Glory to God
257 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 158 ratingsThoughts and reflections on Orthodox theology and life - Thoughts and reflections on Orthodox theology and life from Fr. Stephen Freeman.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
A Mediated Presence - Thank God
December 01, 2023 15:44 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBFr. Stephen Freeman shares about the importance of the sacraments in our lives - particularly in light of the Bible verse that says, “There is but one mediator between God and man, the man, Christ Jesus.”
Transformation and Forgiveness
October 13, 2023 19:36 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBFr. Stephen Freeman looks at our transformation into the image of Christ and the forgiveness of our sins in terms of concrete reality - thinking through the work that God is doing in us.
The Singular Goodness of God
September 11, 2023 14:33 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBIt is one thing to believe that God exists. But beyond that, it is important, even vital, that God is good. Fr. Stephen Freeman explores this importance.
The Peaceable Kingdom in a World at War
September 02, 2023 14:39 - 9.68 MBFr. Stephen Freeman reflects on the nature of the Kingdom of God and its distinct reality when compared to the wars and struggles of the secularized world.
The Meekness of God
May 11, 2023 15:09 - 9 minutes - 8.62 MBWe rarely think of God as meek. Instead, we picture Him as mighty, powerful, and overwhelming. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at a number of clear indications in Scripture concerning what we know of God through the revelation of Christ. God is meek.
Providence and the Music of All Creation
December 14, 2022 15:07 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBEver wonder what the phrase, “the divine energies,” means? Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at its inner depths and its constant place in our lives. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good! His mercy endures forever!
Marriage Is a Lifetime of Suffering
October 01, 2022 15:13 - 20 minutes - 19 MBFr. Stephen Freeman offers some honest thoughts on the sacrament of marriage and its importance in our culture.
Walking in a Lost World
August 24, 2022 13:55 - 11 minutes - 11 MBFr. Stephen Freeman describes a reading project, comparing the writings of Richard Leigh Fermor (1933), to those of Nick Hunt (2011) as they made walks across Europe. Fermor's descriptions belong to a world that has disappeared, while those of Hunt seem thin and attenuated. They point towards much deeper realities of our modern world.
The Goal of a Lesser Life
July 28, 2022 02:13 - 11 minutes - 11 MBFr. Stephen Freeman offers thoughts on the virtue of contentment and its place in the spiritual life.
Drag My Soul to Paradise
July 15, 2022 15:47 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBFr. Stephen Freeman offers some thoughts on one of the more common Morning Prayers for the Orthodox, in which we pray, “O Lord, Save me whether I want it or not.” It is a hopeful meditation.
Second Thoughts on Success
November 22, 2021 00:22 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBFr. Stephen Freeman examines in some depth why success and progress are not the right measures of the spiritual life.
The Slow Road to Heaven - Why the Spiritual Life Doesn’t “Work”
October 30, 2021 16:45 - 15 minutes - 16.6 MBThe Orthodox understanding of the spiritual life is unlike most things that we think about in our culture. There is not a "technique" that produces "results." Instead, it is a way of life. Fr. Stephen Freeman explores this understanding.
What To Do With What You Know
October 09, 2021 13:57 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBFr. Stephen Freeman looks at the role of knowledge in our Orthodox faith, including the importance of what we do not know.
Before the Judgment Seat of Christ
September 24, 2021 13:54 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBIn the liturgy we pray that we have a "Christian ending to our life: painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ." Father Stephen Freeman looks carefully at the true nature of that judgment seat. It might surprise you.
Humble and Meek and Middle Class Morality
September 09, 2021 16:21 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBFr. Stephen Freeman describes some of the problems that arise when our morality is a "mere morality," marked only by our outward behavior rather than inward healing and transformation.
Literalism and the Other Word
August 31, 2021 18:42 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBFr. Stephen Freeman looks at the notion of "allegory" as it is used in the New Testament and in the Orthodox worldview. He also considers the true nature of "literalism" and how we should understand it.
At the Heart of the Capitol
January 13, 2021 19:32 - 14 minutes - 6.73 MBFr. Stephen Freeman offers thoughts on the place of the heart during our nation's struggles. Along with the example of St. John Chrysostom, he points us toward the role our own shame plays in the turmoil of our lives. There is a better way.
When Chaos Ruled the World - Part 2
September 09, 2020 13:36 - 14 minutes - 6.52 MBIn these two podcasts, Fr. Stephen Freeman describes the theme of deliverance from chaos that is found buried in Old Testament texts and how it continues in the New. It is an important way of understanding Christ's teaching of the gospel.
When Chaos Ruled the World - Part 1
September 07, 2020 14:18 - 14 minutes - 6.46 MBIn these two podcasts, Fr. Stephen Freeman describes the theme of deliverance from chaos that is found buried in Old Testament texts and how it continues in the New. It is an important way of understanding Christ's teaching of the gospel.
Of Kings and Things and What Matters
July 25, 2020 13:05 - 11 minutes - 5.15 MBWe often imagine that kings and generals and great battles are the turning points of history. Fr. Stephen Freeman points us towards much smaller things and tells us why.
Getting Saved on Star Trek
May 07, 2020 13:48 - 10 minutes - 5.02 MBOn Star Trek, the guys wearing the Red Shirts are expendable. Fr. Stephen Freeman tells us there's a lot to think about in that.
The Cross and the Ring of Power
April 02, 2020 14:48 - 16 minutes - 7.37 MBJ.R.R. Tolkien had a number of critiques aimed at the abuses of our modern age. That same understanding can be seen in his fiction. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the Ring of Power and the mythology of our modern world and draws lessons that every good hobbit should know.
The End of History
February 21, 2020 15:49 - 12 minutes - 5.75 MBHave you ever felt haunted by the past or trapped by things you could not change? Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at how history actually works in light of the Kingdom of God. This is truly good news!
Be True to Yourself
January 31, 2020 15:15 - 11 minutes - 5.24 MBFather Stephen Freeman tells us that the spiritual struggle in our life is not one of moral progress, forcing ourselves to behave better and better. Rather, it is the struggle to enter the depths of our lives and confront the truth—in the presence of Christ.
Clothed in the Image
January 16, 2020 15:14 - 13 minutes - 6.01 MBThe clothing we wear, often with slogans and such, and other outward markings in our lives reflect a deeper spiritual need. The Scriptures speak of being "clothed with Christ." Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at this in terms of covering our shame, and our growth in the image of Christ.
The Struggle Against the Normal Life
January 10, 2020 15:59 - 11 minutes - 5.09 MBMuch of what we mean when we say "normal" is nothing of the sort. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the clash of worldviews that surrounds us in our present day.
The End of Time Is Probably Not What You Think
November 02, 2019 17:52 - 14 minutes - 6.47 MBFr. Stephen Freeman looks at the end of time and how it is thought about in Orthodox theology. It is profoundly important in our every day life.
The Truth of the Soul
October 11, 2019 20:17 - 10 minutes - 4.77 MBThere is a distinction between our personality and what it means to be person. Fr. Stephen Freeman explains this in terms of the soul and offers very helpful thoughts on what awaits us in heaven.
Get Your Soul Back
September 19, 2019 14:50 - 12 minutes - 5.96 MBWhy do the Scriptures speak so frequently about the soul? Is it the same as my personality? Fr. Stephen Freeman speaks about the meaning of soul and its importance in a psychologized society.
The Greatness of a Lesser World
July 17, 2019 23:47 - 19 minutes - 8.84 MBFr. Stephen Freeman reflects on the thoughts of Thomas Hopko, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, and GK Chesterton, all of whom speak of the value of smaller and more local things. He examines this within Orthodox thought as well.
The Poor, Debts and Your Enemies: Learning to Forgive
July 15, 2019 23:27 - 8 minutes - 3.83 MBFr. Stephen Freeman looks at the "burden" created by the emotional and spiritual debts of things that others have done to us and how they can be forgiven.
The Secular Mind Versus the Whole Heart
May 04, 2019 14:01 - 15 minutes - 7.27 MBFr. Stephen Freeman discusses the right relationship between the mind and the body. You might be surprised.
A Priest’s Thoughts on Depression, Anxiety, the Soul, Your Body, and Your Brain
March 21, 2019 14:22 - 23 minutes - 10.6 MBFr. Stephen Freeman speaks from his own experience about depression, anxiety, and a 40-year battle with panic attacks. He sets these within the wisdom of the tradition and offers a way of understanding as well as some helpful ways of moving forward.
Giving Thanks for All Things: The Cruciform Life
February 04, 2019 19:34 - 14 minutes - 6.73 MBWhen we give thanks to God, particularly in difficult times, Fr. Stephen Freeman tells us we unite ourselves with the Cross of Christ.
Weak, Sick, Poor, Tired: A Story for Losers
February 02, 2019 17:41 - 9 minutes - 4.35 MBElder Zacharias of Essex says that the "way of shame is the way of the Lord." Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at how our weakness is, in fact, the path of our salvation.
Saving My Neighbor
December 22, 2018 19:22 - 16 minutes - 7.48 MBJust how connected are we? Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the classical understanding of human connectedness and what it means for our salvation.
Hell, Justice and the Heart of Prayer
December 12, 2018 14:25 - 11 minutes - 5.4 MBFr. Stephen Freeman looks at the story of Abraham and the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah as a means of understanding our prayers for the world.
The Sacrifice of Worship
October 30, 2018 14:09 - 13 minutes - 6.39 MBFr. Stephen Freeman looks at the meaning of Worship, as understood in the Scriptures and the Tradition, connecting it with the sacrifices offered in the Old Testament, and Christ's sacrifice on the Cross in the New.
The Community We All Need
October 04, 2018 13:57 - 11 minutes - 5.3 MBCommunity is rooted in a mutual need, and so depends on our weakness. Fr. Stephen Freeman tells us that this is God's intention for the Church.
The Loneliness of Shame
July 14, 2018 19:48 - 12 minutes - 5.88 MBThe heart of loneliness is broken communion. Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the roots of this rupture and its experience as shame.
Goodness and a Word in Due Season
July 03, 2018 01:44 - 13 minutes - 5.99 MBThe truth of words is much deeper than the "facts" they may represent. A true word is found in the heart of God, and in our hearts when we dwell in God.
Shame in the Public Arena
July 01, 2018 21:59 - 9 minutes - 4.34 MBFrom ancient Rome to the present, public shaming has been a means of controlled violence. What is the Christian place in all of this?
The Sins of Our Fathers - The Epigenetics of Shame
June 09, 2018 14:36 - 10 minutes - 4.84 MBMuch of the "baggage" we carry in our lives is something into which we were born. Understanding this and God's place in healing it is the subject of this talk by Fr. Stephen Freeman.
The Soul is a Mirror
June 07, 2018 13:37 - 9 minutes - 4.41 MBReflecting on his many podcasts and articles on shame, Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at its place in the soul.
The Healthy Shame at the Heart’s Core
May 10, 2018 13:45 - 13 minutes - 6.14 MBWe tend to think of shame only in negative terms. However, there is such a thing as "healthy shame." It plays an essential role in awe and wonder and in the giving of thanks. Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some thoughts on this important aspect of our inner life.
You Were Created for Pascha
April 14, 2018 14:09 - 8 minutes - 4 MBFr. Stephen Freeman looks at the unique Gift that God gives us in Christ's Pascha: the revelation of our true self.
Comfort to a Child - Speaking Peace to Shame
April 01, 2018 19:33 - 8 minutes - 3.97 MBFr. Stephen Freeman offers some insight on dealing with the dark thoughts that often fill our minds.
Look Who’s Talking
March 10, 2018 16:39 - 11 minutes - 5.45 MBThe negative voice we hear in our head. Who is it that is talking? What does it mean? Where does it come from? Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some reflection on this noise.
Benedict in the Suburbs
March 06, 2018 20:29 - 17 minutes - 7.82 MBFr. Stephen Freeman reflects on Rod Dreher's book, The Benedict Option. He suggests that the virtues that shape our lives are largely formed in their context. How do we shape the parish for acquiring Christian virtues?
The Image of Unfallen Suffering
February 12, 2018 17:28 - 18 minutes - 8.29 MBFr. Stephen Freeman speaks about the the goodness of creation and the place that suffering holds within it - including a form of suffering that is not evil.