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!