Originally published on July 31, 2016. Father Pat’s Pastoral Ponderings Human freedom is an experience before it is a concept. Indeed, even as concept, freedom is extremely elusive. It is hardly surprising that modern science, concerned with precision and objectivity, is distinctly uncomfortable with it. The “scientific method,” with its emphasis on … [Read more...] about Pastoral Ponderings: The Analogy of Freedom
Philosophy & Theology
Myth of Enchantment
By Peter Leithart Once upon a time, magic was a mighty force, but not anymore. Once Britain was filled with fairies, but no one ever sees an elf nowadays. My opening paragraph may sound like a tale from Max Weber or Charles Taylor, but the first sentence summarizes a regular motif of English folklore and the second is a paraphrase of part of the “Wife of … [Read more...] about Myth of Enchantment
A Friend is Revealed in Times of Trouble
By Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov Much has been written about original sin. The Scripture is quite laconic about what happened. Adam and Eve—they!—stole a piece of fruit. Surely, the original sin was not theft. Many correctly say that it was disobedience. But there has to be more—much more!—to the story. Making a rule just for its own sake, for the sake of … [Read more...] about A Friend is Revealed in Times of Trouble
Islam: Through the Heart and Mind of a Convert to Orthodox Christianity – Part 2
Part 2 if this interview takes us deep into the life of a young man who converts to Islam at the age of fourteen, and goes on to devote his life totally to his newly discovered faith, not only robustly practicing all the Islamic precepts, but going on to study for three years in a Muslim seminary to become an imam, where he learns Arabic, and intensively studies the Quran, … [Read more...] about Islam: Through the Heart and Mind of a Convert to Orthodox Christianity – Part 2
An Unpublished Life of Fr. Seraphim Rose, Written By His Godfather
Source: Orthodox Christianity. Reprinted with permission. By Dimitri Andrault de Langeron The story behind this text: My name is Gregory and around the years 2003-2006 I had the honor of spending time with, praying with and listening to the spiritual words of a truly humble man who loved Orthodoxy with all his heart. I speak of Dimitri Langeron, who lives with his wife … [Read more...] about An Unpublished Life of Fr. Seraphim Rose, Written By His Godfather