The Areopagus

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Mike discuss prominent Christians falling from grace, including comedian John Crist and Liberty University president Jerry Falwell, Jr. They finish up with the “Don’t Go to Church, Be the Church” slogan during the present pandemic. But first they begin with a listener question about whether schisms ever heal.

Shawn Raymer, a former ministry co-worker with Pastor Mike, has journeyed from mission work in the heart of the prophetic movement in the Pentecostal world to becoming an Orthodox Christian

Christian Gonzalez and Steven Christoforou are back with the Areopagites to talk ministry in the time of global pandemic -- live-streaming, virtual communion, Zoombombing, Daleks, bidets, mystically multiplying toilet paper, and a whole lot more!

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Mike wrestle with tough questions such as the return of the Orthodox Kevin Bacon to the show and the right response of Christians to the political process. (This episode was recorded before the onset of COVID-19 restrictions in the US, so that topic is not addressed.)

The Areopagites welcome Marc Richter, a long time friend of Pastor Mike, to the podcast to talk about his upbringing in the Roman Catholic Church, what led him away to Protestantism, and what is leading him back. They also introduce a new segment on the latest amazing public things said by religious leaders.

Epic fantasy novelist and Russian Orthodox deacon Nicholas Kotar joins the Areopagites to talk culture creation in a wide-ranging conversation including everything from Tolkien to Star Trek to techniques of story-writing and the place of religion in imaginative fiction.

Dr. Cyril Jenkins joins the Areopagites to talk about the rough and rowdy world of being Christian on the Internet. The conversation ranges from social media to education to reading to ministry and content creation online.

Are pagan gods just made-up stories? How many gods are there? Biblical scholar and AFR podcaster Fr. Stephen De Young returns to the Areopagus to talk with Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew about gods as depicted in the Bible, as understood and worshiped in the ancient world, and as seen in the historical Christian tradition.

The Areopagites compare notes from their respective Holy Week and Paschal worship traditions and even find some surprising points of contact. They also address an email they received after their last episode.

The Areopagites tackle the question of how religious communities engage in internal criticism, when and how that criticism can be received, as well as how and why it might be rejected. The discussion ranges throughout Protestantism, Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, with both drawing on their own experiences in multiple traditions.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael answer your questions, finally revealing the secrets behind Michael's relationship to the UCC, Fr. Andrew's thoughts on woodchucks who won't just chuck wood like they're supposed to, and how they both feel about secret agent Michael Scarn.

The Areopagites have the tables turned and get asked questions by their friend the 'Lost Areopagite,' Dr. Mike Petrow! Together they discuss liturgy both in its more technical sense and also in the sense that nearly everything we do in life is liturgical. They also discuss their first encounters with liturgical worship, how it changed them, and also struggles with reforming the liturgy of their da...

Fr Andrew and Pastor Michael welcome Brian Gillispie, worship leader at Wolfforth United Methodist Church in Lubbock, TX, and an avowed Areopagite, to talk about all things worship. What is worship and what does it do? Is there some value in contemporary worship? Are younger people turning to more traditional forms of worship? Is Timothy Dalton the unappreciated James Bond? Find out on this episod...

For the first time, Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael record with a live audience, hosted by the Eastern University Orthodox Christian Fellowship and the St. Basil Center for Orthodox Thought and Culture. Featured are two guests as well as a Q&A with the audience, discussing what the Church's mission in the world is and how it moves in that context.

The Areopagites welcome Fr. Stephen De Young, Orthodox priest, Biblical scholar and Ancient Faith podcaster and blogger, to discuss his work on understanding the Bible and the Church Fathers better in terms of the ancient religious mindset, especially Second Temple Judaism. Topics discussed: The Holy Trinity, venerating the Theotokos, giants, Voltron and William Shatner.

Fr. Andrew and Pastor Michael begin Season 2 of the Areopagus with a wide-ranging chat covering clergy scandals, worship and church styles, catechism, and clergy marriage in the Orthodox Church. It's classic coffee talk with just our two hosts!

Fr. Theodore Petrides returns to the Areopagus for the second part of this two-part discussion focusing on the Jesus Prayer. What are the conditions needed for this prayer? How is it practiced? What does it accomplish? Dr. Mike Petrow also joins for this intimate and in-depth conversation.

The Areopagites welcome back Fr. Theodore Petrides to discuss the topic of prayer, particularly the Jesus Prayer. In this first part of two, Dr. Mike Petrow sits in for Pastor Michael, who will return for part 2 of this illuminating discussion on a central piece of Christian life.

The Areopagites recorded their 27th episode while also broadcasting live on Facebook video. They start by discussing Evangelical preacher Andy Stanley's claim that Christians need to 'unhitch' their faith from the Old Testament but then get into taking live questions from the Facebook audience.

Welcoming back Professors Jenkins and Tighe, the Areopagites engage with them in a free-for-all on the Reformation, beginning with some surprising survey results about American Protestants, who increasingly no longer believe in key distinctive Reformation doctrines.

The Areopagites welcome Professors Cyril Jenkins and William Tighe to discuss J.R.R. Tolkien and the summer program of the St. Basil Center for Orthodox Thought and Culture, which is focused on Tolkien's works.

Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew welcome Fr. Theodore Petrides, a frequent pilgrim to the Holy Mountain of Athos and the Holy Land (and who led Fr. Andrew's recent pilgrimage to Athos) to discuss his experiences with miracles, pilgrimage and spiritual fatherhood. Dr. Mike Petrow also joins in, and they explore this beautiful spiritual space together.

The Areopagites welcome Arthur Hatton, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, a counselor, a former Mormon and now Orthodox Christian. They talk faith, doubt and feelings as they are expressed in both Mormonism and classical Christianity. At the end of the interview, Arthur mentioned his music project which can be accessed HERE.

The Areopagites bring back Dr. Mike Petrow to talk Star Wars: The Last Jedi (spoilers!), but mostly to discuss their lives over the past year, what they've learned, and how they've changed. Secrets will be revealed, and Fr. Andrew has way too much fun with a sound effects app.

Pastor Michael and Fr. Andrew welcome Michael's dad, Dr. Michael Landsman. They talk about his conversion from Judaism to Christianity and his experience in the Charismatic movement, as well as dealing with disappointment and longevity over 45 years of ministry. They also talk about Fr. Andrew's new book - Bearing God: The Life and Works of St. Ignatius of Antioch the God-Bearer.