Search the Scriptures Live

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" ac...

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 e...

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...

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?

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

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...

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 tribulati...

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 lif...

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...

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 ques...

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 tha...

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?

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?”

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 c...

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.

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...

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.

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?

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.

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? Wh...