Search the Scriptures Live

What is the Book of Enoch about? Scholars are interested in this book, but is it spiritually useful for Orthodox Christians? Why is modern Judaism different from biblical Judaism? To what extent does Judaism in the time of Christ correspond to the Judaism of today? What will ultimately happen to the Jewish people at the last judgment? We will consider these issues from a patristic, historical, and scriptural perspective

As we wrap up our study of Romans, we will discuss the activities of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome as well as their martyrdoms and burial. Are the churches constructed today actually where those two saints were buried nearly 2,000 years ago? What do we know about their travels and martyrdom from history, scripture, and Church tradition? We will read the Roman accounts of Nero's martyrdom of Christians and a wonderful passage by St. John Chrysostom about the relics of St. Paul.

"Greet Mary who worked hard among you." St. Paul continues to greet many people who belong to the Church of Rome, and St. John Chrysostom continues to laud in particular those Christian women, including a female apostle. Chrysostom explains how their roles and leadership in the Church do not conflict with Paul's statements about women. We will also continue our discussion about women in the early Church and the female diaconate as we respond to emails on that subject.

In Romans chapter 16, Paul greets many Roman Christians, including many women active in the church there. How do we reconcile Paul having female co-workers with the passages in his epistles in which Paul says that women should "be silent"? St. John Chrysostom, who is often accused of misogyny himself, has some very interesting comments to make about this last chapter of Romans and women in the early Church.

"I commend to you our sister, Phoebe, deacon of the church at Cenchrea." In the final chapter of Romans Paul greets an extraordinary number of people, including many women. Some people say that Phoebe was not a deacon but a "servant" and that women had no ordained positions. What do we know about the role of women in the early Church?

What was written in former days was written for our instruction," St. Paul told the Romans. This passage and others similar to it in the New Testament have been discussed many times by the Fathers of the Church. When the New Testament was written the only "scriptures" were the Jewish scriptures. Since the followers of Christ did not follow the Law of Moses, how did they adapt and interpret the Jewish Scriptures? Was there any controversy over the use of the Jewish Scriptures and their application in the Christian life?

"For Christ did not please himself," Paul writes. As he concludes his discussion of relationships in the Church, St. Paul brings us back to the premier example of Christ and the love of God. Chrysostom adds that it is not merely love that He requires but that we be of one mind, one phronema. Why is this important in the Church? St. John Chrysostom will explain it.

"But he who has doubts is condemned, if he eats, because he does not act from faith; Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." St. Paul concludes Romans 14 with a stark statement concerning faith, doubt, and judgment. After saying that he is convinced that nothing is unclean, how can Paul now say that someone who eats is condemned? This verse makes an important point concerning one's conscience. Join us tonight as we discuss this and continue with some further comments on the current Orthodox fixation on end time prophecies by monks and saints. How reliable are they?

“Do not let your good be spoken of as evil.” How can good be spoken of as evil? As we continue St. Paul’s lessons on love and the correct Christian attitude toward each other, how are we to apply that lesson against judging another servant of the Lord? It's easy to talk about loving others, but as a practical matter, how do we resolve conflicts in our own parish community over various issues? Does Paul’s instruction against judging another’s servant mean that we are to say nothing? Does this mean that we are to disregard our Orthodox traditions or ignore them? Is it ever appropriate to correct others? On the other extreme, do we bear any responsibility if we scandalize others by following only our own opinion? St. John Chrysostom has plenty to say about these issues.

“As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything while the weak man eats only vegetables” (Rom. 14:1-2). As we begin chapter 14 of Romans, Paul warns us not to have disputes over food. He describes some Christians as “the weak” while presumably others would be “the strong.” Orthodox Christians might be surprised about who is considered “weak” and who is considered “strong.” Who are these groups in the Roman Church, and what lesson is St. Paul teaching us about the observance of food regulations?