HOW ARE WE SAVED? Ancient Faith in a Modern World Part 5

“Are you saved?”  A simple question with a relatively simple answer that has unfortunately become a lot more complicated in today’s world.  Is it because we (Orthodox Christians) don’t know if we’re saved?  Or is it because maybe our definition of salvation isn’t the same as everyone else’s?

That’s the final topic in the Ancient Faith in a Modern World series where we talk about what salvation really means and what the Church’s view is towards it.  You might be surprised to discover that the definition of “saved” has changed quite a bit over the years.  It might not mean what you think it means.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MARY – Ancient Faith in a Modern World Part 4

The great evangelist Billy Graham once famously said, “We evangelical Christians do not give Mary her proper due.” 

What is the role of St. Mary in the church today?  What should it be?  Should I pray to her?  Is that even allowed?  Or is she no different than anyone else – just a historical figure who played an important role 2000 years ago, but that’s pretty much it.  What is the Virgin Mary’s “proper due”?

That’s the topic for the latest installment in the Ancient Faith in a Modern World series.  I did my best to answer those questions and a few more, but I must confess: I had a little help from a special guest who joined us for a special cameo appearance at The Well – his first appearance there but probably not his last.

WHY WE WORSHIP THE WAY WE DO – Ancient Faith in a Modern World Part 3

Why is Liturgy so boring?  Why does it have to be so long and with so much standing up?  Does it even really matter how we worship God?  What matters is the heart right???

If you’ve ever wondered about why Orthodox worship looks the way it does, be sure to check out the message above.  In it, I talk about how liturgical worship helps us to achieve EXACTLY what we need – more than enjoyment, more than entertainment, more than a nice inspiring message.  Liturgical worship is where we exchange our life for the life of Jesus.

And that’s what we really need.

THE ‘T’ WORD – Ancient Faith in a Modern World Part 2

The ‘t’ word.  It’s a word that can instantly divide Christians into two groups: pro vs con.  Some hate it and believe that it is the cause of all the problems in church history.  Others love it and believe that we’d be lost without it.

What is the ‘t’ word?  TRADITION.

In this week’s message, we take a look an objective look at tradition and see where it came and what our view towards it should be.  Does the Bible ever speak negatively about tradition?  Does it ever speak positively of it?  Is all tradition a good thing?  Is there a time where tradition can be bad?  

What is tradition and what would our lives/churches look like without it?

WHAT IS THE CHURCH? – Ancient Faith in a Modern World Part 1

BRINGING AN ANCIENT FAITH TO A MODERN WORLD

That’s our slogan at STSA and that’s also the name of our latest series.  In it, we’re exploring Orthodox Christianity to see whether or not it is what it claims to be – “the original Christian church established by Jesus Christ Himself upon the foundation of the apostles.”

Is that true or just something we say because it sounds nice?  Is there truly a link between the Orthodox church of today and the church which started in Jerusalem 2000 years ago?  Is the church that Jesus started still alive and has it been alive for all these years?  Or did it die somewhere along the way?

I hope you’ll join me for this 5 part series and discover these answers (and more) for yourself.