Ancient Christian Wisdom

Dr. Herman Middleton
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

The Ancient Christian Wisdom podcast explores the world of ancient Orthodox Christianity as it is lived in the 21st century.

  1. Apr 25

    Should The Orthodox Fast From Screens?

    "The First Smartphone Dilemma": Free 5-Part Course for parents -> https://go.gadflyacademy.com/waitlist-not-yet-pv-sp In this episode, Dr. Herman Middleton addresses a question the Orthodox Church has not officially answered but the tradition is uniquely equipped to address: what does Orthodoxy demand of us regarding the smartphone, and especially our children's first? Drawing on Orthodox theological anthropology, Marshall McLuhan's media theory, Jean-Claude Larchet's proposal for a "fast of all the senses," and a pivotal conversation with an Orthodox priest, Herman argues that the smartphone poses a genuine crisis for the spiritual formation of Orthodox children, and introduces the practical resource he's built for parents who want to respond (link above!)

    Should The Orthodox Fast From Screens?

  2. Jan 16

    Beauty As Theophany: Divine Names 4.2 | Father Alexander Earl | Beauty As Theophany 4.2

    📙 Download our free eBook on Ancient Christian Wisdom in the modern world at: https://www.ProtectingVeil.com || 📙 Download The How Did We Get Here? Reading List:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sleekbio.com/gadflyacademy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ || Father Alexander Earl continues his discussion of Beauty as Theophany, by looking at the idea of Beauty in the Fathers, in particular in St. Dionysius the Areopagite. ||Why does the Orthodox vision of beauty begin in weakness, longing, and self-emptying love? How does this vision overturn the modern obsession with power and appearance? || 👉 Subscribe for more deep conversations on faith, culture, and technology. || 🎥 View podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ProtectingVeil || 🖇️ LET'S CONNECT! || X/Twitter: http://x.com/protectingveil || Instagram: http://instagram.com/protectingveil || Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/protectingveil || Substack: https://protectingveil.substack.com/ || TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@protectingveil || Website: http://www.ProtectingVeil.com || #orthodoxy #easternorthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #easternorthodox

    Beauty As Theophany: Divine Names 4.2 | Father Alexander Earl | Beauty As Theophany 4.2

  3. Jan 9

    The Lie Christians Believe About Technology | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #8

    📙 FREE eBOOK on the wisdom of modern Orthodox elders:https://social.protectingveil.com/freebook1 ||📋 Download "The How Did We Get Here? Reading List":https://sleek.bio/gadflyacademy ||🐰 You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly AcademyNew channel! Cultural criticism from an Orthodox Christian perspective:https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy || Please join us for our methodical book study on the Gadfly Academy YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy/streams ||AND our thematic book study here on the Protecting Veil YT channel, where I will be livestreaming most Monday evenings at 7:30pm (EST), and considering these themes in light of Orthodox Christian teaching. ||I hope you will join us as we work our way through Kingsnorth's book! || ❤️ SUPPORT this channel: https://social.protectingveil.com/support ||🔔 SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell to get notifications of new podcasts!To learn more about Paul Kingsnorth: ||Bio: https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/about ||"The Cross And The Machine": https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/cross ||🖇️ LET'S CONNECT! ||Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/protectingveil ||Twitter: http://twitter.com/protectingveil ||Instagram: http://instagram.com/protectingveil ||Website: http://protectingveil.com ||#orthodoxy #easternorthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #easternorthodox #orthodoxchristian #PaulKingsnorth #OrthodoxChristianity #AgainstTheMachine #Modernity #Technology

    The Lie Christians Believe About Technology | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #8

  4. Jan 3

    Did Medieval Monks Invent The Modern World? | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #7

    📙 FREE eBOOK on the wisdom of modern Orthodox elders:https://social.protectingveil.com/freebook1 ||📋 Download "The How Did We Get Here? Reading List":https://sleek.bio/gadflyacademy ||🐰 You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly AcademyNew channel! Cultural criticism from an Orthodox Christian perspective:https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy || In this episode, we continue our consideration of how capitalism became the unseen value system shaping modern life — and how it contrasts with older Christian and human values. || Drawing on Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine, we consider what was lost when Christendom gave way to capitalism. || Please join us for our methodical book study on the Gadfly Academy YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy/streams ||AND our thematic book study here on the Protecting Veil YT channel, where I will be livestreaming most Monday evenings at 7:30pm (EST), and considering these themes in light of Orthodox Christian teaching. ||I hope you will join us as we work our way through Kingsnorth's book! || ❤️ SUPPORT this channel: https://social.protectingveil.com/support ||🔔 SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell to get notifications of new podcasts!To learn more about Paul Kingsnorth: ||Bio: https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/about ||"The Cross And The Machine": https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/cross ||🖇️ LET'S CONNECT! ||Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/protectingveil ||Twitter: http://twitter.com/protectingveil ||Instagram: http://instagram.com/protectingveil ||Website: http://protectingveil.com ||#orthodoxy #easternorthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #easternorthodox #orthodoxchristian #PaulKingsnorth #OrthodoxChristianity #AgainstTheMachine #Modernity #Technology

    Did Medieval Monks Invent The Modern World? | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #7

  5. 12/19/2025

    Beauty Resplendent in the Midst of Ugliness: N. Steinhardt’s "Journal of Joy” | Fr. Bogdan Bucur

    MERCH STORE (Limited Time!): You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly Academy: https://gadflyacademy.printful.me ||📙 FREE eBOOK on the wisdom of modern Orthodox elders:https://social.protectingveil.com/freebook1 ||📋 Download "The How Did We Get Here? Reading List":https://sleek.bio/gadflyacademy ||🐰 You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly AcademyNew channel! Cultural criticism from an Orthodox Christian perspective:https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy || Please join us for our methodical book study on the Gadfly Academy YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy/streams ||AND our thematic book study here on the Protecting Veil YT channel, where I will be livestreaming most Monday evenings at 7:30pm (EST), and considering these themes in light of Orthodox Christian teaching. ||I hope you will join us as we work our way through Kingsnorth's book! || ❤️ SUPPORT this channel: https://social.protectingveil.com/support ||🔔 SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell to get notifications of new podcasts!To learn more about Paul Kingsnorth: ||Bio: https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/about ||"The Cross And The Machine": https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/cross ||🖇️ LET'S CONNECT! ||Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/protectingveil ||Twitter: http://twitter.com/protectingveil ||Instagram: http://instagram.com/protectingveil ||Website: http://protectingveil.com ||#orthodoxy #easternorthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #easternorthodox #orthodoxchristian #PaulKingsnorth #OrthodoxChristianity #AgainstTheMachine #Modernity #Technology

    Beauty Resplendent in the Midst of Ugliness: N. Steinhardt’s "Journal of Joy” | Fr. Bogdan Bucur

  6. 12/06/2025

    The Spiritual Formation of Capitalism | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #5

    MERCH STORE (Limited Time!): You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly Academy: https://gadflyacademy.printful.me ||📙 FREE eBOOK on the wisdom of modern Orthodox elders:https://social.protectingveil.com/freebook1 ||📋 Download "The How Did We Get Here? Reading List":https://sleek.bio/gadflyacademy ||🐰 You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly AcademyNew channel! Cultural criticism from an Orthodox Christian perspective:https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy || In this episode, we continue our consideration of how capitalism became the unseen value system shaping modern life — and how it contrasts with older Christian and human values. || Drawing on Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine, we consider what was lost when Christendom gave way to capitalism. || Please join us for our methodical book study on the Gadfly Academy YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy/streams ||AND our thematic book study here on the Protecting Veil YT channel, where I will be livestreaming most Monday evenings at 7:30pm (EST), and considering these themes in light of Orthodox Christian teaching. ||I hope you will join us as we work our way through Kingsnorth's book! || ❤️ SUPPORT this channel: https://social.protectingveil.com/support ||🔔 SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell to get notifications of new podcasts!To learn more about Paul Kingsnorth: ||Bio: https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/about ||"The Cross And The Machine": https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/cross ||🖇️ LET'S CONNECT! ||Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/protectingveil ||Twitter: http://twitter.com/protectingveil ||Instagram: http://instagram.com/protectingveil ||Website: http://protectingveil.com ||#orthodoxy #easternorthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #easternorthodox #orthodoxchristian #PaulKingsnorth #OrthodoxChristianity #AgainstTheMachine #Modernity #Technology

    The Spiritual Formation of Capitalism | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #5

  7. 11/21/2025

    Markets: UP, Community: DOWN | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #4

    MERCH STORE (Limited Time!): You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly Academy: https://gadflyacademy.printful.me ||📙 FREE eBOOK on the wisdom of modern Orthodox elders:https://social.protectingveil.com/freebook1 ||📋 Download "The How Did We Get Here? Reading List":https://sleek.bio/gadflyacademy ||🐰 You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly AcademyNew channel! Cultural criticism from an Orthodox Christian perspective:https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy || In this episode, we continue our consideration of how capitalism became the unseen value system shaping modern life — and how it contrasts with older Christian and human values. || Drawing on Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine, we consider what was lost when Christendom gave way to capitalism. || Please join us for our methodical book study on the Gadfly Academy YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy/streams ||AND our thematic book study here on the Protecting Veil YT channel, where I will be livestreaming most Monday evenings at 7:30pm (EST), and considering these themes in light of Orthodox Christian teaching. ||I hope you will join us as we work our way through Kingsnorth's book! || ❤️ SUPPORT this channel: https://social.protectingveil.com/support ||🔔 SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell to get notifications of new podcasts!To learn more about Paul Kingsnorth: ||Bio: https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/about ||"The Cross And The Machine": https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/cross ||🖇️ LET'S CONNECT! ||Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/protectingveil ||Twitter: http://twitter.com/protectingveil ||Instagram: http://instagram.com/protectingveil ||Website: http://protectingveil.com ||#orthodoxy #easternorthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #easternorthodox #orthodoxchristian #PaulKingsnorth #OrthodoxChristianity #AgainstTheMachine #Modernity #Technology

    Markets: UP, Community: DOWN | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #4

  8. 11/14/2025

    Is Capitalism "Christian"? | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #3

    MERCH STORE (Limited Time!): You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly Academy: https://gadflyacademy.printful.me ||📙 FREE eBOOK on the wisdom of modern Orthodox elders:https://social.protectingveil.com/freebook1 ||📋 Download "The How Did We Get Here? Reading List":https://sleek.bio/gadflyacademy ||🐰 You Are Not A Machine/Gadfly AcademyNew channel! Cultural criticism from an Orthodox Christian perspective:https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy || In this episode, we examine how capitalism became the unseen value system shaping modern life — and how it contrasts with older Christian and human values. || Drawing on Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine, we consider what was lost when Christendom gave way to capitalism. || Please join us for our methodical book study on the Gadfly Academy YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyAcademy/streams ||AND our thematic book study here on the Protecting Veil YT channel, where I will be livestreaming most Monday evenings at 7:30pm (EST), and considering these themes in light of Orthodox Christian teaching. ||I hope you will join us as we work our way through Kingsnorth's book! || ❤️ SUPPORT this channel: https://social.protectingveil.com/support ||🔔 SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell to get notifications of new podcasts!To learn more about Paul Kingsnorth: ||Bio: https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/about ||"The Cross And The Machine": https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/cross ||🖇️ LET'S CONNECT! ||Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/protectingveil ||Twitter: http://twitter.com/protectingveil ||Instagram: http://instagram.com/protectingveil ||Website: http://protectingveil.com ||#orthodoxy #easternorthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #easternorthodox #orthodoxchristian #PaulKingsnorth #OrthodoxChristianity #AgainstTheMachine #Modernity #Technology

    Is Capitalism "Christian"? | Paul Kingsnorth Thematic Book Study #3
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About

The Ancient Christian Wisdom podcast explores the world of ancient Orthodox Christianity as it is lived in the 21st century.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Herman Middleton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Herman Middleton
  • Show Website
    Ancient Christian Wisdom

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