The Cost of Discipline. In this episode, we sit with St. Athanasius and his writings on the life of St. Antony. How did Christians in the 4th century view spiritual warfare and affliction? What is the relation of discipline to prayer, piety, and resisting temptation? What did 4th century Christians think about virtues and vices, and whether they were (or weren’t) related to the Christian life? Is it better for Christians to seek a place of solitude or community when focusing on heavenly things versus worldly things? How does Mammon factor into this? What does Scripture teach about the evil one, demons, dark powers, and evil spirits? Do we as modern Christians agree with Athanasius and Antony’s views about spiritual warfare, and if not, why? This and much, much more on this week’s episode.

The Holy Spirit unleashes his power through us, his vines, and we then get to watch as his fruits blossom and ripen.

Our ears are opened by the Spirit through the word. Then, faith in Christ is present in us.

We confuse salvation and vocation in our quest to determine who is in control of our salvation.

We are so free as Christians that we don't even have to compare ourselves to other Christians.

We who have been given so much are the way by which the Father cares for those in need.

All the verbs of our salvation are passive. God calls and gathers people to him through his Gospel.

Jesus is the "because" and "therefore" of our salvation because He died for our sin

The goal of Christian living isn't to gather in and store up two, three, four barn-fulls of good works for ourselves.

The truth is, a Christian's holiness is hidden outside himself in Christ through faith.

Are our resolutions righteous? Is our commitment to self-improvement a selfless act motivated by love for the neighbor?

Old Adam's works are good because he says they're good. End of conversation.