Sin as Sickness, Salvation as Healing, and Knowing God Beyond Our Shame (w/ Fr. Stephen Freeman)

[@mariatsiaklides2454]

I'm an Orthodox Christian, and I truly appreciate listening to Christians from different traditions and backgrounds who honestly care about helping one another and their listeners draw closer to Christ. It's refreshing, and it reinforces my hope that we can all learn to see and love the image of Christ in one another. Thank you, and God bless. ☦

[@HappyOrangeCat]

I took notes because I liked this so much. Here are some parts that stood out to me. Never waste suffering. Humility is bearing the shame of your own weakness. You have to be safe enough to be vulnerable to pull back the curtain to be seen, then to be loved, and then to be healed. Sin is a disease. We are saved by our weakness and not by our excellence. It's my weakness and vulnerability that enable me to see the truth of myself and to find God. Everybody will suffer. It is not failure. It is normal. God will bring good to us even in our suffering. To be a Christian is to take up your cross. Unite your suffering with Christ's suffering. If you don't suffer, you won't know him.

[@lannyrayconnelljr]

Bro I LOVE Fr Stephen Freeman!! Possibly the wisest man in the world.

[@shawnhampton8503]

Fr. Stephen is a true gift for the Orthodox Church. In this day of "Culture Warrior" priests and bishops who spend their time spewing anger and hatred, Fr. Stephen's deeply human and humble joy that radiates Christ really stands out.

[@tamidavis7306]

One of my favorite Orthodox voices! Thank you for interviewing him.

[@cabellero1120]

The Church is not a museum for the perfect. It is a hospital for the broken and wounded. The Church is not a courthouse, it's a hospital, Where sickness is healed. ✝️🙏

[@feeble_stirrings]

I own much to the writings of Fr. Stephen, he is such a gift. Today's bit of gold, "We're all bozos on this bus, it just some of us are pretending that we're not".

[@peteroleary9447]

Pure gold. May God grant Fr Stephen many years.

[@OrthodoxInquirer]

"There is no sin but that which is common to man" is a really great verse for shame. Once we realize that we're not unique or especially bad, it's very freeing. We're not the worst, but then again, we are the worst. When we're free of pride and actually able to repent, we can say we're the chief of sinners and mean it without self hatred or beating ourselves up. We can feel compassion for ourselves because Christ has compassion for us. Self pity isn't really repentance, it's pride. We have to get to actual repentance instead of secretly thinking that we shouldn't be a certain way because we're so great. Of course we're bad. If we're any other way, it's only through the grace of God. We can say that with lightness and turn it over the Christ.

[@thetillman45]

Fr Stephen has so much southern porch wisdom

[@FromRobNor]

Wow. This conversation reached some deep places in my soul. Thank you Father Stephen for your wisdom, experience, and proclamation of the good news in light of our shame-filled cultural moment. I am thankful that in Christ, shame is subverted to discover glory, satisfaction, healing, and union with the holy triune God. The cross became his throne!!

[@marsherrmadd5380]

I read once that God sees us as victims of the sickness of sin that we need healing from. It really helped put things in better perspective for me.

[@ASMRyouVEGANyet]

On Nov 25, 2023 Jesus Christ spoke to me and I went from being an antichrist atheist to a full knower of Jesus Christ, the one true God. I had a lot of revelation in that moment and I now see people as how Jesus sees people. It IS the way you describe, we are victims of sin and demonic influence in this world. It really helps you understand people a little bit better

[@josephaggs7791]

Yes and the idea that sin is just an offense to God without this wider context makes God a petty victim himself.

[@Stechino]

Greetings from Ireland Austin! Love the variety of guests on the channel. Subbed!

[@jasonmalstrom1043]

I feel like after listening to this, I now know of much more fruitful things to pray for.

[@GospelSimplicity]

So glad to hear that

[@toddvoss52]

The point Father Freeman made about the humiliation of the cross, not just the physical suffering, was brought to mind again by the Collect for this week in the Catholic mass: O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

[@danielslavinia2718]

Thanks Austin and Father Steven for this really timely message on shame regarding me and my life lately Bless

[@jamesbarksdale978]

Great discussion. I'm not Orthodox, but am strongly inclined towards the EO perspective on sin and salvation. So hopeful and healthy compared to the PSA model in its various expressions. Thanks guys!

[@robpadgett27]

I love the way you stated that. I am also strongly inclined towards the Orthodox position on sin and salvation.

[@NoName-ms3yg]

Thank you for this interview. Shame is something I struggle with, and I feel like God wanted me to see this.

[@jeromepopiel388]

This is spiritual humility.... 1 Peter 5:7 [7]Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

[@PsychoBible]

I already was planning on reading his book. Now I can't wait.

[@blue62show]

So much comes of shame that is problematic. There is now no condemnation.

[@AndrewKendall71]

It's very encouraging and helpful to hear this. I'm really filled with shame - I haven't accomplished anything I'd want, and I'm still failing. And surprising to me - usually with the Orthodox, I feel like I'm a sinner beyond salvation - gotta be better if the Orthodox Jesus is going to save me. This sounds so merciful and charitable and loving.

[@adambenedict6155]

Excellent presentation. Thank You.

[@chrisvanallsburg]

Unrelated, but the haircut looks good bro!

[@cabellero1120]

I believe the word you're looking for is the Greek Ekkonosen ( empty) From where the word Kenosis comes from... Though He was 1 With God, He did not grasp equality with Him, Rather, He emptied Himself and became as a servant ( Humility) Extreme Humility, The Eastern Catholics call it...

[@carlpeterson8182]

Interesting talk. I think shame is mainly destructive, but it has uses if the gaol is restoration and reserved for major issues. Paul uses shame in Galatians and there are other types of shame other places. Paul calls the Galatians foolish because they leftthe true teaching on salvation. Also, excommunication is a form of shaming. There is also a type of shame in Proverbs in which one will be shameful if one does the immoral act. Thus, there are statements that generally state if you do X then you will come to shame. So, shame is not always bad in the Bible but meant with the goal of restoration and not for just any sins.

[@summerwhitney4962]

Hi! I would love to know the best literature to read/video arguing for transubstantiation and the best literature to read for an argument against transubstantiation. Thank you!

[@lupinthe4th400]

When Fr. Spyridon Bailey?

[@BritoCornelio]

I started a three day fast this morning. Thank you for this message.i'm 47yrs old $73,000 biweekly and I'm retired, this video have inspired me greatly in many ways!!!!❤❤

[@LetnouBarron]

I'm inspired. Please spill some sugar about the biweekly stuff you mentioned

[@BritoCornelio]

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[@BritoCornelio]

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[@victoriahannah4907]

Wow 😱 I know her too Miss Christina Ann Tucker is a remarkable individual who has brought immense positivity and inspiration into my life.

[@victoriahannah4907]

I started with a miserly $1500. The results have been mind blowing I must say TBH

[@phronemamunicipality]

have you considered interviewing a greek old calendar or true orthodox priest

[@cabellero1120]

I don't understand what Austin is trying to accomplish here... Why would a Protestant talk to an Orthodox priest? I thought All Prots were sure Their way was correct ( for them)

[@thetillman45]

It's in the description: "Today, we make content around biblical and theological topics, often interacting with people from across the Christian tradition with the hope of seeking greater unity and introducing people to the beautiful simplicity and transformative power of the gospel, the good news about Jesus." I think everyone can agree that it's a joy to hear Fr Stephen regardless of one's own background.

[@toddvoss52]

You must not have watched much of his channel. Is this the first time you have watched?