Inner Journey of Kyriacos C. Markides

Kyriacos Markides, Professor of Sociology (Univ. of Maine) and best-selling author of The Mountain of Silence, Gifts of the Desert, and his just-released Inner River, speaks about his journey from materialism to the world of shamans and back to the "mystical" Orthodox Christian faith of his youth.




god and spiritual

Answering the Tough Questions About the Orthodox Faith

Kevin's guest is Dn. Michael Hyatt, former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and the host of the AFR podcast "At the Intersection of East and West."




god and spiritual

Faith Informing Politics

Amir Azarvan, progressive economic political science lecturer at Kennesaw State University and William Hinkle (SbDn Basil), Minority Whip in the Washington state house, speak about how their shared Orthodox faith has shaped some very different political thinking.




god and spiritual

Coming Soon - Orthodoxy Live!

Kevin interviews Fr. Evan Armatas who will host a brand new call in program starting November 18 and then be heard the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. This program will offer an "open line" to any question about Orthodoxy and the Bible and then a podcast will be available to download shortly after each program. A few calls came in even on this program to give us a taste of the format.




god and spiritual

The Orthodox Church—Today and Tomorrow

Fr. Josiah Trenham, member of the Secretariat of the Canonical Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of North and South America and podcaster on Ancient Faith Radio ("The Arena") talks with Kevin and the listeners about the Church today, its standing in the culture, and the recent work of the Canonical Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in America, which just met for the third time in September.




god and spiritual

A Christian Ending

Guest: Deacon J. Mark Barna, author of A Christian Ending: A Handbook For Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition, speaks about dying, death, the movement toward natural burial, and dealing with grief from the perspective of the ancient Orthodox Christian tradition.




god and spiritual

Angels: Our Heavenly Guides and Guardians

Guest: Joel Miller, author of the recently published Lifted by Angels: The Presence and Power of Our Heavenly Guides and Guardians discusses with Kevin Allen and the callers the reality and role of angels within the Christian salvation context.




god and spiritual

Ethnocentrism in the Orthodox Church

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos, Ancient Faith Radio podcaster and the parish priest of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Winnipeg, Canada, and Matthew Namee, a Founding Director of The Society for Orthodox Christian History in the Americas, speak about this vexing and all-too-pervasive reality—and obstacle to evangelism—in the Orthodox Church.




god and spiritual

The Humanity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Guest: The V. Rev. Patrick Henry Reardon, pastor of All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church, Senior Editor of Touchstone magazine, AFR podcaster, and author of the newly released The Jesus We Missed: The Surprising Truth About the Humanity of Christ, speaks about the often misunderstood human nature of Christ just two days before His Advent celebration!




god and spiritual

Faith and Celebrity

Kevin talks with five-time Emmy Award-winning actor Jonathan Jackson—who can currently be seen on the ABC primetime drama Nashville—about his faith journey to the Eastern Orthodox Church, how he balances his faith life with his daytime job, and why he gave a public "shout out" to the monks of Holy Mount Athos when he received his recent Emmy Award!




god and spiritual

Mormonism and Orthodox Christianity

Chris Ionna Holland, an ex-Evangelical who was drawn to Mormonism as a teenager and (later) returned to her traditional Christian roots before becoming an Orthodox Christian (and taught how to evangelize Mormons), and Andrew Gusty (M.D.), a cradle Mormon, Temple worthy, an LDS High Priest, and Second Counselor to the Bishop, discuss their unique perspectives with Kevin Allen about Mormon theology, doctrines, and practices, as well as why they left the Mormon faith and became Eastern Orthodox Christians.




god and spiritual

Will Everyone Eventually Be Saved (Universalism)?

Guest: Perry C. Robinson, the editor of the popular Orthodox theology blog Energetic Procession, will share his perspectives on the perennial heterodox idea that God will eventually save/liberate everyone and why there is such a vibrant theological conversation on this subject going on within segments of Evangelicalism (Rob Bell).




god and spiritual

Buddhism and Orthodoxy

Buddhists in the US are double the number of Orthodox Christians, and most American Buddhists are Western, not raised in Buddhist traditions. Kevin and his guests Fr. Brendan Pelphrey (GOA), an ex-missionary in Asia who has had dialogue with the Dalai Lama, and R. Todd Godwin, ex-Buddhist and Orthodox Christian, discuss the attractions of Buddhism, as well as its key teachings and practices, in comparison with and in contrast to those of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.




god and spiritual

Tribute to Metropolitan Philip

In a touching and emotional special edition of Ancient Faith Today, Kevin Allen welcomed the Vicar General of the Antiochian Archdiocese Fr. Thomas Zain as well as former EOC (Evangelical Orthodox Church) Bishop Fr. Wayne Wilson to discuss the life and legacy of Metropolitan Philip Saliba. The program also included listener calls and a tribute from Fr. Jon Braun.




god and spiritual

Raising Godly Children

Elissa D. Bjeletich, author of In God's Hands - A Mother's Journey Through Her Infant's Critical Illness as well as the AFR podcast Raising Saints, and Elizabeth White, author of Following A Sacred Path - Raising Godly Children, join host Kevin Allen to discuss how to develop the spiritual nature of children and raise them to love and experience God.




god and spiritual

Human Exceptionalism and the Animal Rights Movement

Are Humans the Centerpiece of Creation? This episode deals with "Human Exceptionalism" and its threat by the animal and nature rights movements. Kevin Allens's guests are lawyer and award-winning author (and Orthodox Christian) Wesley J. Smith ("A Rat Is a Pig is a Dog is a Boy"), and Fr Christopher of New Skete monastery.




god and spiritual

Orthodoxy and the Environment

Kevin Allen talks with guest Father Michael Butler about how we might address the environmental issues that confront us today by appealing to the authentic Orthodox Tradition. Fr. Michael is the co-author of Creation and the Heart of Man.




god and spiritual

The Pope and the Patriarch

Kevin Allen and his guests discuss the joint statements made in Jerusalem by Pope Francis I and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and their potential impact on Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox relations. Kevin is joined by Fr. Matthew Baker (Greek Archdiocese of America) and Fr. John Whiteford (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia).




god and spiritual

Making Orthodoxy Plausible for the Non-Orthodox

Fr. Wilbur Ellsworth discusses with host Kevin Allen the challenges and opportunities of presenting Orthodoxy as plausible to non-Orthodox visitors and inquirers. Fr. Wilbur is a former Baptist pastor of a large influential church in Wheaton, IL, but now a priest in the Orthodox Church.




god and spiritual

Scripture and Tradition

Kevin Allen speaks with the William F. Orr Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Dr Edith M. Humphrey, on the relationship between the oral and written traditions of the Bible and how the various Christian faith traditions have made a relatively modern dichotomy between Scripture and Holy Tradition.




god and spiritual

Pentecostalism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Father Barnabas Powell talks about why he left Pentecostalism, why he was drawn to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and how he and the Orthodox tradition view this contemporary Christian movement.




god and spiritual

Back to the Future: A Reflection on the Past and Future Legacy of the “Evangelical Orthodox”

Guest: The V. Rev. Jon Braun, ex-Campus Crusade for Christ Regional Director and former leader of the Evangelical Orthodox Church.




god and spiritual

Early Lutheran/Orthodox Dialog After The Reformation

Most Christians are not aware that in the latter part of the 16th century, early Lutheran Reformers - close colleagues and followers of Martin Luther - set in motion an eight year contact and correspondence with the (then) Ecumenical Patriarch, Jeremias II of Constantinople. The outcome might have changed the course of Christian history. Kevin Allen speaks with scholar Dr Paraskeve (Eve) Tibbs about this fascinating and largely unknown chapter in post-Reformation history.




god and spiritual

Addiction, Recovery, and Orthodox Christianity

Fr. George Aquaro, author of the blog "Orthodoxy and Recovery," and Dr. Albert Rossi, a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of New York, discuss addiction and ways to overcome it.




god and spiritual

Rock and Sand - Orthodoxy and Reformed Theology

We welcome back Kevin Allen to AFR with his inaugural come back podcast which is part 1 of an interview with Fr. Josiah Trenham. They discuss his new book Rock and Sand - An Orthodox Appraisal of the Protestant Reformers and their Teaching, published by New Rome Press. This interview is also available in video format from Patristic Nectar Films.




god and spiritual

March with Martin Luther King

In this episode of Ancient Faith Today, Kevin speaks with his guest Father Michael Varlamos about the historic march of His Eminence Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Church on March 15, 1965, with Dr Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama, and the Orthodox Christian teachings on racism, ethnic separatism and racial profiling.




god and spiritual

Rock and Sand - Orthodoxy and Reformed Theology - Part 2

In part 2 of his interview with Fr. Josiah Trenham, Kevin Allen gets specific on some of the modern day expressions of Reformed teaching and how it differs from the Orthodox Church. Fr. Josiah authored the book Rock and Sand: An Orthodox Appraisal of the Protestant Reformers and Their Theology. Click here to view the video version of this interview.




god and spiritual

David Daleiden - The Man Behind the Planned Parenthood Exposé

In this special edition of Ancient Faith Today, Kevin speaks, in this extensive interview, with David Daleiden, the director of the Center For Medical Progress, the pro-life activist organization that planned and produced the ​exposé videos that have shaken the abortion industry in the United States.




god and spiritual

Is Orthodoxy in Decline?

Alarming statistics are reported on the decline of Christianity (-8% in seven years) across all denominations in the U.S.; as well as significant data on the Orthodox Church in the U.S. Be the Bee's Steven Christoforou, Director of the GOA Youth and Adult Ministries Department, and the Office of Camping Ministries; also Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff, the director of the Orthodox Natural Church Development program, join Kevin Allen to discuss.




god and spiritual

On Depression

In this episode, Kevin and his guest clinical psychologist Dr Albert Rossi address depression, an increasingly common mental health issue that men, women and children struggle with, and discuss among other aspects whether it is primarily a medical or spiritual problem.




god and spiritual

Anglicans and Orthodox in Russia

Kevin speaks with Fr. Chad Hatfield and Bishop Keith Ackerman shortly after their return from Moscow where bishops from the Anglican Church in North America were invited by Patriarch Kirill and Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) for a summit.




god and spiritual

Orthodox Fundamentalism: What is it and does it exist?

Earlier in the year one of Kevin's guests, Dr. George E. Demacopoulos, wrote on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese blog that through the increasing expansion of 'Orthodox fundamentalism' in ordinary parishes, "the entire Orthodox Church is at risk of being hijacked by extremists." Father John Whiteford, ROCOR priest and blogger wrote a robust rebuttal to this article. On this episode of Ancient Faith Today, Kevin discusses with his guests their views of 'Orthodox fundamentalism': what it is, whether it truly exists, and what impact it is having on the Orthodox Church today.




god and spiritual

Islam: Through the heart and mind of a convert to Orthodox Christianity - Part 1

In this two-part interview Kevin's guest is "George," who became a Sunni Muslim at age 14 and studied to become an Imam at a madrasa, studying Quran, Arabic language, Islamic theology, hadith, and jurisprudence. He left Islam and became an Orthodox Christian 20 years later. Among other things, Kevin and his guest discuss Islamic theology, common misunderstandings of Christianity by Muslims, differences between "orthodox" Islam and the Nation of Islam, the true understanding and practice in Islam of slavery and jihad, and the extraordinary journey that led "George" to Orthodox Christianity.




god and spiritual

Three Successful Parishes

In light of the more negative news recently about the decline of Christianity and in particular Orthodox Christianity, we present a balanced perspective which showcases three successful parishes in the Greek Archdiocese. Joining Kevin are Fr. Lou Christopulos, Fr. Theodore Dorrance, and Fr. Evan Armatas.




god and spiritual

Considering the “Benedict Option” with Rod Dreher

Many Orthodox Christians are wondering how to live and raise their families in an increasingly secularized and anti-Christian culture in the U.S. and Western Europe where many believe Christianity has lost the "culture wars." In this episode of Ancient Faith Today, host Kevin Allen speaks with author and journalist Rod Dreher, of The American Conservative, about what he calls "The Benedict Option."




god and spiritual

We Wish You an Ascetic Christmas! Understanding the Ascetic Struggle in Orthodoxy

For most people in our society the Christmas season is a time of celebration, with holiday parties, and unleashed consumerism. For Orthodox Christians however the Advent Season is a time of fasting, prayer and ascetic struggle. Why? In this edition of Ancient Faith Today, host Kevin Allen discusses with Father Gregory Jensen, author of the book The Cure for Consumerism, the reason for the ascetic struggle for Orthodox Christians.




god and spiritual

Islam: Through the heart and mind of a convert to Orthodox Christianity - Part 2

In this two-part interview Kevin's guest is "George," who became a Sunni Muslim at age 14 and studied to become an Imam at a madrasa, studying Quran, Arabic language, Islamic theology, hadith, and jurisprudence. He left Islam and became an Orthodox Christian 20 years later. Among other things, Kevin and his guest discuss Islamic theology, common misunderstandings of Christianity by Muslims, differences between "orthodox" Islam and the Nation of Islam, the true understanding and practice in Islam of slavery and jihad, and the extraordinary journey that led "George" to Orthodox Christianity.




god and spiritual

The New Atheists and their Claims

Kevin's first guests were Fr. Hans Jacobse, President of the American Orthodox Institute, and Dr. John Mark Reynolds, philosopher, author, and newly appointed Provost of Houston Baptist University. The subject was The New Atheists and their claims against Christianity




god and spiritual

An Orthodox Christian Leads the Fight Against Human Trafficking

One of the great evils of all times is slavery and in this time human trafficking. Unknown to many an Antiochian Orthodox Christian has dedicated his life to educating the public and ending this evil practice. In this episode host Kevin Allen speaks about human trafficking with Tony Nassif Jr, the President of the Cedars Cultural and Educational Foundation. He also produces national Preventing Abuse Conferences which focuses on preventing human trafficking and child abduction.




god and spiritual

Steps to Transformation

In this first episode of 2016, host Kevin Allen speaks with Archimandrite and Abbot Sergius of the Monastery of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, the oldest Orthodox monastery in the U.S., about practical ways Christians can cooperate with the grace of God to "...be transformed ..." (Rom. 12:2) into the Likeness of Christ. Abbot Sergius is the author of the book "Acquiring the Mind of Christ: Embracing the Vision of the Orthodox Church" (St Tikhon Seminary Press). Father Sergius is the 16th Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery and Lecturer of Orthodox Spirituality at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.




god and spiritual

Surviving College as an Orthodox Christian

In America Christianity is losing its youth, especially when they enter college and university. This is the case across all Christian faith traditions. Two recent studies conducted by both the Barna Group and USA Today found that nearly 75 percent of Christian young people fall away from the faith between the ages of 18 and 22. In this program, host Kevin Allen discusses with his guest Emma Solak, an Orthodox Christian university student and active member of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship—a pan-Orthodox Christian campus ministry—he challenges today’s Christian students face in college and our increasingly secular culture, and ways to stay strong in the faith.