The Original Church
Spirituality/Belief
The Original Church, with Dr. James L. Papandrea, is an ecumenical Christian community exploring our common roots in the early Church for the purposes of spiritual growth and practicing the Christian faith. No politics, debates, or proselytizing, just "faith seeking understanding" from the perspective of the early (and medieval) Church and the Church fathers. Jim Papandrea is an author and Professor of Church History and Historical Theology.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
Morning insight

Here's another insight from the books of the Maccabees: You can see in all the wars and political maneuverings in the time period that there is this thing called being a Friend of the King (for example, in I Maccabees 6). In my English Bible (NABRE) it's even capitalized, as a title, to show that it was kind of a title - to be a "Friend of the King" meant a couple things. For a person, it meant being in the king's inner circle, part advisor, but more importantly, in a position to get favors. For a nation, it meant being an ally. When it comes to Rome, one can be a Friend of Rome - which was a thing, even before there were emperors - see I Maccabees 8:20, where the Jews send a delegation to make a treaty with Rome. The treaty includes the idea that "your enemies are my enemies" so if anyone attacks Israel, the Romans promise to step up and fight for them. Likewise, if anyone attacks Rome, the Jews promise to fight on their side.

Ok, so what? The point is that this provides an important background for John 19:12, which says: Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

So you see, knowing that being a "Friend of Caesar" is an actual thing, not just rhetoric, really shows the teeth of the threat here - the leaders of the Sanhedrin are saying to Pilate, "If you release him, we will report back to Rome that you are betraying your treaty with them." Or something like that. This gives us an insight into why Pilate was so willing to give in to them.

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Sneak Peek into my NEW OFFICE!

I'm back, up and running, and ready to go - I should have a new JOURNEY episode within the next week or so - and because you are my loyal peeps, here is an exclusive, just-for-you, behind the scenes SNEAK PEEK into my new office:

00:02:17
In case you missed it, here's my Gospel Reflection

This was for March 24th, recorded for the Ascension App

00:02:57
The Journey is BACK!

Thanks for your patience - here is our next installment of The Journey - it's session # 96, but I'm also calling it PART 1 of a "miniseries" on John chapter 6.

Whoever watches it first, please let me know if it looks good or if there are any problems with it - I get through the first two sections of the text on the feeding of the 5,000.

Enjoy!

00:36:42
Here's another song... Come Let Us Climb the Lord's Mountain

I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:

In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

I hope you like the song!

Here's another song... Come Let Us Climb the Lord's Mountain
THE JOURNEY 101

This is Part 6 of our mini-series on John Chapter 6

Here's the latest from The Way of the Fathers

The second episode on St. Hildegard of Bingen

Here is Episode 100 !! of The Journey

Something to celebrate! 100 Episodes! Here it is, Episode 100 (which is part 5 of the series on John, Chapter 6) - post comments and questions!

See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals