Hearts and Minds
193 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 27 ratingsFr. John Oliver's thoughtful perspective on culture, society and the Orthodox faith.
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Episodes
Qualities of Worship - Part 2
April 24, 2009 22:32 - 9 minutes - 4.57 MBFr. John mourns the loss of the Christian male and how it runs counter to the necessity of collective worship.
Qualities of Worship - Part 1
April 01, 2009 22:21 - 13 minutes - 6.2 MBIn the first part of his series, Father John speaks of liturgy as sacred assembly.
A Circle of Quiet
March 14, 2009 04:14 - 7 minutes - 3.41 MBFr. John examines St. Gregory Palamas, who taught that interior stillness was the path to knowing God.
Jenny
February 25, 2009 23:38 - 9 minutes - 4.21 MBThis real-life story of an Ohio runaway is reminiscent of another youth in a parable of Jesus and serves to strengthen its message.
God, be Merciful to Me, a Sinner
February 12, 2009 03:27 - 7 minutes - 3.55 MBWhat was the difference between the prayer of the Pharisee and that of the Publican? Humility.
Does God Love the Devil and the Demons Like He Loves Us?
January 22, 2009 02:12 - 10 minutes - 4.87 MBFr. John answers a question at once innocent and terrifying.
The Mystical Garden
December 27, 2008 21:49 - 7 minutes - 3.51 MBWith the synaxion of the Theotokos freshly celebrated, Fr. John reflects on Mary, the mother of our Lord.
You Are Wanted
December 15, 2008 21:43 - 8 minutes - 3.91 MBHow wonderful to know that we are loved and wanted by God, who calls to us by name!
A Sacred Hunger
December 01, 2008 20:15 - 8 minutes - 3.97 MBGod places within us a hunger for fellowship with himself and creation, but too often man distorts that hunger into an appetite for temporary pleasure.
Election Special
October 29, 2008 03:58 - 17 minutes - 8.11 MBFr. John shows how our cultural deterioration brings us closer to the conditions that the early Church thrived in.
Do You Want To Be Healed?
October 16, 2008 18:00 - 8 minutes - 3.8 MBFr. John examines the difference between true healing and mere relief.
Thou Shalt Not Covet
September 23, 2008 23:50 - 9 minutes - 4.31 MBFr. John examines the last of the ten great commandments.
Society And The Soul - Part 10
September 03, 2008 23:57 - 9 minutes - 4.17 MBFr. John notes the shift in society from text to image and warns of the power of images on the soul.
The Mercy of God
August 16, 2008 05:48 - 6 minutes - 3.14 MBFr. John notes that as we accept the mercy of God, that mercy is proof that God accepts us.
Society And The Soul - Part 9
July 31, 2008 17:32 - 9 minutes - 4.57 MBDo clothes make the man? Fr. John, with help from Saint Nicodemus, might beg to differ.
Society And The Soul - Part 8
July 03, 2008 16:44 - 9 minutes - 4.45 MBFr. John, with help from St. Nicodemus, shows how to guard the sense of taste and the tongue.
Society And The Soul - Part 7
June 16, 2008 22:43 - 9 minutes - 4.14 MBAgain using the teachings of St. Nicodemus, Fr. John warns us of the dangers present in front of our very noses!
A Reflection On Natural Disasters
May 30, 2008 04:35 - 9 minutes - 4.13 MBFor those of us who cannot go, work or provide, Fr. John notes that we can still contribute in the most important way.
Society and the Soul - Part 6
May 15, 2008 04:08 - 11 minutes - 5.24 MBFr. John discusses the teachings of St. Nicodemus on listening to music.
Seeing the World in an Iconographic Way
May 02, 2008 01:17 - 7 minutes - 3.48 MBFr. John notes how Orthodox Christians see things in an iconographic way-- the images are connected to the larger reality they represent.
Society and the Soul - Part 5
March 27, 2008 04:10 - 10 minutes - 4.76 MBUsing the writings of St. Nicodemus, Fr. John discusses how the eye can lead to sin or spiritual peace.
Society and the Soul - Part 4
March 09, 2008 02:40 - 9 minutes - 4.46 MBFr. John discusses why we are enslaved to pleasure, as explained originally by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain.
Society and the Soul - Part 3
February 20, 2008 17:20 - 10 minutes - 4.66 MBIn Part Three of the ongoing series based upon "A Handbook of Spiritual Council" by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, Fr. John discusses the five senses and their relationship to the will.
Society and the Soul - Part 2
February 02, 2008 06:02 - 10 minutes - 4.74 MBFr. John continues his series on Society and The Soul, presenting us with St. Nicodemus' vision of man as "a kind of royal palace, built by the superb architectural skill of an omniscient Creator."
Society and the Soul - Part 1
January 16, 2008 16:53 - 8 minutes - 3.73 MBWith this podcast, Fr. John begins a new series based upon "A Handbook of Spiritual Council" by Saint Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, a work which examines the five human senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, and the role that each one plays in acquiring or losing salvation.
The Synaxis of the Holy Theotokos
December 26, 2007 21:43 - 9 minutes - 4.12 MBFr. John discusses the importance of the Synaxis of the Theotokos, celebrated each year on December 26.
And The Soul Felt Its Worth
December 11, 2007 00:46 - 9 minutes - 4.34 MB"There is nothing in this world more glorious, more precious, or more precarious than the human soul." Within the first few hundred years of Christian history, the Roman Empire experienced at least two devastating health epidemics. Fr. John shares with us a powerful example of how the early Christians demonstrated the worth of the soul, as well as a love stronger than fear, as they ministered to those in deep need during these times of great crisis.
Passing the Time
November 22, 2007 01:55 - 10 minutes - 4.7 MB"Are we almost there yet?" How many times will that question be asked this holiday weekend? Fr. John explores the passing of time from a Christian perspective as we travel our journey of salvation.
Babies In The Biosphere - 3
November 07, 2007 21:38 - 10 minutes - 4.66 MBThe integrated Christian possesses a pro-life view that sees the environment as life giving and worthy of protection and a pro-environment view that sees the womb as an environment and worthy of protection.
Babies in the Biosphere - 2
October 29, 2007 19:18 - 9 minutes - 4.4 MBIn part 2 of his 3 part series, Fr. John explores further the Orthodox worldview that connects all of creation to our relationship with the Creator.
Babies in the Biosphere - 1
October 18, 2007 20:34 - 10 minutes - 4.99 MBThis is part one in a series exploring the connection between abortion and the environment.
An Airport, A Hospital and the Book of Psalms
September 26, 2007 14:26 - 11 minutes - 5.11 MBWhat do these three have in common? Listen as Fr. John reflects on the power and beauty of the Psalter.
The Grandeur Of God
September 12, 2007 19:36 - 10 minutes - 4.74 MBLove for God is love for the earth and love for the earth is love for our neighbor.
Four Miles and Three Days
August 28, 2007 22:09 - 10 minutes - 4.64 MBWhat would be worth standing in line for if that line was 4 miles long? Fr. John gives us a lesson in perspective and treasure in this week's episode.
Rising Above Violence And Revenge
August 17, 2007 04:14 - 10 minutes - 4.67 MBWhen reviled, we bless. When insulted, we forgive - St. Paul
The Mystery of God
August 03, 2007 13:58 - 9 minutes - 4.53 MBWe might think we know exactly what God is and should be but is that not a certainty loaded with risk?
What Is Your Governing Dynamic?
July 20, 2007 00:55 - 10 minutes - 4.9 MBWe all have one. But what should it be? Fr. John explores the tapestry of our lives and those intrusions that can interupt the pattern.
The Vulnerability of Love
July 07, 2007 00:31 - 10 minutes - 4.86 MBJesus said "the kingdom of God is taken by force" and sometime it feels like a battle to allow ourselves to love one another as God intended.
Tradition
June 27, 2007 20:00 - 10 minutes - 4.82 MBTraveling down I-75 on his way to a Parish Life Conference, Fr. John reflects on the tradition he is passing on to his children as well as the Great Tradition of the Faith.
Joni and Superman - Two Worldviews
June 16, 2007 19:50 - 11 minutes - 5.19 MBFr. John compares the worldviews of Joni Erickson Tada and Christopher Reeve.
A Tale of Two Worldviews
June 06, 2007 22:44 - 10 minutes - 4.59 MBFr. John gives an instructive comparison of two divergent worldviews.
The Christian Worldview
May 23, 2007 22:31 - 8 minutes - 4.05 MBIn his second podcast, Fr. John helps us define a Christian worldview and how it should change the way we process life around us.
The Value Of One Life
May 15, 2007 12:02 - 11 minutes - 5.22 MBIn his first podcast, Fr. John reflects on his midnight vigil outside a prison in Tennessee.