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Archive for June 2008
New Partnership Between INMN and OCN
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 2:52 PM by Jason Barker
Jacob Lee of Icon New Media Network has announced a new partnership between Icon and the Orthodox Christian Network:
Icon New Media Network is proud to announce our new partnership with the Orthodox Christian Network. OCN is an agency of SCOBA and has been established to create a national, sustainable and effective media witness for the Orthodox Christian Church in North America. OCN has agreed to distribute Icon New Media Network content on their distribution channels and by combining our efforts, we’ll be we working together to reach a larger audience.
It is exciting to take this new step and link with this well respected, multi-jurisdictional organization. We know this partnership will only enhance the belief of Icon New Media Network “that Orthodox Christianity is the future of American spirituality”.
Posted in OCN
"Study" Bibles
Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 10:47 AM by Jason Barker
Early in this blog I wrote an article about some of the problems with many (but not all) so-called "study Bibles." I stated in that article, "The most significant problem is that these niche study Bibles are in fact seldom truly study Bibles: they are simply the biblical text surrounded by - and too frequently, suffocated by - silly pop culture references and self-help snippets."
I thought of this point when I saw a list of "Unique Bibles," including such titles as the TruGlo Bible (which glows in the dark) and the Battlezone Bible (with a scarred metal cover).
In my previous article I noted some key differences between these types of "study Bibles" and a legitimate study Bible like the Orthodox Study Bible:
This is not to condemn the entire concept of study Bibles: my point is to criticize squeezing the Bible into a niche. The Orthodox Study Bible, for example, avoids the perils of the niche-targeted study Bibles by giving general study notes about the biblical text that are applicable to all Christians, rather than "helpful hints" that are at best only loosely related to the text (if at all related), and also are limiting the audience of the text to - for example - girls aged thirteen to sixteen in the year 2007 (and, in the Biblezine genre, literally only the year 2007).
I also pointed out some of the differences between such "study Bibles" and the Bible studies I create:
First, there is a significant difference between providing an external set of commentaries and application articles about the Bible (as the Department of Youth Ministry does with our Bible studies), and packaging a set of cultural ephemera with the biblical text in a single volume and calling it the Bible (as the Biblezines and niche study Bibles do).
Secondly, the focus of our Bible studies is always on the biblical text. The majority of the articles in each Bible study are on the text itself: textual commentary, explanations of biblical terminology, historical background, etc. In addition, the articles are grouped into three clearly-defined categories: the biblical text and commentaries; articles about life application and Orthodox faith and practice; and overview materials (summaries, handouts, and quizzes). Thus, as helpful as I hope my life application articles will be in assisting youth in applying the principles brought out in the biblical text to their lives, I never want the reader to believe that my application articles are in any way on a par with the biblical text, or believe that one of my life application articles is a complete summary of everything they need to know about the biblical text.
Posted in Miscellaneous
DoveWorks
Posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 2:54 PM by Jason Barker
I was searching for Orthodox websites that deal with "Great Books," and came across the site for Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Elmira Heights, NY. They didn't seem to have anything related to study of the Great Books, but I was pleased to see them engaged in both evangelistic outreach (by offering a free book to inquirers) and social outreach (by offering free meals on Saturdays and Sundays).
I was also pleased to see that the church is restarting DoveWorks Communications, which in the late 90s - early 00s offered Everyday, a weekly cassette with well-produced daily Bible readings and devotions for Orthodox Christians (my wife and I would listen to these in the morning before leaving for work). Holy Trinity's site says:
DoveWorks Communications is constructing a new web site in anticipation of resuming its "Everyday" service by tape, CD and via audio stream on the internet by September. This link will be inoperative until the web site is completed, hopefully by July. Stay tuned...
Posted in Orthodox News
New Podcast Episodes
Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 2:24 PM by Jason Barker
I've uploaded new episodes of GET WISDOM and re/CALL.
Posted in Get Wisdom!, re/CALL
Give to the OCN, Get a Free Book
Posted on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 12:21 PM by Jason Barker
The Orthodox Christian Network has a new donation program: give a monthly pledge of at least $10, and receive a free copy of Fr. Lawrence Farley's The Gospel of John: Beholding the Glory:
With your support and prayers, we've been touching lives for Christ and making a difference for Orthodox Christian outreach in this country for more than a decade.
Do you ever wonder if there's a way you can help spread the message? If so, I hope you'll consider joining us in this sacred cause today as a monthly donor. Your monthly gift would be a great help and it would support the long-term growth of Orthodox media outreach.
If you pledge $10 a month or more, we'll send you a gift copy of The Gospel of John by Fr. Lawrence Farley as our thanks for your support. This wonderful work explains the Gospel of St. John in a straightforward and Orthodox way to feed both heart and mind.
To make your pledge and receive your copy, please call us at 877.273.2348 or visit our Website to become a monthly donor.
Or if you are ready to pledge to make a difference for Orthodoxy, then click here to immediately begin your monthly donation of $10.00!
Once again, thank you for caring about Christ's Church and being a part of the growing OCN family!
Yours for the spread of Orthodoxy,
Rev. Dr. Christopher T. Metropulos
Executive Director
Orthodox
Christian Network
P.S. Your monthly pledge will make a real difference to the growth of Orthodox media outreach. Don't delay: We have a limited number of copies of The Gospel of John, so please make your pledge today. Thank you!
Posted in OCN
New Episode of re/CALL
Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 2:23 PM by Jason Barker
I've uploaded the new episode of re/CALL; this episode looks at the question, "Can I Give to Charity?"
Posted in re/CALL
Prayers by the Lake
Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 1:24 PM by Jason Barker
Via Fr. Stephen Freeman, I learned that St. Nikolai Velimirovich's Prayers by the Lake are available online.
Posted in Online Resources
New Episode of GET WISDOM
Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 11:59 AM by Jason Barker
I've uploaded the new episode of GET WISDOM; this episode covers Mark 9.
Posted in Get Wisdom!
No Episodes of GET WISDOM or re/CALL
Posted on Sunday, June 08, 2008 at 8:06 PM by Jason Barker
I will be unable to produce episodes of GET WISDOM and re/CALL this week; something has come up that will take up most of my time and prevent me from preparing, recording, and editing two podcasts.
I hope to be back on schedule next week.
Posted in Get Wisdom!, re/CALL
New Episode of re/CALL
Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2008 at 4:46 PM by Jason Barker
I've uploaded the new episode of re/CALL; the subject of this episode is, "Can I Teach or Exhort?"
Posted in re/CALL
New Episode of GET WISDOM
Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2008 at 11:50 AM by Jason Barker
I've uploaded the new episode of GET WISDOM; this episode covers Mark 8.
Posted in Get Wisdom!