The Intoxication of Sensuality

Fr. Barnabas Powell discusses how modern Christians live in a world that bombards us with constant advertisements based on sensuality. This “Intoxication of Sensuality” in our culture has been made possible, in part, by the rejection by some modern Christians of the teaching that Mary was Ever-Virgin and that she can serve as a model for not indulging all carnal desires.

Fr. Barnabas explains how the scriptural witness actually supports the Church’s ancient teaching that the so-called “Brothers and Sisters of Jesus” are not the biological children of Mary and Joseph. Jesus made arrangements for the care of His mother while on the cross precisely because she did not have any other natural children. The consistent historical declaration of the Christian Church has been that Mary was a Virgin her entire life. Protestants may be surprised to learn that the earliest so-called Reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, still taught the Ever-Virginity of Mary. We are reminded that this teaching underscores Mary’s mission to be the singular instrument that allowed God to enter our World.

This program is produced in partnership with OCN

The Orthodox Christian Network produces a wide variety of multimedia resources for Orthodox Christians and seekers in three languages: English, Greek, and Spanish. It is an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States. Founded nearly 20 years ago as a radio ministry, it continues to produce “Come Receive the Light,” a weekly radio show, and has expanded into a variety of online offerings: a weekly video newscast, a variety of podcasts, three Internet radio stations, a website and a very popular social media presence, especially on Facebook. OCN strives to work in collaboration with all Orthodox organizations and churches to communicate the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ and to strengthen the Orthodox Church in the digital age.