Light Through the Past

Jan 29 2025 151 ep. 79

Light Through the Past Podcast artwork

This podcast will look at the course and development of the Orthodox Church, its struggles with heresy, the empire, and relations to other Christian bodies.

Religion & Spirituality

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The Pachomian Shift in Monasticism

Dr. Jenkins continues he discussion of the history of monasticism. This week Dr. Jenkins looks at the shift in monasticism that the introduction of Pachomius's early fourth-century reforms entailed.

St. Antony the Pattern of Monks

St. Pachomius called St. Antony a pattern for those who pursued the life in the desert. This episode Dr. Jenkins unpacks what this means.

Martyrdom and Monasticism

"Christian discipleship is one of leaving the world and following Christ. This episode Dr. Jenkins explores how the Church in the shadow of Martyrdom became the Church of monasticism, and why this shift was not as great as it might seem."

St. Ignatius' Own Words on His Martyrdom

A cold has seized Dr. Jenkins, and so we have but an abbreviated version of Path to the Academy this week. You should however, read St. Ignatius of Antioch's beautiful Epistle to the Romans, as it will be discussed next week. You can find it here: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/richardson/fathers.vi.ii.iii.iv.html

Monasticism: Simplicity on the Path to Flame

Why do we have monks? Why do we have laity? Shouldn't all seek to lay aside all earthly cares all the time? This episode Dr. Jenkins explores the place of "simplicity" in the Christian life, both lay and monastic and how this informs the life of the desert. Fr. Patrick Reardon interview. https://tinyurl.com/FrReardon Are We All Cyborgs discount. https://tinyurl.com/cyborgsreduced

The Monastic Pursuit of God: an Introit

This episode Dr. Jenkins begins looking at Orthodox Monasticism and the question of the search and pursuit of God.

Pope Vigilius and the Three Chapters

The "Three Chapters" caused real consternation among Latin Christians, and embroiled the duplicitous Pope Vigilius for years in a game of cat and mouse with the ever-exasperated Emperor St. Justinian. This episode Dr. Jenkins details how this issue was resolved in the 5th ecumenical council.

How Ought We to Think about Ecumenical Councils?

This episode Dr. Jenkins jumps into the deep, muddy, and at times turbulent waters that comprise the world of the Ecumenical councils, how the Church in the fifth and sixth centuries inchoately seemed to understand them, and how we should think about them.

Justinian: Emperor, Theologian, Saint

Dr. Jenkins dives into the Christology of the Emperor St. Justinian, who, though not an original thinker, full grasped the theological currents of his day, and his writings set down the path the Church would follow in Her understanding of the Union of Christ in the One Hypostasis of the second Person of the All Holy Trinity.

A Short Thanksgiving Intro to emperor St. Justinian

This episode, abbreviated for the American holiday, Dr. Jenkins begins our look at Emperor St. Justinian.