"Love is the fulfillment of the Law." St. Paul brackets his statements of advice for the Roman Christians by returning to the subject of love. It is easy to talk about love or to believe that we are loving toward our fellow human beings. But what do the holy Fathers tell us about how this commandment to love ought to be demonstrated in the ordinary situations of daily life?
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." The first few verses of Romans 13 are the basis for what has traditionally been called "the Divine Right of Kings." On the basis of this section of Romans, monarchs claimed that worldly powers received their authority from God, and for that reason, the populace was obligated to obey them. The question of the relationship between Christians and the government continues to provoke debate, no less than during the recent COVID pandemic. Did...
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." The first few verses of Romans 13 are the basis for what has traditionally been called "the Divine Right of Kings." On the basis of this section of Romans, monarchs claimed that worldly powers received their authority from God, and for that reason, the populace was obligated to obey them. The question of the relationship between Christians and the government continues to provoke debate, no less than during the recent COVID pandemic. Did...
We will continue discussing Paul's words of encouragement in Romans 12. After his description of spiritual gifts and how they ought to be used both within the community and to help those outside the Church, he turns his attention to address how we ought to react to those who oppose us. This passage contains one of the most peculiar verses in Romans: that by being kind even to one's enemy, we thereby "heap burning coals on his head." This strange comment has resulted in much confusion. But it lea...
The final chapters of Romans are among the most poetic and inspirational passages of the entire Bible. As we continue our deep dive into Romans 12, we will uncover the richness and power of Paul's pastoral instructions and the patristic application to our lives.
"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." This famous verse introduces a new section of Romans which focuses on Christian phronema: our lifestyle and manner of thought. What do the Orthodox mean by terms like "illumination" and "sanctification" and "deification"? How do such terms relate to Paul's instructions in Romans 12 and elsewhere in Romans about the correct Christian attitude and way of life?
Paul has finished his discussion of the future of the Jewish people and their role in the plan of salvation. Now, in Chapter 12, he begins a new section of Romans, a new section of the letter, the "paranesis" which contains many of the most memorable passages of Romans. Paul began by telling us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed. What did he mean by that?
Paul struggled to understand why his own people rejected the Messiah. His conclusion was surprising: it was part of the plan of God that the Jewish people did not accept the Christ. Why? And does this mean that they had no choice? What will happen to the Jews in the future? Join us as we continue in the book of Romans with a discussion of chapter11 and conclude Paul's thoughts on the Jewish rejection of Jesus.
What did Paul mean that Jesus became "a curse"? Does that mean that he was cursed by God? If we are saved by faith, How do we know what the Bible means by "faith"? Is it intellectual conviction or something more than that? Join us as we continue our discussion of Romans 9 to 11 and St. Paul's thoughts on the question of Jewish unbelief in Jesus.
After years of evangelization, in Romans 9 Paul expresses his deep anguish over the fact that most Jews have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah. Since the Messiah was promised to the Jewish people and God is faithful to His promises, why did most Jews reject the Lord's Messiah?
What does it mean to live in the Spirit? Paul articulated the grace received through baptism and recognized that nonetheless a spiritual struggle continues within us. Paul turns his attention in Romans 8 to the work of the Spirit in the life of the Christian. How does the Spirit work within us? If baptism and Chrismation alone are not enough, what are we to do and how does the cross of Christ relate to all of this? These and other topics are discussed on Search the Scriptures LIVE!
Having explained the grace we receive in the Mystery of Holy Illumination in Romans 6, St. Paul is nonetheless completely honest about the reality of Christian life and the continuous spiritual struggle required. He expresses the experience of all of us. Too often we do what we do not want to do, and what we actually want to do is not what we end up doing. Why is this the case and what can we do about it? Dr. Jeannie Constantinou explains.
Having established that we are saved by Christ not the Law of Moses, justified because we believe in him, Paul continues his careful exposition in Romans to explain the effects of this new reality. How does the salvation achieved by Christ for all humanity occur for an individual person? In Romans 6, Paul explains that "justification" marks only the beginning of the process of salvation. After accepting Christ's justification we must continue by actively seeking illumination and sanctification....
Dr. Constantinou discusses Paul's explanation of baptism. Romans 6 is the most important passage in the New Testament for the Orthodox understanding of what baptism is and its role in the Christian life. Why does Paul discuss baptism at this point? What does it have to do with everything that came before—salvation by faith, Abraham and his faith, Adam and the fall?
Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of Romans 5, especially St. Augustine's ideas about sin. His writings tremendously impacted what Western Christianity thought—and still believes—about sin and also about God. Why do wrong ideas about the nature of sin lead to wrong ideas about God?
In Romans 5, Paul explains the role of Christ in salvation in relation to Adam. How can Christ be a "type" of Adam, since Adam sinned and Christ did not? Does this chapter support the interpretation of universal salvation? Since all "died in Adam," will all "live in Christ"? Western Christian understanding of sin and its effects on the human race was strongly influenced by Augustine's interpretation of Romans 5:12. From Augustine's faulty interpretation, the concept of "original sin" was born an...
Dr. Jeannie wraps up her overview of the state of the Latin Church during the Middle Ages, especially the papacy. She will then turn her attention to Romans chapter 4 and St. Paul's brilliant and important insight about Abraham.
Dr. Constantinou presents an overview of the developments in the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages which led to the Protestant Reformation. Why did the Reformation happen?
Dr. Constantinou continues her study of Romans 3 and the meaning of justification. As we move forward into chapter 4, St. Paul introduces the figure of Abraham, considered by Jews to be a model of Torah obedience. Paul's insight into Abraham's character led to a profound shift in his thoughts about the Law and created an entirely different kind of life for Gentile believers.
Dr. Constantinou continues her study of Romans by delving into chapter 3, in which Paul explains that no one is righteous in the sight of God. Fr. Costas will join us for an in-depth discussion of the meaning of that very important word in Romans: "righteousness" or "justification." What is the history and nuance, Greek and Jewish, behind this word? What did it mean in Paul's culture to be "justified"?
Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of the Beast of the Sea, also known as the Antichrist, of Revelation 13, specifically focusing on the "mark of the beast." What is the mark and how does one receive the mark? What form might this take in the future? We will also respond to a listener's email question about the fall of the devil from heaven and look at St. John Chrysostom's comments on the power of the Devil.
Dr. Constantinou continues her study of Romans. Did anyone notice that what St. Paul said in chapter 1 about the connection between mind and behavior is completely consistent with Orthodox theology and spirituality? In chapter 2, Paul continues his analysis and we will turn our attention toward the Jews. The pagans were very proud of their worldly wisdom. Did the Jews have any reason to "boast" according to Paul?
Dr. Constantinou continues her study of Romans. Paul was free to communicate with the Church of Rome since it had no apostolic founder (he was "not building on another man's foundation"). But did the absence of an apostolic presence create a specific need that Paul felt called to fulfill for the Church of Rome? As we continue in chapter 1, we will encounter St. Paul's "thesis statement" for this epistle: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel." Why does Paul feel the need to begin his discussion wi...
Dr. Constantinou begins delving into the first chapter of Romans and also continues to discuss the early Church of Rome. What were their lives like? What became of those first Roman Christians?
Search the Scriptures LIVE returns with a new series on the book of Romans. What do we know about the origins of the Church of Rome? Why did St. Paul write to them? And why did St. Paul feel the need to explain to a church community he had never met his views on the Law of Moses? Did Paul teach that good deeds contribute nothing to our salvation, but that we are saved by "faith alone"?
Dr. Constantinou concludes her discussion of the book of Revelation by discussing the kingdom of heaven. What do the images of the heavenly city mean? How do we understand the descriptions of life in the kingdom of heaven?
Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion about hell and judgment, primarily focusing on arguments which are being currently promoted that hell is not eternal. Is that a possibility? She considers the arguments in the light of the Scriptures, the words of the Lord, Church history, the Fathers, and the Tradition of the Church. Do they conflict? Is there "reason for hope"? What consideration should be given to these arguments?
Dr. Constantinou continues her discussion of Revelation by focusing on the judgment and punishment as it is described in Chapter 20. On what basis will we be judged? Will punishment be eternal? What about the arguments that hell is not eternal?
Tonight on Search the Scriptures LIVE!, we will be discussing Armageddon and the Millennium. Is Armageddon World War III? Who will be involved in the fighting? How long will it last? When the Lord returns, will He establish an earthly kingdom and reign over it for 1,000 years?
Dr. Constantinou continues her study of Revelation, looking at Chapters 14 through 19, with special focus on the pouring out of the seven bowls of plagues, the appearance of the harlot, and the fall of Babylon. She also discusses the purpose of the plagues. Why will God send plagues at the end times?
