The Path to the Academy: Recent Episodes
Dr. Gary Cyril Jenkins and Ancient Faith Radio
Conversations on Orthodoxy and Education - A series of interviews with Orthodox educators and youth workers on what education is and why we need to spend time thinking about it.
This episode our intrepid professors wade into the claims of a seemingly new way of looking at the relationship of Orthodoxy to scientific claims, which turns out to be just some warmed-up dish of old items already condemned by the Church.
This episode Drs. Jenkins and Moritz start the deep-dive into Dr. Moritz's St. Basil Center Lecture. Per form, they don't get very far but spend a great deal of energy on many necessary items.
Culture, Dr. Joshua Moritz unpacks the real and large distinctions between materialist evolution and the emerging science of Platonic Biology, and how Orthodox Theology fits into this.
In this episode, Doctors Jenkins and Moritz are joined by Dr. William Tighe as they dive into the question of the state of “the Bible” in the time of our Lord, the menagerie that was ancient Judaism, and why we cannot speak about “by scripture alone” without any reference to the place of the Church. This is the first of a series on this topic.
This episode our intrepid PhDs talk about a recent conversation between Johanthan Pageau, Dr. Michael Levin, and Dr. John Vervaeke about the inexplicable patterns found in nature which are crying out for explanations that are other than that of materialism.Link to the convo: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iwOJ9PWcPmo
The doctors have returned, picking up where they had left off, discussing the basis of our current manias, the slippery and often inchoate concepts of Secularism and Modernity. Where did they begin, what do they mean, and how do we approach them are some of the topics addressed. This time, they finish the show notes.Items mentioned in this podcast:Scopes Trial: https://tinyurl.com/MoritzScopes100Menken on Machen: https://tinyurl.com/MenkenonMachenOthodoxy and Education: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025
The doctors are at it again, this time discussing the basis of our current manias, the slippery and often inchoate concepts of Secularism and Modernity. Where did they begin, what do they mean, and how do we approach them are some of the topics addressed. As to be expected, they did not finish the show notes.https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025
Drs. Jenkins and Moritz are back at it, this week looking at the ancient and honored discipline of Astronomy, and how the ancients were so much closer to reality than so many moderns want to admit.Dr. Moritz on Cambrian Explosion: https://tinyurl.com/MoritzCambDr. Jenkins on Byzantine Empire: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium
Having weathered the Holidays, flu and chest colds, the start of another academic term, and scheduling hurly-burly, our intrepid Professors are back at, this time in an episode that had no fixed agenda (and thus not purpose or end).For Dr. Jenkins Byzantine course see here: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantiumAnd Dr. Moritz's article on AI here (https://tinyurl.com/JMoritzAI) and on Lord Kelvin here (https://tinyurl.com/MoritzKelvin)
This episode our intrepid professors review what aspects of the recent Orthodoxy and Education Conference, touching on how Christians dominated the field of science, what theology looks like in an Orthodox school, along with an aside on the "Disney" disease.
This episode Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Moritz, address a listener's question, and discuss as well the recent Orthodoxy and Education Conference.
Dr. Jenkins drawing from his 40+ years as an educator, discusses ways to improve education at the parish level, from Sunday School to Catechism, employing methods available to any educator.
Dr. Jenkins, author, host of Path to the Academy and Light through the Past podcasts, explores the corruption of the Universities, how they have not only left their foundations as Christian institutions, but actually worked to undermine their first principles, how this change has wrought devastation to Orthodox youth heading off to college, and what can be done to address the problem.
Mrs. Hewitt, the Assistant Head of School at Claritas Classical Christian Academy, looks at the lost virtue of disciplining the memory as part of cultivating the soul. Taking inspiration from St. Augustin, Mrs. Hewitt shows the need isn't just for the verse here and there, but for long sections of literature and poetry.
In her second talk, Laura E. Wolfe dives into why we must all be homeschoolers. Homeschooling is not just an 'alternative' for those opting out of our government schools, but a life that integrates the student into all aspects of the home, and not just slapping on some academic disciplines to daily chores.
Mrs. Wolfe, author, inter alia, of Sasha and the Dragon, and Patterns for Life, introduces us to the incredible world of Charlotte Mason, the late 19th - early 20th educator who saw the formation of the soul, and not just the creation of factory workers, as the true goal of education. Laura explores how this world fits into Orthodox paideia, and is so suitable for homeschoolers especially.
Dr. Joshua Moritz of Chrysostom Academy tackles the nagging rumor that science and faith are two different systems that have nothing to do with each other, pointing out that most of the great scientists of centuries past were confessing Christians, and many of them Orthodox, whose faith was integral to their work.
Mr. Heitzenrater, Headmaster of Chrysostom Academy, explores what exactly an Orthodox school looks like, how it will differ from other schools, and why it is not merely the same old curriculum with some prayers added.
Dr. Chris Perrin of Classical Academic Press and Scholé Academy begins the conference introducing us to the rich heritage of Paideia that comes to us from our Saints and Tradition, and what this heritage entails.
This episode Dr. Jenkins grills Dr. Moritz about his long and winding road out of the Lehigh Valley, to Calvin College, than to Berkeley, all the while inquiring about Orthodoxy, only to find that his path to Orthodoxy led him back to the Lehigh Valley both to Orthodoxy and Chrysostom Academy.Orthodoxy and Education Conference: Orthodoxy and Education: https://tinyurl.com/OrthodoxEducation
Our two intrepid podcasters having gotten bogged down in answering listeners' questions, now push forward to address why mankind was created, and what is its destiny. In short, what is man, why does he exist, where's he going, and why?Orthodoxy and Education: https://tinyurl.com/OrthodoxEducationDoxamoot 2024: https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot24Dr. Jenkins new website with Atheism course: luxchristi.co (note, not .com).
Our two hale and hardy podcasters got happily bogged down in the answering of two listeners' questions, inquiries that also serve as an excellent introduction to this two part episode: What is man, why does he exist, where's he going, and why?
Dr. Joshua Moritz joins Dr. Jenkins once again as they begin a series on the liberal arts, those skills necessary to liberate us from the errors in thinking and thought, and that direct us as we seek to pursue God.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes back once again Dr. Joshua Moritz as they discuss the the Question Universal Salvation, what it is, what it is not, why the question keeps emerging among Christians, and what Holy Scripture and the Fathers have to say about it.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes back Dr. Joshua Moritz to the podcast where our duo dives into the question of the resurrection of the body, one of the fundamental teachings of our faith. Our co-hosts investigate what all the resurrection entails, what the body is that shall be raised, and how our raised bodies relate to the body of our Lord.
This episode Dr. Jenkins welcomes back Dr. Joshua Moritz, and as well Dr. William Tighe, who plays a periodically vocal "fly on the wall" for this episode. Our host and guests dive into the question of what were deaconesses, why they were used at some times and some places in the Church, and why the position was discontinued.
In this episode Dr. Jenkins welcomes back Dr. Joshua Moritz as they investigate the origins of the current anti-Trinitarian mania that seeks to see Father as not the proper and true name of the source of all reality, the One God we profess in the Creed: "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty." Of course, along the way our intrepid pair speak about the origins of modern feminism, something that was awry from its birth in the days of the French Revolution and the Romantic period.
In this episode Dr. Jenkins Welcomes Dr. David Williams (deacon David) and Dr. Evan Getz to Path to the Academy. Professors Williams and Getz teach at St. Katherine's Orthodox University in San Diego and together discuss what makes St. Katherine's a great school.
In this episode Dr. Jenkins Welcomes Dr. David Williams (deacon David) and Dr. Evan Getz to Path to the Academy. Professors Williams and Getz teach at St. Katherine's Orthodox University in San Diego and together discuss what makes St. Katherine's a great school.
You can find out about St. Katherine's at https://www.usk.edu/.
For information about Doxamoot, see tinyurl.com/doxamoot2023
In this episode, Dr. Jenkins welcomes back Dr. Joshua Moritz, who will be joining Dr. Jenkins regularly as the podcast starts interacting with the questions the Academy poses and addressing some of the ludicrous and heretical answers that it often gives to those questions.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes his friend Fr. Anthony Perkins, (Good Guys Wear Black), a student of Political Science and a teacher, to talk about what makes a good government for human flourishing, but more importantly, Orthodox flourishing. The discussion covers the state of the university, what Fr. Anthony is up to next, and why the state is not as vital as we might think.
In this episode Dr. Jenkins welcomes Robin Phillips and Joshua Pauling, discussing Robin's new book, Rediscovering the Goodness of Creation: A manual for recovering Gnostics (https://store.ancientfaith.com/rediscovering-the-goodness-of-creation-a-manual-for-recovering-gnostics/). Robin and Joshua are working on a book treating technology and the Faith, out later this year from Basilian Media & Publishing. The conversation roams across the modern map of unreality, from theological liberalism to the virtual world."
In this episode, Dr. Jenkins welcomes his partner in crime from The Rule of Faith Journal, that is, his co-editor-in-chief, the Rev. Dr. Fr. Joseph Lucas to the podcast, as they discuss scholarship in service to the Church, why we need scholarship, and what the future brings for The Rule of Faith.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes Phil and Tessa Cialini, both longtime friends (and Phil a former student) who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of God and the love of the beautiful. Together they discuss how this pursuit works out in their respective vocations, and what it looks like to put this in practice in their own homes.
This episode Dr. Jenkins is joined by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon (who was also welcoming Dr. Jenkins to his own show) as they discuss Fr. Pat's past as a Trappist monk, a student in Rome, and his interaction with some of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century (and a few nefarious ones thrown in). You can find Fr. Pat's books at Ancient Faith, and his one mentioned specifically on Chronicles here: store.ancientfaith.com/chronicles
Dr. Jenkins welcomes Pastor Mike Landsman, half of the Areopagus Podcast crew, to discuss their own interactions with American (ir)religion. From Charismatics to Calvinists to Critical Theory, the conversation ranges across inchoate realm that passes for American faith and culture.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes back his friend, Dr. William J. Tighe, and they discuss what makes the discipline and pursuit of history something that liberates the mind from the errors of the day, all the while forming it for the pursuit of truth.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Dr. Joshua Moritz back to the show to discuss the fundamental question of who we are to look at the world, how our 'modern' perceptions have been skewed, and what we can do to rectify our spiritual vision.
This week Dr. Jenkins welcomes back Dr. Joshua Moritz for wide ranging discussion on thinking about science as Christians, why scholars need other scholars to help them see, how the Bible and Tradition informs our science, why science is always an exercise in revision, and how our Faith should stand unashamed and boldly in the public square.
You can get your tickets for Doxamoot at eventbrite.com/e/doxamoot-2022-a-reverence-for-things-nobler-tickets-343262737087
In this episode, Dr. Jenkins welcomes back Mark Kelly to the podcast, where they resume their conversation on some of the items from their last talk, but then dive in to C. S. Lewis with abandon.
The book Mark mentioned is Joseph Sciambra, Disordered. And the articles from Paul Kingsnorth are The Cross and the Machine (firstthings.com/article/2021/06/the-cross-and-the-machine) and The Anti-Christ Now Rules US All (unherd.com/2022/05/the-anti-christ-now-rules-us-all/).
In this episode, Dr. Jenkins gives an update on the future of the podcast, including upcoming guests, the slightly altered direction of the podcast, and also talks a little about the nature of the Humanities.
For Patterns for Life by Laura E. Wolfe and Lisa Rose, go to https://patternsforlife.org/
And for Doxamoot 2022, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/doxamoot-2022-a-reverence-for-things-nobler-tickets-343262737087
This week Dr. Jenkins welcomes authors, homeschoolers, and Charlotte Mason devotees--both as experts and aficionados--Laura E. Wolfe (Sasha and the Dragon and The Lion and the Saint) and Lisa Rose. Together they discuss Lisa's and Laura's forthcoming book, Patterns for Life: An Orthodox Reflection on Charlotte Mason Education.
In this episode, Dr. Jenkins welcomes a whole slew of guests, that is, some of the books and authors who have helped shape his intellectual outlook along the way.
This week, Dr. Jenkins welcomes his friend of 30 years, Mark J. Kelly, retired soldier and current teacher. Together they discuss the path of their life in the academy, and Mark's formation--against the current as it were--into a classical educator. They also set the stage for their next conversation on C. S. Lewis, John Senior, Paul Kingsnorth, and the current plight of dialogue.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes back Dr. Joshua Moritz as they continue their discussion about the path of Dr. Moritz's intellectual and spiritual pilgrimage. One thing we know, our intrepid hosts don't like Gnosticism.
This week Cyril Jenkins sits down with Dr. Joshua Moritz, philosopher, philosopher of science, archaeologist, lover of theology, apologetics, and above all, a classical learner (and a great conversationalist to boot). Beyond these things, Dr. Moritz is also a faculty member at Chyrsostom Academy, and Dr. Jenkins is wildly happy to introduce him to our audience.
On this episode Dr. Jenkins welcomes back Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, as the two of them, sans chaperon, discuss the Anglo-Saxon world, especially in relation to the poem Beowulf. There are of course inevitable asides to Tolkien, the writing of history, the "death of the author," and the life of the mind.
Prof. Jenkins welcomes John Thompson, librarian at Waynesburg University (holding back chaos). John's life found him present at the start of All Saints Orthodox Church in Chicago, and with that, present at the creation of Touchstone Magazine. He helped oversee the Faith and Learning program at Waynesburg, and while there taught Greek to the most ambitious students. All of this hardly exhausts John's stops along the way.
This episodes Dr. "Doc" Jenkins visits with his old friend Jamey William Bennett, classical educator turned licensed insurance adjuster, podcaster, catechist, rapper, and brand new dad. He and Jamey cover old ground in each of their lives, reflecting on education, Calvinist culture and education, beauty, what learning really entails, and the grave perils of the life of Faith.
This episode Dr. Jenkins submits himself to the inquisition, as Chrysostom Academy Headmaster John Heitzenrater takes the helm as the guest host. The conversation ranges across why study history, why study it as an Orthodox Christian, who and what have formed Cyril's thinking, and what might be the relationship of the St. Basil Society with Chrysostom Academy.
Today Dr. Jenkins welcomes classical teacher, author, journalist, world traveler, “officer and a gentleman,” and all-around Renaissance man, Brad Hoff to The Path to the Academy. Brad is the co-author of Syria Crucified. He and Dr. Jenkins explore the commerce between the life of classical learning and the tribulations faced by Christians, and especially the Christians in Syria with whom, as you will learn, Brad is both knowledgeable about, and keenly tied to.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick back to Path to the Academy, where they discuss St. Basil’s “Address to Young Men on the Right Use of Greek Literature.” St. Basil gives both high and low praise to the pagans, and Fr. Andrew and Dr. Jenkins discuss the text’s relevance for today, how pagans could be virtuous, and why we should read the pagans to help us understand Holy Scripture.
Dr. Jenkins and John Heitzenrater discuss the Renaissance author Leonardo Bruni and his wonderful encomium of Florence; what Bruni can tell us about rhetoric and history; how this small city pursued goodness, truth, and beauty; and what both of these can tell us about classical Orthodox education.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes Andrew Kern, founder and director of The Circe Institute for a lively conversation ranging from pedagogy, to the sorry state of modern education, and of course, to Homer.
This episode Dr. Jenkins takes a nepotistic turn on the podcast, and discusses homeschooling in relationship to classical schooling with his nephew, William A. Jenkins, a homeschooled student who is now Headmaster of Christiana Homeschool Academy, a classical academy in Westminster, MD.
In this episode, Dr. Cyril Jenkins discusses with John Heitzenrater his path from hyper-traditionalist, observant Catholic to Orthodoxy, and what this actually tells us about him as the headmaster of St. Constantine in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania.
In this episode, Dr. Jenkins welcomes back the St. Constantine Headmaster, John Heitzenrater, to discuss what the school day will include for students, both what they will do in class, and what they will do outside (which will also be part of the class). Cyril and John also discuss what classical education does for our children, and why the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania is a great place for this endeavor.
Prof. Jenkins, to his great delight, is joined by two of his former students, Mrs. Monica Chilbert and Mrs. Madeleine Hewitt, who are both classical school teachers and moms, who are also themselves fast friends, but above all, devoted lovers of learning.
Giving more fuel to the conspiracy theory that AFR is just all the same podcast, Prof. Jenkins welcomes back Prof. Bill Tighe to speak about their week with high school students studying Tolkien, and to discuss what the great author has to do with classical education and liberal learning.
Dr. Jenkins welcomes Messers Frank Chilbert and Thomas Sims, who are themselves teachers at classical academy, and who were once Dr. Jenkins's students. The discussion ranges from the desire for the good, to Tom's unloading on what the answer to the question about "know thyself" should really be.
Dr. Jenkins sits down in-studio with John Heitzenrater, the new headmaster of St. Constantine School of Lehigh Valley to speak about what the new school will be like both as regards nut-and-bolts, but also the vision of what this means in the lives of our children, and in the life of the Church.
Today Dr. Jenkins welcomes Josh Gibbs of Veritas Academy, gibbsclassical.com, and author of How to Be Unlucky, and Something They Will Never Forget, both books dealing with classical education and the life of reflection.
Dr. Jenkins introduces us to the St. Constantine School in Lehigh Valley's new headmaster, Mr. John Heitzenrater: classical educator, father of eleven, and a connoisseur of all things having to do with smoked meats.
Fr. Daniel Greeson of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and editor of the "Every Thought Captive" Ancient Faith blog joins Prof. Jenkins today as they discuss the life and legacy of the late Stratford Caldecott and what he says to us not only about education, but thinking and living and imagining.
Dr. Timothy Patitsas joins Dr. Jenkins to discuss how all education and moral training is actually an exercise in aesthetics, and a training first and foremost in the love of beauty.
Dr. Cyril Jenkins welcomes his friend Prof. Bill Tighe to discuss his own life as a student and an educator, and how good literature is the path to the cultivation of the soul.
Dr. Cyril Jenkins interviews Prof. David Bradshaw of the Philosophy Department of the University of Kentucky on our present education predicament, what's needed to correct it, and how every Christian needs to be a philosopher.
Dr. Cyril Jenkins interviews Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, chief content officer of Ancient Faith Ministries, about the importance of an Orthodox Christian education.
Dr. Cyril Jenkins provides an update on the St. Constantine School and interviews Steven Christoforou, the Director of Y2AM and the host of Be the Bee, about the challenges facing contemporary Orthodox youth and what it means to properly develop our children.