Episode 21 —

In this episode, I share what happened after I became convinced that the Orthodox Church is the true Church.

After nearly two years of studying Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the history of Christianity, I expected entering an Orthodox parish to answer all of my questions. Instead, I discovered something unexpected: finding the Church was only the beginning.

I discuss why the Gospel—not icons, incense, or aesthetics—ultimately led me to Orthodoxy, the challenges many Protestant converts face, and how my expectations of parish life had to be transformed. Along the way, I reflect on conversations that shaped my journey, why some questions take time to answer, and what it means to love the real Church rather than an idealized one.

Whether you're exploring Eastern Orthodoxy, coming from a Protestant background, or simply interested in the theology of the early Church, I hope this episode encourages you to persevere in seeking Christ and His Church.

Topics include:

• Eastern Orthodoxy
• The Gospel and salvation
• Protestant to Orthodox conversion
• The Church Fathers
• Parish life
• The Eucharist
• Expectations and spiritual growth

Episode 20 —

For much of my life, I believed in Sola Scriptura. Yet I eventually realized that I had often read many of the New Testament's clearest descriptions of salvation metaphorically. What if the apostles meant exactly what they said when they spoke of being delivered from the domain of darkness, freed from death, and transferred into the Kingdom of Christ?

In this episode, we examine the biblical language of salvation, beginning with Colossians 1:13, and ask two foundational questions: Saved from what? Saved for what?

Rather than beginning with later theological systems, we'll let the New Testament define the problem Christ came to solve and discover how that shapes our understanding of the Gospel, the cross, and the Christian life.

Scriptures Discussed

• Colossians 1:13–14
• Hebrews 2:14–15
• Romans 6
• Ephesians 2:1–6
• John 8:34–36
• 1 Corinthians 15
• 2 Timothy 1:10

Episode 19 —

"When I read the Book of Acts, am I seeing the world of the Apostles—or am I seeing my own?"

In this episode, we take a very simplified look at the Divine Liturgy and answer a common question: Why does Orthodox worship look so different from most modern Christian services?

We begin with a surprising claim: everybody has a liturgy. Whether it's a megachurch service, a basketball game, or the Divine Liturgy itself, repeated practices shape what we love and what we believe.

From there, we explore the central claim of Orthodox worship: heaven and earth meet in Christ.

Using Hebrews 12:22-24 as our guide, we examine why Orthodox Christians believe worship is participation in heavenly worship, why reverence matters, why incense, icons, and chanting remain part of Christian worship, and why the Divine Liturgy is organized around Holy Communion rather than preaching.

Topics include:

• What liturgy actually means • Why all of life is liturgical • Hebrews 12 and the heavenly Jerusalem • "Christ is in our midst" • Why Orthodox Christians stand for the Gospel • The role of the Psalms in worship • Fasting and preparation before worship • Why Holy Communion is the climax of the Divine Liturgy • How the Reformation reshaped Christian worship • Why the first Christians being Jewish matters for understanding the Book of Acts

Key Scriptures: • Isaiah 6:1-3 • Malachi 1:11 • Matthew 18:20 • Hebrews 12:18-29 • Colossians 1:13 • Revelation 4-5 • Revelation 5:8 • Revelation 8:3-4

If you've ever wondered why Orthodox Christians worship the way they do, this episode offers a biblical and historical introduction to the logic behind the Divine Liturgy.