The Areopagus

Shawn Raymer, a former ministry co-worker with Pastor Mike, has journeyed from mission work in the heart of the prophetic movement in the Pentecostal world to becoming an Orthodox Christian

Christian Gonzalez and Steven Christoforou are back with the Areopagites to talk ministry in the time of global pandemic -- live-streaming, virtual communion, Zoombombing, Daleks, bidets, mystically multiplying toilet paper, and a whole lot more!

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Mike wrestle with tough questions such as the return of the Orthodox Kevin Bacon to the show and the right response of Christians to the political process. (This episode was recorded before the onset of COVID-19 restrictions in the US, so that topic is not addressed.)

The Areopagites welcome Marc Richter, a long time friend of Pastor Mike, to the podcast to talk about his upbringing in the Roman Catholic Church, what led him away to Protestantism, and what is leading him back. They also introduce a new segment on the latest amazing public things said by religious leaders.

Epic fantasy novelist and Russian Orthodox deacon Nicholas Kotar joins the Areopagites to talk culture creation in a wide-ranging conversation including everything from Tolkien to Star Trek to techniques of story-writing and the place of religion in imaginative fiction.

Dr. Cyril Jenkins joins the Areopagites to talk about the rough and rowdy world of being Christian on the Internet. The conversation ranges from social media to education to reading to ministry and content creation online.

Are pagan gods just made-up stories? How many gods are there? Biblical scholar and AFR podcaster Fr. Stephen De Young returns to the Areopagus to talk with Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew about gods as depicted in the Bible, as understood and worshiped in the ancient world, and as seen in the historical Christian tradition.

The Areopagites compare notes from their respective Holy Week and Paschal worship traditions and even find some surprising points of contact. They also address an email they received after their last episode.

The Areopagites tackle the question of how religious communities engage in internal criticism, when and how that criticism can be received, as well as how and why it might be rejected. The discussion ranges throughout Protestantism, Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, with both drawing on their own experiences in multiple traditions.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael answer your questions, finally revealing the secrets behind Michael's relationship to the UCC, Fr. Andrew's thoughts on woodchucks who won't just chuck wood like they're supposed to, and how they both feel about secret agent Michael Scarn.

The Areopagites have the tables turned and get asked questions by their friend the 'Lost Areopagite,' Dr. Mike Petrow! Together they discuss liturgy both in its more technical sense and also in the sense that nearly everything we do in life is liturgical. They also discuss their first encounters with liturgical worship, how it changed them, and also struggles with reforming the liturgy of their daily lives.

Fr Andrew and Pastor Michael welcome Brian Gillispie, worship leader at Wolfforth United Methodist Church in Lubbock, TX, and an avowed Areopagite, to talk about all things worship. What is worship and what does it do? Is there some value in contemporary worship? Are younger people turning to more traditional forms of worship? Is Timothy Dalton the unappreciated James Bond? Find out on this episode of the Areopagus!

For the first time, Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael record with a live audience, hosted by the Eastern University Orthodox Christian Fellowship and the St. Basil Center for Orthodox Thought and Culture. Featured are two guests as well as a Q&A with the audience, discussing what the Church's mission in the world is and how it moves in that context.

The Areopagites welcome Fr. Stephen De Young, Orthodox priest, Biblical scholar and Ancient Faith podcaster and blogger, to discuss his work on understanding the Bible and the Church Fathers better in terms of the ancient religious mindset, especially Second Temple Judaism. Topics discussed: The Holy Trinity, venerating the Theotokos, giants, Voltron and William Shatner.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael begin Season 2 of the Areopagus with a wide-ranging chat covering clergy scandals, worship and church styles, catechism, and clergy marriage in the Orthodox Church. It's classic coffee talk with just our two hosts!

Fr. Theodore Petrides returns to the Areopagus for the second part of this two-part discussion focusing on the Jesus Prayer. What are the conditions needed for this prayer? How is it practiced? What does it accomplish? Dr. Mike Petrow also joins for this intimate and in-depth conversation.

The Areopagites welcome back Fr. Theodore Petrides to discuss the topic of prayer, particularly the Jesus Prayer. In this first part of two, Dr. Mike Petrow sits in for Pastor Michael, who will return for part 2 of this illuminating discussion on a central piece of Christian life.

The Areopagites recorded their 27th episode while also broadcasting live on Facebook video. They start by discussing Evangelical preacher Andy Stanley's claim that Christians need to 'unhitch' their faith from the Old Testament but then get into taking live questions from the Facebook audience.

Welcoming back Professors Jenkins and Tighe, the Areopagites engage with them in a free-for-all on the Reformation, beginning with some surprising survey results about American Protestants, who increasingly no longer believe in key distinctive Reformation doctrines.

The Areopagites welcome Professors Cyril Jenkins and William Tighe to discuss J.R.R. Tolkien and the summer program of the St. Basil Center for Orthodox Thought and Culture, which is focused on Tolkien's works.

Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew welcome Fr. Theodore Petrides, a frequent pilgrim to the Holy Mountain of Athos and the Holy Land (and who led Fr. Andrew's recent pilgrimage to Athos) to discuss his experiences with miracles, pilgrimage and spiritual fatherhood. Dr. Mike Petrow also joins in, and they explore this beautiful spiritual space together.

The Areopagites welcome Arthur Hatton, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, a counselor, a former Mormon and now Orthodox Christian. They talk faith, doubt and feelings as they are expressed in both Mormonism and classical Christianity.At the end of the interview, Arthur mentioned his music project which can be accessed HERE.

The Areopagites bring back Dr. Mike Petrow to talk Star Wars: The Last Jedi (spoilers!), but mostly to discuss their lives over the past year, what they've learned, and how they've changed. Secrets will be revealed, and Fr. Andrew has way too much fun with a sound effects app.

Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew welcome Michael's dad, Dr. Michael Landsman. They talk about his conversion from Judaism to Christianity and his experience in the Charismatic movement, as well as dealing with disappointment and longevity over 45 years of ministry. They also talk about Fr. Andrew's new book - Bearing God: The Life and Works of St. Ignatius of Antioch the God-Bearer.

Five-time Emmy award winning actor and musician Jonathan Jackson joins Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael to discuss his spiritual journey as well as how Christians can minister directly with those whom they encounter in their everyday life.

Welcoming Lutheran Pastor Waldemar Vinovskis (LCMS), the Areopagites discuss the beginning of the Reformation, what drove Martin Luther, and the path of Lutheranism today, including its relationship with other Christian bodies.

Steven Christoforou, a lifelong Orthodox Christian, joins Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael to discuss his encounters with non-Orthodox theology and practice. Together, they talk about whether and how the Orthodox can learn from other religious groups (and vice versa).

Christian Gonzalez and Steven Christoforou from Pop Culture Coffee Hour join forces again with the Areopagites for a crossover episode discussing controversies that each show recently experienced. They talk about how the questions raised by those controversies flow from issues of trying to remain pure and trying to engage the world.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael welcome Peter Brubacher to the Areopagus, and they discuss Peter's many pilgrimages, including walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and also walking from Europe to Jerusalem. Far from just giving a travelogue, however, they discuss the meaning of pilgrimage and its place in the Christian life.

Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew discuss a recent blog post by Fr. Andrew, titled 'Church Work is Mostly Disappointing,' talking about how and why that is, proposed solutions that don't actually work, and what can really be done about it. They also comment on the one question people ask them the most.

After mentioning him on the podcast multiple times, the Areopagites finally welcome Jamey Bennett, who talks about his journey from Mormonism (including his family's history in an alternative Mormon sect) through several kinds of churches and finally to Orthodoxy, featuring discussion of Christian rap and focusing especially on the question of conversion and all that it means.

Ancient Faith author, podcaster and blogger Angela Doll Carlson joins Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew to talk about her book 'Nearly Orthodox,' her experience in the Emergent Church movement and finding authentic Christian faith in the modern world.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael welcome Dr. Nicole Roccas, 'Time Eternal' podcaster and blogger and author of 'Time and Despondency' from Ancient Faith Publishing to talk early Protestant Reformation apocalypticism, as well as the place of time in Christian theology and life. Calendars, liturgy, times of prayer and even baby noises all come up!

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael welcome back the guys from Pop Culture Coffee Hour for an in-depth discussion of what good ministry looks like in our current age (including youth ministry), with a wide-ranging discussion of secularism, James K. A. Smith, ministry frustrations, how liturgy shapes who you are, and lots of personal experience. Finishes up with a Top 5 at the end.

The Areopagites welcome Steven Christoforou and Christian Gonzalez of Pop Culture Coffee Hour in a crossover episode to talk God and Sci-Fi, including their favorite and least favorite religious moments in science fiction (including Firefly!), as well as a Top 5 at the end.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael answer your questions, ranging from whether Christianity is a religion to what Protestantism and Orthodoxy have to offer each other. They first catch up a little, including Fr. Andrew's experiences at #AFCon and Pastor Michael reflecting on his time as an interim pastor.

Continuing their conversation with Dr. Michael and Kristy Petrow, Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael explore further definition of and also responses to spiritual abuse, including how not to be an abuser.

Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew welcome back Dr. Michael Petrow and introduce his wife Kristy to the podcast. Together, they discuss the phenomenon of spiritual abuse in multiple Christian traditions.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael talk theatre and the arts with professional stage actor Brandon Talley, who is a 13-year veteran of Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. Asides include Star Wars and throwing the gauntlet down about the proper sauce for NC barbecue.

Welcoming guest and AFR podcaster Fr. Anthony Perkins, Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew respond to some listener feedback, which asked why non-Christians should even become Christian and why following Jesus' teachings on your own isn't enough. But first they catch up a little, comparing their experiences of Holy Week and Pascha (Easter).

Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew discuss how Christians can have theological discussions -- even deeply engaged ones -- without getting angry. Along the way, they introduce principles from the Fathers and one modern Orthodox writer.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael talk with Andy Hall, who as an atheist met Christ and now shares his insights relating to what it's like to be raised without preparation for the Gospel and how Christians can connect with other people without that upbringing.

Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew talk with Professor Cyril (Gary) Jenkins about his book 'Calvin's Tormenters,' discussing John Calvin's contemporary theological opponents and lots of related questions.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael kick off their inaugural episode of The Areopagus by introducing their purpose for the podcast, introducing themselves, and their first guest, Dr. Michael Petrow, their friend in common who introduced them to each other. The three also discuss the question: Is it dangerous to encounter other religious traditions?