Loading... Please wait...

Update on New Talks

Currency Converter

Choose a currency below to display product prices in the selected currency.

AUD
CAD
EUR
GBP
NZD
USD

Talk Details

  • Image 1
Price:
0.00 AUD
SKU:
T25
Format:
MP3
Quantity:



Talk 25: Why Logic and Reason in Spiritual Matters Can Lead to a Loss of Grace

(MP3 duration: 3hrs) 

This talk is a continuation of Talk 24: "Elders vs. Religious Intellectuals: Whom to Follow?" Asceticism is the most important aspect of Orthodox spirituality, for it is the path by which one acquires the grace of God. But the holy elders of our times teach that today there is a lack, and even an absence, of asceticism in the Church. Without asceticism, Christians tend to ignore the heart and the conscience, and instead use logic and reason in spiritual matters. The question then arises: what is true asceticism?

In this talk, Father Kosmas explains that true asceticism is the struggle to keep the commandments of Christ, not simply following various external rules and abstaining from certain foods. He goes on to list many aspects of everyday life that can be considered ascetical and are therefore spiritually beneficial.  By struggling to keep the commandments, one can acquire grace and thereby avoid the pitfall of using logic and reason in spiritual matters. For as we read in Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit only abides in those who keep Christ’s commandments.

The following questions are also discussed: why did Elder Paisios call those clerics sick who used psychology to help souls? What should be our attitude towards atheists? Why are Christians who complain about the evil in the world called “saltless”? How does God humble the proud? Should we condemn drug addicts, prostitutes, fornicators, homosexuals, alcoholics, etc.? Why are priests increasingly referring their spiritual children to psychologists? How should we view abuse of men by women?

Other points covered in this talk include: an “illogical” explanation for the death of infants and children; how studies in academic theology can produce unbelievers; how mental illness can be viewed as a spiritual struggle and even martyrdom; how spiritual progress comes when we stop focusing on our personal problems; and the wonderful example of a woman who endured abuse from her husband.

Format:
MP3
Duration:
3hrs
Speaker:
Priestmonk Kosmas
File Size:
125MB
Location:
St George Church, Carlton, Sydney
Date:
2 August 2009
Re-edited:
16 September 2016
Series:
Talks 24, 25 & 26

  • Talk 45: Are We Leading a Balanced Spiritual Life?
    Talk 45: Are We Leading a Balanced Spiritual Life?
    15.50 AUD 0.00 AUD
  • Talk 24: Elders vs. Religious Intellectuals: Whom to Follow?
    Talk 24: Elders vs. Religious Intellectuals: Whom to Follow?
    14.00 AUD 0.00 AUD
  • Talk 26: Holy Communion Without Spiritual Struggle: A Heresy in Our Times
    Talk 26: Holy Communion Without Spiritual Struggle: A Heresy in Our Times
    14.00 AUD 0.00 AUD
  • Talk 27: How Does One Overcome Coldness and Deadness in the Spiritual Life?
    Talk 27: How Does One Overcome Coldness and Deadness in the Spiritual Life?
    15.50 AUD 0.00 AUD
  • Talk 31: Does Christianity Really Cause Guilt, Depression and Despair?
    Talk 31: Does Christianity Really Cause Guilt, Depression and Despair?
    15.50 AUD 0.00 AUD
  • Talk 43: Examining the Pharisee Within Us
    Talk 43: Examining the Pharisee Within Us
    15.50 AUD 0.00 AUD
  • Talk 44: What is the Aim of Our Christian Life?
    Talk 44: What is the Aim of Our Christian Life?
    15.50 AUD 0.00 AUD
  • Talk 48: Blessed Are the Merciful, For They Shall Obtain Mercy!
    Talk 48: Blessed Are the Merciful, For They Shall Obtain Mercy!
    15.50 AUD 0.00 AUD