Toxic Charity
16 February 2015
Fr. Chris Metropulos
Can there be too much of a good thing? When it comes to missions, it’s called toxic charity. Modern missionaries are sensitive to this reality and are careful to make new Christian communities self-sufficient according to their local traditions and culture. Listen as Fr. Chris speaks with Presvytera Renee Ritsi from the Orthodox Christian Mission Center as they discuss ways OCMC is encouraging self-reliance in the mission field.
And stay tuned as Fr. Chris speaks with Dr. David Ford, Professor of Church History at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, as they continue to discuss the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) This month, they discuss the lives of Saints Priscilla and Aquila. This couple is ranked Equal to the Apostles in the Orthodox Church and commended for their virtues. Close friends with the Apostle Paul, they are often mentioned in the Book of Acts and in St. John Chrysostom’s homilies.
Here are two books mentioned in the interview that you may find of interest:
When Charity Destroys Dignity and Marriage as a path to holiness.
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.
