Simply Orthodox

What's the difference between true humility and false humility, as the desert Fathers saw it? Today we refer to ourselves as "The Most Unworthy Servant of Christ." But some of the desert Fathers would have identified such language as an example of counterfeit humility. True humility doesn't call attention to our unworthiness, but to God's greatness. It functions as a powerful influence in the lives of others, not ourselves. In one of the Saying of the Desert Fathers, we're told that St. John the Dwarf was so humble that he had his entire community "hanging from his little finger!" Hear why this was so.

Detachment was the first step to the monks’ renunciation of their possessions and flight to the desert.  The Fathers knew that by accumulating lots of things in the cell, one could have a rather pleasant and comfortable life.  So even little things had to go! By application, we city dwellers can own our possessions so long as our possessions do not own us!  More than that, sometimes even our personal reputations have to be put on the line for the gospel.  Listen to how the desert Fathers show us what to do with our possessions and how to regard ourselves before God and others.

The desert Fathers post three Wrong Way signs on the road to Christian living. The signs keep us from believing that (1) the body is evil, (2) fasting, prayer and other spiritual practices are "ends in themselves" and (3) we can "earn" our way to heaven by doing good works! This podcast will keep us on a spiritually safe road if we obey the Wrong Way signs God has posted for our protection.

Get Ready for Battle! In this podcast Professor Nassif asks the monks "What's the right way, and the wrong way, to fight against the world, the flesh and the devil?" The desert Fathers teach us that before we get into this spiritual arena, we should expect discomfort, and that the true meaning of perfection in the Christian life does not look for "flawlessness" but "change." The monks counsel us on how to prepare our hearts before engaging in the hard work of holiness.

What's the problem? What gets in the way of our goal to loving God and others? One monk, Evagrius, tells us "the passions" are our problem. Dr. Nassif explains what "the passions" are and how to fight them. He explains the lifelong battle between "the flesh" versus "the Spirit." If you're a monk, or a city-dweller, this podcast will map out the terrain of our spiritual warfare and show you the way to victory through our baptismal beginnings in Christ.

There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to developing intimacy with God, such as Bible study and prayer. Rather, the monks teach us a variety of new ways of relating to God that meet our needs in deep and lasting ways. In this podcast, Dr. Nassif talks about "the journey" of applying spiritual practices taken from the lives of the desert Fathers.

What is the goal of the monastic life? Why all that fasting, prayer, silence, meditation and so forth? What's behind it all? Dr. Nassif looks for the answer in a most unexpected place: The inner life of the Holy Trinity! He shares how "love" is the goal of the monastic life-- Love for God and love for neighbor.

Pachomius: A Man of Scripture and Humility. Dr. Nassif explores the biography of St. Pachomius, the founder of communal monasticism. Important insights are shared on a central goal of Christian parenting, and the true nature of Church leadership. Parents and Church leaders will grow from the life of this great desert Father!

Who were some of the great personalities of the desert? Is there anything we city dwellers can apply from their lives? Today we begin by looking at the greatest of all monks -- a common man of uncommon holiness -- St. Anthony of Egypt.

The lives of the desert Fathers are filled with miraculous stories. Some go beyond "normal" miracles; other stories tell of fascinating and highly imaginative encounters between monks and wild animals. But are these miracles and stories fact or fiction? Dr. Nassif offers theological wisdom in assessing what CS Lewis called "The Fact of Myth". This podcast will keep you both honest and holy!

Why the desert...? Dr. Nassif discusses the lure of the desert and what its landscapes taught the monks -- and us today!"

What caused the monastic movement to arise in such dramatic ways in the life of the Orthodox Church? Dr. Nassif explains the historical and spiritual motivations behind the greatest renewal movement in the history of Orthodoxy. Get your camels ready for a fascinating journey into the heart of the desert!

Dr. Nassif begins a series of talks titled Desert Spirituality for City Folks.  He surveys opposing views on the legitimacy of the monastic life, then shows how central the monastic tradition has been to the Orthodox Church, and why it is important for us today.  This series is an abbreviated selection of just a few of the talks he gives on Orthodox spirituality throughout our Churches in North America and Canada.

Dr. Nassif goes to San Diego to take listeners down the aisle of the premier academic guild called the Society of Biblical Literature. He introduces you to the work of the organization, what Orthodox scholars are doing there, and how we might respond to the challenge of religious diversity today.

Dr. Nassif speaks to the monks of the Church -- and to all of us -- about the nature of the monastic life and the influence of the monks upon the Church.

Dr. Nassif discusses the role of the Bible in the work of St. John Chrysostom. Priests, teachers and parents will not want to miss this important podcast!

In a two-part series, Dr. Nassif introduces us to the life and teachings of St. John Chrysostom -- the greatest bishop who ever lived! In this podcast, he shows us how he became such a revered figure in our Church.

Dr. Nassif offers a theological reflection on how the Orthodox can best witness to evangelicals—and to the Orthodox!

Are we more concerned with obeying liturgical rules than with having a heart filled with justice, mercy and faithfulness to God? St. Symeon the New Theologian speaks!

Dr. Nassif discusses three important lessons we learn from the the Russian novel "The Way of a Pilgrim." In addition to the prayer from that novel, known as the Jesus Prayer, he talks about other types of short prayers and their value to us as a means to our spiritual growth.