
“If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” (John 5:46-47)
When I was in college, I had the opportunity to take a Master’s level course on the Pentateuch which is what Jesus referred to as the 5 Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Most of the course was a look at ancient history, authorship, genre, exegesis, and how to relate the New Testament with the Old (dispensational theology verses covenantal theology). However, we rarely looked at the Pentateuch from a sacramental, liturgical, or Trinitarian lens, which is deeply important because it is how the apostles and fathers both read the Old Testament. This is why I love the work of Seraphim Hamilton who seamlessly integrates the Old with the New as well as the church fathers and our experience of liturgical worship today.
In my recent interview with him, Seraphim unpacks the Messianic layers we see particularly in Genesis and Exodus and also addresses the question of whether the Angel of the Lord is an appearance of the pre-Incarnate Son or is simply an important angel like St. Michael. I hope you will take a listen! I am also excited to announce that Seraphim will be taking us through the Book of Ephesians for those who are paid subscribers after Pascha or Easter. (You can join for $5 a month via Substack, Patreon, or Youtube Members). I believe that staying plugged into the Scriptures is essential for all followers of Christ particularly if we are to remain in Him and hold fast to the Orthodox Faith. Do you know who else agrees? The Church Fathers! They were soaked in the Scriptures and often quoted verses in their letters and homilies from memory.
J.R.R. Tolkien & St. Gregory Palamas on the Annunciation
Why did the English Medieval New Year begin on March 25th? How did Tolkien integrate this event into Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings? Also, what did St. Gregory Palamas have to say about this great feast day in one of his medieval homilies? Take a listen!
Mountain Biking & Parenting w/ Technology
"Would you put your kid on a mountain bike and send them down a mountain if they've never ridden a bike? Why do the same with a phone?" -Chris Kasper of Techless
I use the Wisephone II everyday and love it! It creates healthy boundaries while also allowing me to still use important apps as tools rather than as distractions. 📱 Save $40 off through my discount code! https://wisephone.com/?aff=KING Discount Code: KING
Parent Testimonial
"My family’s journey with Wisephone started when my oldest child began after-school activities in 2023. I wanted a way to stay connected with her and be able to communicate pick-up times, etc., while ensuring she had a healthy relationship with technology.
Handing over a Wisephone to her was the obvious answer. Wisephone has been the perfect phone for us to use as we are navigating new privileges and responsibilities that come with technology. My heart melts when I get text messages from her that say, “I love you mom, have a good day!”
Stories like Brooke's remind us why we built Wisephone in the first place—to create technology that honors human connection rather than disrupting it. When parents can confidently introduce their children to the digital world on their own terms, and when "I love you" messages become the highlight of that experience, we know we're on the right path. This isn't just what we make; it's what we believe in."
Why Did I Become Orthodox? (Recent Interview)
I had the recent joy of joining Sam from Reasoned Belief to talk about my journey to Orthodox Christianity. Be sure to subscribe to his channel for more interviews!
Life After Death
Life After Death: What Orthodox Believe About the Intermediate State & Life After Death