The Daily Reviewer | Speaking the Truth in Love

Predestination

Mar 14, 2010 8:36pm

How does the historic Christian Church interpret the scriptural passages that seem to teach we were predestined for salvation as well as damnation. Fr. Thomas takes a straight forward look at what it means and what it doesn't mean. ...

Does God Play Favorites?

Feb 26, 2010 12:11pm

Fr. Tom addresses a question that came in by email from a listener who is perplexed by the seemingly inequitable treatment of people by God. Why are some blessed and others experience so much turmoil? It's a common question that is often felt but not always expressed. ...

The Body

Feb 22, 2010 1:16pm

What is the place of the human body in our spiritual life? ...

The Sunday of Orthodoxy

Feb 19, 2010 7:38pm

As we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the victory over iconoclasm, Fr. Tom gives a personal reflection on icons and their use and misuse. ...

A Homily For The Beginning Of Lent

Feb 13, 2010 9:16am

As the Lenten season begins, Fr. Tom Hopko reads a brief sermon penned by Fr. John Parker of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC. This sermon was written in the style and tradition of St. John Chrysostom's well known and loved Paschal Homily. ...

Darwin and Christianity - Part 4

Feb 11, 2010 6:26pm

In part 4 of Fr. Tom Hopko's talks on the Darwinian revolution, he looks at what Charles Darwin may have experienced in terms of Christianity in his day. ...

Studying and Communicating the Church Fathers

Feb 9, 2010 6:40pm

Today Fr. Tom talks about the study and communication of the Fathers of the Church according to Archimandrite Vasileios, retired Abbot of the Iviron Monastery on Mt. Athos. ...

Theological Reflections On Calamity

Feb 4, 2010 11:44am

How should we reflect on calamity and disasters like what was experienced in Haiti from a Christian perspective? Is God exacting judgment or is there another explanation? Fr. Tom Hopko helps us think this through. ...

The Prodigal Son and The Father’s House

Feb 3, 2010 10:52am

Fr. Thomas takes a second look at the story of The Prodigal Son, this time focusing on the meaning of The Father's House. ...

Doctrinal Development

Jan 31, 2010 11:18pm

Today Fr. Tom talks about theological formulation and explanation in the Orthodox Christian Church. ...

The Prodigal Son, The Elder Brother, The Merciful Father

Jan 31, 2010 10:52am

In the first of two meditations on the story known as The Prodigal Son, Fr. Tom takes a look at the three characters in the drama. ...

Speaking Out For Life

Jan 29, 2010 9:34pm

Fr. Tom was unable to attend the March for Life rally in Washington DC earlier this week but he did think about what he would have said had he been given the opportunity to speak. ...

Meeting of Christ in the Temple

Jan 28, 2010 10:59pm

Fr. Hopko explains that this feast marks the end of the Winter Pascha and the beginning of the season of repentance. ...

Christianity in the Time of Darwin

Jan 26, 2010 1:29pm

In part 3 of the Darwin series, Fr. Tom explores the Darwin era and what was happening at that time in Christianity. ...

Reflections on the Life and Work of Charles Darwin

Jan 23, 2010 11:18am

Fr. Tom continues his series on Darwin and Christianity. This is part 2. ...

Darwin and Christianity - Part 1

Jan 20, 2010 7:51pm

What is the relationship between the concepts of natural selection and Christian theology? Fr. Tom begins a series of reflections on Charles Darwin and what he has learned in his research may surprise you! ...

A Conversation With St. Seraphim On The Holy Spirit

Jan 14, 2010 4:11am

Fr. Tom Hopko talks about St. Seraphim's conversation with Nicholas Motovilov on "acquisition of the Holy Spirit." ...

Acquisition of the Holy Spirit

Jan 7, 2010 11:04am

St. Seraphim of Sarov taught that the aim of the Christian life is to live by the Spirit of God. Today Fr. Tom explores the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. ...

Theophany - The Radiant Shining Forth!

Jan 6, 2010 5:53pm

From the Speaking the Truth in Love archives, Fr. Tom Hopko offers this very helpful meditation on the feast of Theophany. ...

Circumcised on the 8th Day

Jan 2, 2010 1:57pm

Enthroned on high with the Eternal Father and Your divine Spirit, O Jesus, You willed to be born on earth of the unwedded handmaid, your Mother. Therefore You were circumcised as an eight-day old Child. Glory to Your most gracious counsel; glory to Your dispensation; glory to Your condescension, O...

God Is With Us!

Dec 24, 2009 4:10pm

In a new reflection, Fr. Thomas Hopko teaches about the virgin birth and the significance of this Orthodox dogma on the identify of Christ. ...

Nativity, Epiphany, and Pascha - Patterns of Worship

Dec 22, 2009 9:50am

Fr. Thomas Hopko presents a meditation on how the liturgical services of Christmas and Epiphany pattern those of the Christ’s Holy Pascha of Easter. ...

The Genealogies

Dec 19, 2009 10:56am

What is the significance of all of those "begats" in the Gospel lesson just before Nativity? Fr. Tom breaks it down for us in the current episode. ...

The Fathers Prepare

Dec 12, 2009 8:56am

On the 1st two Sundays before Christmas, we commerate and sing about all of the faithful throughout the ages who prepared for the birth of Christ. Fr. Tom references the book "Surprised by Chris"t by Fr. A. James Bernstein which is available from Conciliar Press. ...

Come and See

Dec 4, 2009 11:10am

We are invited like Philip invited Nathaniel to “come and see”, really see as we fix our hearts and minds on Christ the Savior during this paschal lenten season. ...

A Saturday Afternoon Reflection

Nov 30, 2009 4:18pm

On a beautiful fall afternoon at the family home in Canada, Fr. Tom is reflecting on the disparity between the beauty of God's creation and the tremendous suffering happening in the world. ...

A Deeper Level of Thanksgiving

Nov 25, 2009 10:06am

Fr. Tom encourages us to remember the place of gratitude and thanksgiving in the Christian life and tells us how we can go deeper and higher into the meaning of gratitude. ...

The Entrance of the Theotokos Into the Temple

Nov 20, 2009 12:31pm

Fr. Tom teaches on this significant feast at the beginning of the Nativity season. ...

On Sadness and Grief in Human Life

Nov 15, 2009 8:03am

God grieves, we grieve, and life is often permeated with sadness. What does this mean when we also contemplate the "joy" of the Christian life? ...

The Nativity Fast

Nov 14, 2009 10:22am

As we are in the beginning days of the Nativity fast, Fr. Tom takes us on a journey from the Presentation of Mary in the Temple to Theophany. Fr. Tom referenced a couple of resources: Winter Pascha by Fr. Tom Hopko Putting Christmas Back into Christ-CD series by Fr. Tom Hopko ...

Angels and Demons

Nov 9, 2009 4:25am

Having just celebrated the Feast of the Angels, Fr. Tom asks - Who are the angels and the demons? Were the demons created evil? Can they repent? Get the answer to these questions and much more in this episode. ...

Anger and Wrath in Human Life

Nov 4, 2009 7:47am

Following his two part series on the Wrath of God, Fr. Tom turns his attention to our own anger and wrath and how that differs from God's. ...

The Wrath Of God - Part 2

Oct 25, 2009 3:03pm

Fr. Thomas continues to get listener feedback on his teaching on God's wrath. In this follow-up lesson, he explores further how the Scriptures and the Fathers express this difficult concept as compared to the hellenistic and platonic views sometimes expressed through history. ...

The Wrath Of God

Oct 6, 2009 11:05am

Fr. Tom Hopko addresses an issue that he gets the most email about - how are we to understand the wrath of God and how does it relate to our salvation? ...

The Protecting Veil Of The Holy Theotokos

Oct 1, 2009 7:28am

Whether you celebrate it on October 1 or on October 28 (traditions differ), you will enjoy Fr. Thomas' account of how the Mother of God protected a Constantinople church from an invading army, and how that inspires our own worship. ...

A Reflection on the Past 50 Years of the Orthodox Church

Sep 18, 2009 3:47pm

Sitting in his study, Fr. Tom reflects on the past 50 years of the Orthodox Church. August marked the 46th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. ...

The Universal Exaltation Of The Precious And Life-Giving Cross

Sep 11, 2009 9:04am

Celebrating one of the twelve great feasts of the Church (Click here to view the children's choir Fr. Thomas mentions in the podcast). ...

A Christian Response To Terrorism

Sep 11, 2009 6:52am

Fr. Tom follows up on his thoughts on suffering and pain by looking specifically at the events of 9-11-2001. ...

When Bishops Disappoint

Sep 9, 2009 12:23pm

Throughout the history of the Church, there have been moments of scandal and disappointment with various hierarchs of the Church. How are we to respond as faithful Orthodox Christians? Fr. Tom shares his reflections. ...

The Gate Facing East

Sep 4, 2009 7:36pm

Fr. Thomas teaches about the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos. ...

Happy New (Church) Year!

Aug 28, 2009 12:16pm

September 1 marks the beginning of the Church year and Fr. Tom Hopko is meditating on the meaning of times and seasons in Church life. ...

The Greatest Born Of Woman - St. John The Baptist - Part 2

Aug 27, 2009 11:01pm

In commemoration of the Feast of his beheading, Fr. Tom continues his discussion of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John. ...

Crossroad- Orthodox Youth Take The Challenge - Part 2

Aug 25, 2009 10:27am

Fr. Tom speaks with 2 students and a leader in the Crossroad program. ...

The Greatest Born Of Woman - St. John The Baptist - Part 1

Aug 20, 2009 11:59am

With the Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John approaching (August 29), Fr. Thomas examines the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John. ...

Crossroad- Orthodox Youth Take The Challenge

Aug 11, 2009 5:48pm

Fr. Tom interviews the leaders of the Crossroad program at Hellenic College in Brookline, MA. Crossroad is intended to help High School students discern their life callings, matching their personal gifts with the needs of the world. His guests are Ann Bezzerides, Mary Long, and Dan Belonic. He referenced in...

The Resurrection School of Theology in Albania

Aug 8, 2009 10:32am

In his final interview series from Albania, Fr. Tom talks with John and Alex from the Resurrection School of Theology in Albania. ...

4 U.S. Missionaries to Albania

Jul 29, 2009 3:53pm

In his continuing interview series from Albania, Fr. Tom interviews four US missionaries including full time OCMC missionary Pamela Anastasia Barksdale. ...

Missionary to Albania Nathan Hoppe

Jul 12, 2009 10:11am

The next interview from Albania is with veteran OCMC missionary Nathan Hoppe. Fr. Tom references a recording of Nathan's late wife Lynette made only a week or two before she died. That recording was featured on AFR in an interview with Fr. Luke Veronis and can be heard HERE. You...

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania

Jul 1, 2009 1:10pm

Fr. Thomas took the traveling Ancient Faith Radio microphone with him to Albania and captured several fascinating interviews there. Today we begin with this wonderful conversation between Fr. Tom and Archbishop Anastasios where we will learn about the circumstances that brought the Archbishop there as well as the current work...

A Chosen Instrument of Mine - St. Paul

Jun 27, 2009 7:54am

Fr. Thomas shows how, despite his persecution of the early Church, St. Paul was indeed an Apostle-- by having seen the risen Lord and through his suffering. ...

Keys to the Kingdom - St. Peter

Jun 27, 2009 7:52am

Fr. Thomas discusses "the rock" upon whom Christ built His Church and St. Peter's role in that early Church. ...

The Apostle’s Fast

Jun 16, 2009 10:26am

What is this current fasting period all about? We reach back into the archives and re-introduce this helpful teaching from Fr. Tom originally given last year. ...

The Roots of Pentecost

Jun 6, 2009 9:54am

Fr. Thomas looks at the roots of Pentecost-- the coming of the Spirit-- in Old Testament worship. ...

The God Who Works Wonders

Jun 4, 2009 10:19am

Psalm 77 (76 in the Septuagint) is the basis of a favorite hymn in the Orthodox Church - Who Is So Great A God As Our God? Our God is the God Who Works Wonders! ...

Sunday of the Fathers

May 31, 2009 8:36am

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the seventh Sunday of Pascha-- the Sunday between Ascension and Pentecost. ...

Ascension

May 27, 2009 7:13am

Fr. Thomas rejoices in the enthronement of the crucified One, raised and glorified. ...

Fr. Tom Hopko Interviews Fr. Steve Tsichlis

May 22, 2009 10:06am

Fr. Tom is on the road and chats with Fr. Steve Tsichlis of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA. Learn about and be encouraged with this outreach minded parish and priest. ...

The Samaritan Woman At The Well

May 15, 2009 11:19am

Fr. Thomas looks at the Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Pascha-- a miraculous sign that at first glance doesn't seem to involve a miracle. ...

The Healing of the Paralytic

May 6, 2009 9:53am

Fr. Thomas enumerates the seven great messianic signs of Jesus in St. John's Gospel, focusing on the healing of the paralytic at Bethesda. ...

The Myrrhbearing Women

May 1, 2009 2:12pm

Fr. Thomas examines who the Myrrhbearing Women were and clears up some misconceptions about Mary Magdalene in the process. ...

Thomas Sunday

Apr 25, 2009 1:41pm

Father Thomas educates us on why the Sunday a week after our Lord's Resurrection is also called Antipascha. ...

The Descent Of Jesus Into Hades

Apr 24, 2009 1:14pm

Fr. Thomas uses the Paschal icon as an opportunity to clear up some misconceptions about Sheol/Hades and Gahenna/Hell. ...

Christ Is Risen - Truly He Is Risen

Apr 18, 2009 11:56pm

On this, the greatest of all Feast Days, Fr. Thomas explains what we, as Orthodox Christians, know for certain about Jesus Christ. ...

Great and Holy Week - Part 2

Apr 18, 2009 2:35pm

Fr. Thomas continues his examination of Passion Week with Jesus' teachings on the final judgement. ...

Great and Holy Friday

Apr 17, 2009 1:50pm

Fr. Thomas examines the Mystery of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and how it led to the re-creation of the world. ...

Great And Holy Week - Part 1

Apr 13, 2009 3:28am

The week before Pascha begins with the Bridegroom Matins. Christ is the Bridegroom and we are the Bride, joined in perfect unity through His crucifixion. ...

Hosanna!

Apr 12, 2009 3:17pm

Fr. Thomas takes a closer look at the "Celebration of the Kingship of Christ". ...

Lazarus Saturday

Apr 10, 2009 1:49pm

Fr. Thomas explores the ultimate Messianic sign from the Gospel of St. John. ...

Great Lent - Week 6

Apr 8, 2009 2:11pm

In this last week of Great Lent, Father Thomas connects the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with Christ's raising from the dead of the actual Lazarus. ...

St. Mary of Egypt

Apr 4, 2009 12:50pm

Fr. Thomas contrasts the story of the fallen, then raised Mary of Alexandria with that of another Mary-- the Theotokos. 17:16. ...

Lent Week 5 - part 2

Apr 4, 2009 12:47pm

Fr. Thomas gives an overview of the services for the 5th week of Great Lent and their final emphasis on penitance and repentance. 18:38. ...

Lent Week 5

Apr 1, 2009 1:32am

Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the 5th Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is dependent on suffering with Him. ...

St. John of the Ladder

Mar 29, 2009 12:44pm

It is at this point in our Lenten journey that the Church contemplates the instruction of St. John Climacus and his Ladder of Divine Ascent. Fr. Tom takes us step by step through this treasure and makes it practical for us non-monastics! ...

The Annunciation

Mar 24, 2009 1:56pm

On March 25, exactly 9 months before Nativity, the Church celebrates the Annunciation to the Theotokos that she will be the Mother of God. God's declaration through the angel Gabriel, however, had a contingency attached. Listen to find out what it was. ...

Sunday of the Cross

Mar 22, 2009 1:10pm

On the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross. ...

Read the Bible During Lent

Mar 19, 2009 6:41pm

Looking for an inspiring book to read during Lent? Try the Bible! Fr. Tom specifically recommends certain books of the Bible during this season. ...

St. Gregory Palamas - 2nd Sunday of Great Lent

Mar 13, 2009 3:34pm

On the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent we remember St. Gregory Palamas and Fr. Tom instructs us on why he is so important in our theology about knowing the unknowable God. ...

The Triumph of Orthodoxy

Mar 7, 2009 6:00pm

You won't find a more concise and helpful explanation of why Orthodox Christians keep and venerate icons. ...

The Names of Jesus—Christ

Mar 6, 2009 4:53pm

Fr. Hopko continues his series on the names of Jesus, this time focusing on the name Christ, which means "the anointed one." Next week, he will revisit the appellation Son of God. ...

Forgiveness Sunday 2 - Asking for Forgiveness

Mar 2, 2009 4:26pm

Fr. Tom considers the act of asking for forgiveness, as well as who it is we hurt when we sin. ...

Forgiveness Sunday- The Expulsion of Adam

Feb 27, 2009 9:40pm

Fr. Tom reflects upon the expulsion of Adam from Paradise, one of the two themes of Forgiveness Sunday. ...

The Names of Jesus—Son of God

Feb 27, 2009 6:04pm

Fr. Tom discusses Christ's divinity. Jesus is human, yes, but he is also God! ...

The Sunday of the Last Judgment

Feb 20, 2009 4:58pm

Fr. Tom reflects upon Matthew 25:31 - 46, the Parable of the Last Judgment ...

A President’s Day Reflection

Feb 18, 2009 9:54pm

Fr. Tom traces the history of America's secular religion, paying particular attention to that religion's cherished patriarchs and dogmas, in a special podcast dedicated to this week's President's Day. ...

The Names of Jesus - 1

Feb 16, 2009 2:35am

A brand new series! Each episode, Fr. Tom will address one of the names of Christ. He begins by examining "Jesus," which means "God saves." ...

The Prodigal Son, The Elder Brother, The Merciful Father

Feb 13, 2009 9:54pm

In the first of two meditations on the story known as The Prodigal Son, Fr. Tom takes a look at the three characters in the drama. ...

The Publican and the Pharisee

Feb 10, 2009 9:24pm

Fr. Tom teaches on the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee as we prepare for the Lenten season. ...

The Great Festival of the Three Holy Hierarchs

Feb 7, 2009 3:47am

What do Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom mean to the Orthodox Church? Try "light, wisdom, and pastoral care." Fr. Hopko explains why we celebrate these unique and holy men. ...

The January Ascetic Fathers

Jan 31, 2009 7:53pm

As we bring the month of January to a close, Fr. Tom thinks back on the spiritual fathers we have celebrated during this month in particular, St. Anthony. The following resources were recommended: Saying of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical CollectionTranslated by Sister Benedicta Ward The Arena: An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism...

The Day After and The Day Before

Jan 24, 2009 5:36am

Fr. Tom recorded this on Jan 21 - the day after the inauguration of President Barak Obama and the day before the March for Life in Washington DC. He draws on Scripture, Tradition and St. Maximus to help us know how to react to rampant abortions in our world. ...

Compelling Commentary on Christian Belief and Behavior - Teaching and reflections by Fr. Thomas Hopko

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