ng

Asking the Wrong Questions

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos shares the story of Fr. Nicola Yanney, of blessed memory, as he calls us to pursue life in Christ even in the face of danger and illness.




ng

Answering the Call

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos preaches on Jesus calling the disciples to follow him.




ng

Vandalizing the Temple

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos addresses the vandalism that happened to their church and how he desires his parish to respond to it.




ng

Ungrateful

Fr. Theodore Paraskevopoulos explains the meaning of Jesus' parable on the forgiveness. This episode brings the podcast iSermon to an end after 425 episodes.




ng

Fr. Michael Reagan on Common Evangelical Questions (Part 1)

Questions evangelicals want to ask the Eastern Orthodox, with Fr. Michael Reagan.




ng

Fr. Michael Reagan on Common Evangelical Questions (Part 2)

Continuing the discussion with Fr. Michael Reagan, about questions evangelicals have for the Orthodox.




ng

Kevin Allen on Finding Christ in a Hindu Ashram

Steve McMeans interviews his co-host, Kevin Allen, about his experiences as the novice of a Hindu guru, and his journey to Orthodoxy.




ng

Rod Dreher on The Challenges of Modern Islam and What the Media Aren't Telling Us

Steve and Kevin interview syndicated columnist Rod Dreher about today's Islamic faith. Buckle up!




ng

Serving Christ in the poor and needy as Orthodox Christians

Kevin Allen interviews Peter Jordan, the son of the founder of Fred Jordan Mission, a major Los Angeles skid row ministry, and a recent convert to the Eastern Orthodox Church.




ng

Recovering the Scandal of the Cross

Kevin and Steve discuss the rich array of interpretations of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross with Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Dr. Joel B. Green, of Asbury Theological Seminary (Methodist-Wesleyan), and why the reduction of this variety to a single, exclusive view of the atonement - "the "penal substitutionary model" - poses its own scandal, one that is foreign to the New Testament! Buckle up your seat belts!




ng

The New Orthodox Faithful: Why Evangelical Christian University Graduates Are Becoming Orthodox

The Orthodox Church is seeing an influx of graduates from Evangelical Christian colleges and universities, exploring traditional forms of historic Christianity. In this program Kevin Allen discusses this trend with two graduates of BIOLA University (Jesse Cone and Michael Unruh) who were recently chrismated.




ng

‘Classic Evangelical' Discovers Ancient Faith

Join host Kevin Allen in his interview with Ancient Faith Radio founder and Chief Operating Officer of Conciliar Media Ministries, John Maddex, about his fascinating journey to the ancient faith of Orthodoxy after 30 years as a evangelical radio executive and self-professed "classic Evangelical Protestant Christian"!




ng

Taking It To The Streets - An Interview With IOCC Executive Director Constantine M. Triantifilou

He served in war-torn Bosnia and Kenya before he turned 40! Now he heads Orthodoxy’s largest charitable and humanitarian aid organization – International Orthodox Christian Charities. Meet Constantine M. Triantifilou, IOCC’s Executive Director, as he speaks about a career and vocation of service. (Don’t hold it against him – he’s also a Boston Red Sox fan!)




ng

Raised By The “Hell's Angels” - Adopted By His Guardian Angel

Raised by the Hell’s Angel’s motorcycle gang as a youth, John Franklin lived a hell on earth before submitting to Christ and discovering The Orthodox Church while serving a third-term in prison. A story of (continuing) repentance and the grace and mercy of God, this is one you won’t want to miss!




ng

Leaving Rome

Dr. Mary Ward (PhD.), a life-long member of the Roman Catholic Church and professor of Theology at a major Jesuit University, tells us why she left the church of her youth and joined the Orthodox Church (Greek jurisdiction) as an adult.




ng

Is There A “Revolving Door” In The Orthodox Church

Are converts coming into the Orthodox churches only to leave through a “revolving door” due to a lack of spiritual nourishment? Theologian Dr. Bradley Nassif’s controversial article on the subject (“Reclaiming the Gospel”) is the subject of this frank and hard-hitting interview.




ng

Orthodox Administrative Unity - What Is Holding Us Back?

In this special 1 hour edition of The Illumined Heart, Kevin talks with Charles Ajalat. Mr. Ajalat is a powerful voice for Orthodox unity with a great deal of pan-Orthodox leadership experience. Currently chancellor and board member of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, he was also the architect of the historic Ligonier Meeting of Orthodox bishops in 1994—the first meeting of all twenty-nine bishops in North America. He is the founder of a Los Angeles law firm specializing in tax and litigation matters, and a graduate of Harvard University and the Law School at the University of California at Berkeley. He is a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. More resources on this topic: Again Magazine (Winter 2003) Kevin's interview with Fr. Josiah Trenham Metropolitan PHILIP's keynote address at Antiochian Convention in Montreal (2007)




ng

Finding The Right Partner For Life

Kevin speaks with author Fr. Dn. Stephen Holley about how Orthodox Christians ought to approach finding the right marriage partner. Dn. Stephen is the author of "How Do I Find The Right Partner For Life", published by Light and Life.




ng

One Marriage - Two Churches: Loving Your Spouse Into The Orthodox Church

A common dillemma for inquirers into the Orthodox Church is either disinterest or outright hostility to the idea of Orthodoxy by their spouse. In this edition Kevin speaks with a couple who lived this scenario. Meet Bruce and Lynn Marie Heying and learn about their family dynamic and what made Lynn Marie decide to follow Bruce into Orthodoxy seven years later.




ng

Orthodox Christians Encountering Muslims

In this edition Kevin and Fr Ted Pulcini talk frankly about Orthodox Christian - Muslim dialogue and how Orthodoxy can best communicate its ineffable Truth to Muslims in a way that will resonate. Fr Ted's recently published booklet is titled Face to Face: A Guide for Orthodox Christians Encountering Muslims.




ng

Is There A “Revolving Door” In The Orthodox Church

In this encore presentation, Kevin's guest is Dr. Brad Nassif. Are converts coming into the Orthodox churches only to leave through a “revolving door” due to a lack of spiritual nourishment? Theologian Dr. Bradley Nassif’s controversial article on the subject (“Reclaiming the Gospel”) is the subject of this frank and hard-hitting interview.




ng

Christians Suffering in Iraq - Encore

Kevin’s guest in this summer encore presentation is Amal Morcos of IOCC who reports on her trip to Syria and Lebanon.




ng

156: Orthodox & Evangelical Relations: Where are we?

Dr Bradley Nassif, a “pioneer of Orthodox-Evangelical Dialogue” talks with host Kevin Allen about “where things are” formally and informally between The Orthodox Church and Evangelical Christians. Kevin asks the question: “What is an Evangelical?”




ng

145: Founding an Orthodox Liberal Arts and Sciences College

Kevin interviews Dr. Frank Papatheofanis, President of the new St. Katherine College, about what it takes to start an Orthodox liberal arts and sciences college.




ng

140: Living in the Ruins of Christendom - Part 2

Dr. H. Tristram Engelehardt, Jr. concludes his fascinating interview about life in a “neo-pagan” culture with “competing moral alternatives”.




ng

139: Living in the Ruins of Christendom - Part 1

Medical doctor (M.D.) and doctor of Philosophy (PhD.), author and university professor, Dr (Herman) Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. explains why our culture is post-Christian and post-metaphysical, how it got that way, and what the implications and challenges are for the Orthodox family.




ng

136: Baptist Missionary Confronts Long-held Evangelical Tenets - Part 2

Listen to part 2 of Kevin's interview with Fr. James Early




ng

135: Baptist Missionary Confronts Long-held Evangelical Tenets - Part 1

In this two-part interview, ex-Baptist seminary graduate and missionary to Bosnia, now Orthodox priest, Fr James Early, recounts with Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen the circumstances under which he had to face and eventually reject core Baptist-Evangelical tenets and come to accept the faith handed down once and for all to the Saints. His book is called From Baptist to Byzantium.




ng

164: Suffering - An Orthodox Perspective

Why do we suffer after becoming Christian? How do we reconcile the suffering of innocent children with a loving God? These and other perplexing and challenging questions are the subject of this episode of The Illumined Heart with guest, poet and writer of The End of Suffering, Scott Cairns.




ng

158: The Occult: Shining Light on Satan's Shadow

In this two-part series, Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen speaks with Eastern Orthodox priest and occult-specialist Father George Aquaro about the attractions and dangers of the metaphysics and practices of what is called the occult. From seemingly benign astrology to ghost-chasing, and Father George speaks extensively about these practices and what is behind them from the Orthodox Christian perspective. Do ghosts and apparitions exist, or are they necessarily demonic? This and other questions will be addressed in this fascinating two-part series you will not want to miss.




ng

159: The Occult: Shining Light on Satan's Shadow - Part 2

Listen to Part 2 of this fascinating concluding conversation between host Kevin Allen and Orthodox priest and occult-specialist, Father George Aquaro.




ng

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware on What Evangelicals and Orthodox Can Learn From Each Other

What can Evangelicals and Orthodox learn from each other is the subject of the 2nd section of our interview with His Eminence.




ng

160: Catechizing New Age and Eastern Religion Seekers

In this episode, the microphone is turned as AFR General Manager and founder John Maddex interviews host Kevin Allen on the catechism module he developed (with his priest's blessing) specifically for inquirers coming from New Age and Eastern spiritual backgrounds. Is the entrance of New Age and Eastern seekers perhaps a trend the Church needs to prepare for? Are the issues, concerns, and paradigms of these seekers the same as those inquiring from Evangelical backgrounds? Must the catechist know something about New Age and Eastern religions in order to catechize effectively? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this program. You may download an attachment of the course outline here.




ng

Fr. Peter Gillquist on Missions and Evangelism

Kevin Allen talks with Fr. Peter Gillquist about the status of Orthodox Evangelism and the Church in America.




ng

Evangelism in America: How the Greek Archdiocese Sees It

Fr. Jim Kordaris, Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Outreach and Evangelism, speaks candidly about how the GOA understands “Orthodox evangelism” in America, whether it is committed to growth outside of its ethnic heritage, the role of "Hellenism" in the GOA's evangelistic strategy, and whether he sees the GOA playing a vital role in bringing Orthodoxy to America.




ng

From Classic Evangelicalism to Orthodoxy

In this encore presentation of The Illumined Heart, hear the story of John Maddex who, along with his wife Tonya, found the Orthodox Church after nearly 40 years in Evangelical Christian radio.




ng

87: ‘Turning Around' An Orthodox Parish

In this edition Kevin Allen speaks with priest, missionary, author and an adjunct lecturer at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Hellenic College, Fr Luke Veronis, about the challenges he faced when he came home from the mission field to take over a moribund Orthodox parish that had a revolving door of former priests. This is an inspiring and instructive story that will be an encouragement to all!




ng

Struggling with Infertility

6 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 are clinically infertile. Infertility presents a heartbreaking struggle for many Orthodox couples who wonder whether it is God's will for them to be childless, or whether new fertility technologies (and which ones?) are appropriate. In this edition Kevin speaks with Orthodox theologian and ethicist Fr. John Breck about infertility and what options Orthodox Christian couples have to deal with it within an Orthodox context.




ng

89: Discovering the Whole Christ - Head and Body - In the Orthodox Church

In this edition meet post-modern John Ma'ae, who looked for truth in Theravada Buddhism and eventually found the fullness of Christ as the head and body of the Orthodox Church.




ng

97: Speaking of Sola Scriptura

Fr. John Whiteford and host Kevin Allen speak about one of American Christianity's defining doctrines—Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)—and why it is a flawed and non-biblical notion.




ng

Managing Mammon - Part 1

With the near financial meltdown upon us, the next two programs discuss ways Orthodox Christians are to understand money, steward and budget their finances, and plan for their ultimate retirements (and everything in between!). Dn Tom Braun is a business owner and seminar speaker on things financial. Scot Larsen is a sofware executive, who fought his way out of crippling credit card debt and is now an advocate of Christian financial principals.




ng

84: Managing Mammon - Part 2

This could be the most practical and balanced financial information you will ever hear. In part 2, Kevin and his guests, Dn. Tom Braun and Scot Larsen dig into investments and priorities for the non-financially astute.




ng

Transforming Desires and Seeing Iconographically

In episode 4, Andrew helps us understand the transformation that takes place when we begin to see iconographically instead of pornographically. The transcript can be accessed HERE.




ng

Transforming Desires and Overcoming Addiction

In episode 5, Andrew continues to explore the transformation of our desires and how that relates to addiction. Click HERE for a transcript.




ng

Pathways out of Addiction 2: Engaging the Battle

Andrew tells us that will power and relying on ourselves is an ineffective strategy for dealing with addiction to pornography. Read the transcript HERE.




ng

Pathways out of Addiction 4: Living in Communion

St Theophan tells us that “the four weapons of which we have spoken receive their power from the forces and gifts of grace, obtained for us by the blood of Christ.” And the mystery of holy communion “is Christ’s blood itself, and His flesh itself, in which Christ is Himself present as God.” Find the transcript HERE.




ng

Talking to Children About Pornography

What’s a good time to have such a conversation? Well, it shouldn’t just be a one-off conversation… it should be an ongoing dialogue and discussion. Listen to the podcast and read the transcript HERE.




ng

What Is Revealed: Talking About Sexuality and Violence

How talking about anything — including violence and sexuality — can lead to consequences in others’ lives, intentionally and unintentionally. Read the transcript HERE.




ng

Filling My Emptiness

In this episode, Andrew says that sex or pornography may be a way for us to try to fill our emptiness, to meet our fear of being alone and unloved. Read the transcript HERE.




ng

Confessing Who I Am

The fathers tell us it is important to know ourselves, but how many of us can really say that we do? Read the transcript HERE.