The Areopagus

The Areopagites compare the Pentecostal/Charismatic concept of “the anointing” with historic Christian anointings and show how trading out the latter for the former leads to disaster. 0:00 - Cold open 0:40 - Intro 9:52 - Updates 26:13 - Storm clouds brewing over the Charismatic world 36:18 - "The Anointing" 49:25 - Anointing in Orthodox Christianity 1:11:11 - Impartation 1:26:49 - Spectacular spiritual gifts 1:43:02 - Good leadership requires holiness

In 2009, Michael “The Internet Monk” Spencer predicted the collapse of American Evangelicalism within 10 years. Using this frame of reference, Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin joins the Areopagites to discuss a 2024 Christianity Today article titled “The Loosening of American Evangelicalism.” What is going on with this most visible of American religious groups?

Back from their pilgrimage to Scotland and Northumbria, the Areopagite pilgrims reflect on the holy people and places they encountered. They also answer an email from an ardent fan.

While riding a train on pilgrimage to the holy island of Iona in Scotland, the Areopagites are joined by Fr. Jacob Siemens and Dcn. Seraphim Richard Rohlin to talk about their hopes for their pilgrimage and what the point of it even is.

A muscular, aggressive Christianity has emerged into public life. The Areopagites tackle this question by comparing it to historic Christianity, especially to what is taught in the Scriptures.

The Areopagites (one of whom can’t believe he’s doing this) take a look at the demonology and soteriology of the runaway Netflix hit “KPop Demon Hunters.” Could its popularity have something to do with the way it portrays the human fall into sin as participation with the demonic?

The Areopagites discuss the wild world of Christian apologetics on the Internet, comparing and contrasting it with historical apologetics from the early Church.

The Areopagites tackle the recent revival, return, reaction, resurgence – whatever you want to call it – that is bringing more people into churches all over the world.

What’s the deal with Holy Saturday? Is it a time of doubt and awkward waiting? The Areopagites reference a Christianity Today article about Holy Saturday to talk about what’s going on and how disconnection from tradition and scripture lead to psychologizing Biblical texts.

What myths are holding up the roofs of society? Our sense of religiosity? What happens when those pillars get knocked out and the roof caves in? The Areopagites discuss all this and give some updates of their last few months' adventures.

The Areopagites take a look back on their 2024, giving lightning reviews of (among other things) books they've read, movies they've seen, places they've been, and songs that are tugging at their hearts.

What hath Taylor Swift to do with Ganesh and the two-party American political system? The Areopagites take on some (metaphorical) idolatries of our time -- political, ecclesial, and cultural.

The Areopagites welcome Fr. Stephen De Young to talk about the foundations of the Reformation in a now centuries-old misreading of St. Paul and how his new book 'Saint Paul the Pharisee' aims to bring us back to the apostle’s original context. Get the book here: https://store.ancientfaith.com/saint-paul-the-pharisee-jewish-apostle-to-all-nations/

A lot has happened since our last episode, and we’re going to tell you all of it. Okay, some of it. But it will be the good stuff.

Richard Rohlin joins the Areopagites again to talk about the remarkable news that Southern Baptists are considering adopting the Nicene Creed. How can that even be possible within Baptist history and tradition? Richard takes us on a whirlwind tour of the Baptist tradition, including the infamous Trail of Blood.

The Areopagites welcome Fr. Brandon LeTourneau, an Anglican priest at a parish in California, to talk about the role of beauty in worship: What does beauty accomplish? Is it a hindrance or aid? How does one beautify worship spaces with the resources one has on hand? What is the specific character of the beauty of Christian art?

How are people meeting Christ? What part can apologetics play? Is it always necessary? Is a non-intellectual conversion an honest one? The Areopagites are once again joined by Richard Rohlin, and together they wrestle with these questions and more.

The Areopagites talk about Lenten devotional practices, especially focusing on non-liturgical traditions that adopt practices from liturgical traditions. How does that work, and how does it transform those practices when they are re-contextualized?

Dr. Cyril Gary Jenkins makes his triumphant return to the Areopagus, and this time he’s got a book. The Areopagites chat with him about his newly-published “A Perilous Realm: Confronting Dragons, Angels, and Saints in the Ordering of the Soul.”

The Areopagites do their year-in-review episode, discussing things they’ve accomplished, books they’ve read, places they’ve been, people they’ve lost and things they’ve learned.