James D. Newcomb
Ba Vojdaan با وجدان
Two Views of the Cross and Why the Calvinists Get It Wrong with Frederica Mathewes-Green (Part 3)
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Two Views of the Cross and Why the Calvinists Get It Wrong with Frederica Mathewes-Green (Part 3)

In this episode, host James Newcomb engages in a deep theological discussion with Orthodox Christian scholar Frederica Mathewes-Green covering various aspects of Christian theology.

They delve into the differences between orthodox and Western Christian perspectives, particularly focusing on sin, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

Frederica turns the tables on the host, asking James about his personal journey from Presbyterianism to Reformed theology and ultimately to Orthodoxy.

James and Frederica also explore the stories and examples of saints, the interpretation of scriptures, and the contrasting images of the cross in Eastern and Western Christianity.

The discussion is anchored by Frederica's book, 'Two Views of the Cross,' which contrasts critical theological views of Orthodoxy and Western Christianity.

Episode highlights:

00:00 Introduction: The Irony of Theological Studies

01:02 Personal Journey: From Baptocostal to Reformed to Orthodox Christian

01:36 A Quest for Stability

03:14 The Reformation and Its Aftermath

05:07 The Refrigerator Hermeneutic: Picking and Choosing Scripture

07:07 John 6: The Challenge of Literal Interpretation

08:10 The Story of St. Photini (the woman at the well)

09:37 The Power of Stories in Faith

10:46 Two Views of the Cross: A Book Discussion

14:23 Orthodox vs. Western Christianity: Forgiveness and Sacrifice

18:28 The Nature of Sin: Disease vs. Infraction

24:03 The Harshness of Calvinism: A Tragic Misunderstanding

27:59 The Importance of Forgiveness in Orthodoxy

29:03 Conclusion: Reflecting on the Discussion

Book mentioned:

Two Views of the Cross: Orthodoxy and the West by Frederica Mathewes-Green

About the guest:

"I write and speak on a wide range of topics. In recent years I’ve concentrated on ancient Christian spirituality and the Eastern Orthodox faith, but the hundreds of Posts and Essays on this site include movie reviews, humor, marriage and family, cultural issues, and more. Essays can be browsed by date or category, or you can use the search box at the right.

I travel to Speaking Engagements all year round; you can contact Cynthia Damaskos of the Orthodox Speakers Bureau if you’d like to bring me to an event. This Calendar will let you know when I’m in your neighborhood.

You've been listening to Ba Vojdaan!, with James D. Newcomb.

For more information about James, and to subscribe to the podcast, visit https://jamesdnewcomb.com. There you'll find a trove of materials available for immediate download.

And be sure to follow James' travels and adventures on social media. All the info can be found at https://jamesdnewcomb.com.

Thank you for listening!

Discussion about this podcast

James D. Newcomb
Ba Vojdaan با وجدان
با وجدان (transliterated to Ba Vojdaan) is a Persian word which translates to English as "Conscientious".
I don't know about you, but I'm alarmed by the lack of conviction and integrity in our culture. People are on "autopilot" morally and spiritually. Whatever the talking heads on the boob tube tell us to think, that's what we think.
You could perhaps argue this has always been a problem since the dawn of time, but it just seems more pronounced in recent years.
And no one notices.
And those who do notice...they seem to either not care, or have given up trying to make a difference.
Plus there was no "boob tube" until about 1950, so there's that.
This podcast is one man's response to this pandemic of moral laziness and apathy.
Carry yourself with "Vojdaan" and you'll instantly set yourself apart from the zombies inhabiting our land.
This podcast will show you how to do it, and allow you to interact with others who think the same way.
So subscribe to the podcast and reclaim your sanity with daily interviews featuring folks who refuse to march in step with the rhythm of the world that is driving us into despair and chaos.
Follow this show at Vojdaan.com