The Symbolic World

Fr. Joseph Lucas, an Orthodox Christian priest and theological scholar, discusses sacrifice in Scripture, the understanding of the crucifixion, and how sacrifice applies to the Christian life. They explore the concept of sacrifice in relation to God, the symbolism of the Yom Kippur sacrifice, and the connection between sacrifice and salvation. They also delve into the power of faith in Christ to repel sin, the meaning of sacrifice in relation to human nature, and the paradoxes of leadership.

DC Schindler, an art and philosophy enthusiast, joins the podcast to explore the duality of art and beauty. They discuss the relationship between art and technology, the nature of technology in artistic creation, and the invitational character of beauty. They also touch upon the duality between art and technology in different contexts and the significance of true beauty in church art.

Fr. Turbo Qualls and David Patrick Harry discuss beauty and iconography in the Orthodox Christian tradition. They explore the meaning and purpose of icons in worship, the balance of beauty and charity, and the question of idolatry. They also delve into the duality of externals, the role of asceticism, and the aesthetic dimension of Orthodox Christianity in the contemporary world.

Dr. Martin Shaw, a writer and storyteller, discusses pagan stories like The Odyssey, the return of paganism in modern life, and his journey to Orthodox Christianity. They explore the relevance of the Odyssey today, the power of storytelling to change perspectives, and the importance of embracing intellectual pandemonium in discussions.

Fr. Andrew Damick, Chief Content Officer of Ancient Faith Ministries, discusses the integration of pagan symbolism in Christianity, focusing on Lithuania's unique context. Topics include: Lithuania's split between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, reclaiming pagan symbolism in Christian worship, recognizing saints beyond traditional boundaries, edits to a Catholic text, the transformation of pagan symbols into Christian icons, and creatively engaging with pagan symbolism in the Orthodox Church.

Kendelle Hoyer, a storyboard artist from major animation studios, discusses the importance of implicit meaning in storytelling, the role of a storyboard artist in collaboration, the creative process behind early Disney movies, and the impact of AI on animation. They also touch on the challenges of maintaining a creative environment and the dissatisfaction with visually stunning but uninteresting online ads.

Exploring the interconnected nature of ritualized behavior, this podcast discusses how religious practices are an extension of other human behaviors. It highlights the binding power of ritual, its connection to reality, and the trade-off between ritual and power. Understand the significance of ritualization in understanding religious rituals and their connection to other behaviors.

Annie Crawford discusses C.S. Lewis' perspective on progress, AI, and gender, the concept of a third gender in fiction, Lewis' portrayal of heaven in 'The Great Divorce', the trilogy's model after the Divine Comedy, the nature of matter and form, skepticism towards scientific explanations of spiritual concepts, and Lewis' belief in reuniting objective and subjective ways of knowing.

Jacob Howland, a philosophy professor, discusses the effects of technology on the human spirit. Topics include memory and recollection, Plato's Phaedrus, biblical garments of skin, AI's impact on human capabilities, paganism and idolatry, intelligence, and the internet.

Guest Fr. Stephen De Young, a writer and speaker, discusses the sexual and revolutionary symbolism in the Bible, particularly the story of Ham uncovering his father's nakedness. They explore the significance of incest at the beginning of scripture and confusion as sin in the end. The podcast also delves into the symbolism of authority and sexual availability, the importance of marriage, and the dangers of staying in an echo chamber.