The Emperor Cult
Dr. Jeannie discusses Rev.13, recapping for her listeners the concepts behind the Emperor Cult, who is the anti-christ, and what does the number 666 represent and what is the mark of the beast
Oct 27, 2020
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Episodes
What Is the Mark of the Beast? Who Was 666?
Dr. Jeannie continues her discussion on the Book of Revelation and focuses this week on Revelation 12, the Woman Clothed with the Sun, who was pursued by the Dragon. Is the woman the Virgin Mary? Then she turns her attention to Revelation 13, the appearance of two Beasts and the infamous number 666. What does it mean to receive the mark of the Beast? Who was the 666? Are these images simply about past historical events, or is there a message for us now and for the future?
Oct 20, 2020
Rapture and Revelation
Dr. Jeannie discusses the Protestant doctrine of the Rapture and Revelation. In Ch. 8 of Revelation, the seventh seal is opened, which begins a period of intense tribulations. Seven trumpets are blown resulting in dramatic changes and suffering among people. Why does God send the tribulations? Is this hell or is it punishment on earth for those destined for hell? Will anyone escape these tribulations? Who are the two witnesses who are sent to earth? Is there such a thing as the rapture? Will som...
Oct 13, 2020
How Will We Know When We Have Actually Entered the End Times?
Having already discussed the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the first four “seals,” Dr. Constantinou goes on to explain the 5th, 6th, and 7th seals. This is a critical part of the book of Revelation in which there is a shift toward the eschatological future. How will we know when we are really in the end times, as opposed to simply experiencing the typical trials and tribulations of human life on Earth?
Oct 06, 2020
Who Are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
Dr. Jeannie continues her discussion on the Book of Revelation, centering on the Lamb and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. She concludes her explanation of the four creatures by the throne of God and explains how they were interpreted as the four Evangelists in the patristic tradition. Then she continues her study of the Throne Room scene, where we will see the appearance of the Lamb who will open the scroll which is sealed with seven seals. The opening of each of the first four seals brings...
Sep 29, 2020
Angels, Elders, Thrones, a Sea of Glass
Dr. Constantinou continues her study of Revelation with Chapter 4, John's visit to heaven, known as the "Throne Room" scene. There we see angels, elders, thrones, a rainbow, a sea of glass, and the lamb. What is the meaning of the imagery and the numbers? Who is on the throne? Why are the four creatures by the throne identified with the evangelists? She also addresses an important theological question: When Christ said that only the Father knows the time of His return, does this mean that the Lo...
Sep 22, 2020
What Can We Learn in the Letters to the Seven Churches?
Dr. Constantinou continues her exploration of the Book of Revelation. She discusses the opening vision and the letters to the seven churches, chapters 2 and 3. What do we learn about the context of Revelation from the vision of John described in Chapter 1? Why is the Holy Spirit described as the "seven spirits" before the throne of God? What was happening during the sixth and seventh centuries that led to the first Greek commentaries on the Apocalypse?
Sep 15, 2020
How Does the Orthodox Church Interpret the Book of Revelation?
Dr. Constantinou continues her exploration of the Book of Revelation. How does the Orthodox Church interpret it? The Apocalypse was accepted by the entire Church, then rejected in the East and ultimately accepted again. Why? Who was Andrew of Caesarea, and what impact did he have on the Orthodox acceptance and interpretation of the Apocalypse?
Sep 08, 2020
How Are We to Understand the Last Book of the Bible?
Dr. Constantinou begins her introduction to the Book of Revelation. The book seems to raise as many questions as it answers. Among those she explores are, “Why is it so strange?” “Who was the author?” “When did he write this book?” “What are other theories about authorship and the dating of this book?” not to mention “How do we interpret its symbols?”
Sep 01, 2020
Are There “Lost Books” of the Bible?
One of the smallest books of the Bible is the epistle of Jude, the brother of James. Although it is short, it contains an unusual element: a reference to a story from the pseudepigrapha, Jewish non-canonical writings. Just as there were Christian writings that were never accepted as Scripture, apocrypha, the Jews also had books which were popular but were never accepted as Scripture. Some people call them the "other" writings or the "lost books" of the Bible.
Aug 25, 2020
What Does John Mean When He Writes About the Antichrist?
Dr. Constantinou discusses the Epistles of John. These Epistles are the only place in the New Testament where the word "antichrist" appears. What prompted John to talk about the antichrist? What was the situation in the Church at that time? The first epistle of John also contains some of the most memorable and beautiful verses in the Bible, which have inspired beautiful patristic statements.
Aug 18, 2020
Partakers of Divine Nature?
Dr. Constantinou presents her overview of 2 Peter. There was a controversy over the book when the Church was determining the canon of the New Testament. We will also explore the importance of the most famous verse in 2 Peter: that we will become "partakers of divine nature." We will recap our discussion of the person of Peter and why he was not the rock on which the church was founded, as well as answer a common Catholic defense against the ancient (i.e., Orthodox) interpretation. If there is ti...
Aug 11, 2020
What Is the Rock on Which the Church Is Built?
Dr. Constantinou begins her study of the epistles of St. Peter, beginning with an examination of his life and character. She examines the first epistle of Peter with emphasis on its unique passages, beginning with Peter's use of the terms "stone" and "rock" in light of Catholic claims of Peter as the rock on which the Church was established.
Aug 04, 2020
What is the Spiritual Benefit of Almsgiving?
Dr. Constantinou continues her exploration of the Book of James, following up first on the relationship between God and temptation. She also discusses the importance of doing good deeds, especially almsgiving, according to St. John Chrysostom. Why does he emphasize almsgiving so frequently? What spiritual benefits arise from almsgiving?
Jul 21, 2020
What Is the Purpose of Temptation?
Dr. Jeannie continues her exploration of the Book of James, focusing on the subject of faith and his encouragement to persevere during times of trials. James says that God does not tempt us with evil. We will discuss the question of temptation, its purpose and its relationship to God.
Jul 14, 2020
Is It Really Faith Vs. Works?
Dr. Constantinou begins an exploration of the General Epistles, starting with the book of James. Martin Luther hated this book and believed it should not be in the New Testament because of its famous statement, "Faith without works is dead." Is James suggesting that we are saved by works? At least three apostles named James are mentioned in the New Testament. Which James wrote this book anyway? Why is it so different from the epistles of Paul and what is the importance of our behavior in our sal...
Jul 07, 2020
How Does the Orthodox Church Understand the Sacrifice of Christ?
Dr. Jeannie continues her discussion on Hebrews and focuses this week on how the Orthodox Church uses the epistle readings from Hebrews during Great Lent to prepare us for Holy Week, and especially to give us a theological explanation of the sacrifice of Christ. The word "atonement" does not exist either in Greek or in Hebrew. But the use of that English word suggests a certain understanding of the death of Christ as "payment" which is not found in Orthodox Christianity. So how does the Orthodox...
Jun 30, 2020
Who was Melchizedek?
Dr. Jeannie continues her discussion on Hebrews and focuses on the mysterious person of Melchizedek. Who is this person that Hebrews mentions so often, and what does he have to do with Jesus Christ? In particular she looks at the word "atonement" and the so called debt that must be paid for our sins in order to satisfy God.
Jun 23, 2020
Are Church Canons Ever Outdated or Invalid?
Some of the canons of the Church are taken directly from the epistles of St. Paul, but how can we know which canons are permanent and unchanging and which are a product of their time and culture? Some canons seem "outdated." Are they ever "invalid"? How are the Orthodox canons different from the canons of the Catholic Church?
Jun 18, 2020
The Debate Over the Book of Hebrews
Dr. Constantinou discusses the book of Hebrews, a difficult and strange book for many Christians. It was hotly disputed in the early Church. Why did some people want to keep it out of the New Testament? Who was the author? Why and when was it written?
Jun 16, 2020
Slavery and the Early Church
The shortest Pauline epistle we have is a very personal one, addressed to Philemon, a Christian and friend of Paul, concerning Philemon's runaway slave named Onesimus. What does Paul ask of Philemon and why? Was Onesimus ever granted his freedom? How did someone become a slave during antiquity? Why didn't St. Paul or the Church condemn slavery outright? How were slaves treated as members of the Church? Join us as we discuss slavery in the Roman Empire and the epistle of Paul to Philemon.
Jun 09, 2020
Are church canons ever outdated or invalid? - Part 2
Some of the canons of the Church are taken directly from the epistles of St. Paul, but how can we know which canons are permanent and unchanging and which are a product of their time and culture? Some canons seem "outdated." Are they ever "invalid"? How are the Orthodox canons different from the canons of the Catholic Church? Join Dr. Jeannie Constantinou for an explanation of how the holy canons function in the life of the Church, and how they are interpreted and applied.
Jun 02, 2020
St. Paul on Women: Silence and Subjugation?
"I do not permit a woman to teach." "A woman will be saved through childbearing." People have misinterpreted and misconstrued those statements by St. Paul to subjugate and silence women through the centuries. Others have labeled St. Paul a misogynist. Why did St. Paul write these things to Timothy, and what did he mean by them? Listen as Dr. Jeannie Constantinou. looks at these verses in St. Paul's letter to Timothy.
May 29, 2020
Neither Male or Female in Christ?
Neither male nor female? Clean or unclean? And what does Eve have to do with all of this anyhow?
May 20, 2020
Early Heresy?
Dr. Constantinou begins the epistles to Timothy and Titus, personal letters of guidance from St. Paul to Timothy and Titus. Paul emphasizes sound doctrine. Were there really problems with heresy at this early stage? What does he say about the use of human reasoning when talking about God? What advice does Paul give them for being good church leaders?
May 05, 2020
Jesus, Icon of God?
Why is Jesus called the Icon of God? Why is Jesus called "the firstborn of creation" instead of Adam? Colossians contains one of the most important passages about the divine and human natures of Christ. Dr. Jeanniel examine it through the eyes of St. John Chrysostom and continue her study of St. Paul by taking a closer look at the book of Colossians.
Apr 28, 2020
Christians in Caesar's Household?
Dr. Constantinou continues her overview of the epistles of Paul. Can you believe that even in the time of Paul, there were Christians in Caesar's household? How do we know that? We will also look at an important feature found in Colossians and Ephesians about Christian life, as well as other important passages in those books which express the theology of the Church.
Apr 21, 2020
One of the Most Theologically Important Passages in the New Testament
We finish our discussion of Romans, including the final chapter which, although it appears very ordinary, actually contains interesting insights into the early church. After completing Romans, we will investigate Philippians, which contains one of the most theologically important passages in the New Testament. Fr. Costa joins Dr. Constantinou at the end to explore the humbling of Christ found in Philippians.
Apr 07, 2020
The Book of Romans: Inspiration for Luther and Reformation?
Dr. Constantinou continues her overview of the book of Romans, including the passage which inspired the theology of Martin Luther and led eventually to the Protestant Reformation, as well as the passage which prompted Augustine's view of original sin.
Mar 31, 2020
The Book of Romans in Christian History
Dr. Constantinou explores the book of Romans, the longest, most famous, and most influential of Paul's epistles. Romans has many unique features, but it has also played a singular role in Christian history. Join her as she presents an overview of this important book.
Mar 27, 2020
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