As Iron Sharpens Iron

We start this episode with a question which Paul has been pondering for some time: Is there a specifically masculine aspect to virtue?

The answer may surprise you in this comnversation with Fr Hans and Fr Michael where we cover the connection between virtue and masculine, the role of paternal love and how having a supportive brothrhood can help you to build yourself and those around you up as men together.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, or to find the link to the homily from St John Chrysostom as mentioned by Fr Hans on the podcast, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

Fr. Hans Jacobse starts his examination of “Is Creation Patriarchal” by explaining how we discover that our soul is ordered and has structure. He talks about how many men find Christ through the pain of their souls. This pain forces man to recognize that he indeed has a soul and he must tend and cultivate it because its with the soul that he encounters God who brings healing to him.

This is part one of a two part series where the discovery of the soul and its structure reveals that creation has an ordering too. When the soul comports to the native of structure of creation the love of God the Father can flow into the man and be experienced as a paternal love. This occurs in the context of the love between brothers, either between spiritual father and son, brother to brother, or both.

In this episode, Fr Michael Butler defines patriarchy as the summit of mature masculinity. He distinguishes immature (toxic) masculinity from mature masculinity then goes on to show that patriarchy has defining characteristics of being centered in God, with the Cross of Christ as it symbol; protective, maintaining order against chaos; generative in creating and providing for others; and encouraging, affirming and blessing others. Mufasa from The Lion King and Abraham in the book of Genesis are used as two examples of patriarchy, from popular culture and Holy Scripture.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

A conversation with the host of the Symbolic World and Orthodox icon carver, Jonathan Pageau.

0:00 - Coming up

1:00 - Introducing the interview and topic of Patriarchy

2:31 - What has Jonathan been up to, especially Mt Athos visit

8:34 - The ideals and pragmatics of Patriarchy

14:34 - Patriarchy as a pattern of reality

20:00 - On female priests in Christianity

23:33 - Feminine and masculine in the sacraments

26:07 - Marriage as the testing ground of aligning with patterns of reality

28:47 - How to lead as a father in modern society

31:15 - Directing your sexual energy as vital to earning your salvation

33:05 - The temptation for men to hand over the priestly role to their partner

36:30 - How to navigate leading your family with compassion and courage

40:20 - Work - life balance

42:50 - Jonathan's social media engagement

43:30 - Paternal love - through spiritual fatherhood and brotherhood

46:00 - Men in Jonathans parish, circle of friends and family

49:00 - The risk of isolation and stagnation as men age

52:40 - Jonathan's relationship with Jordan Peterson

54:00 - Depth vs breadth in friendships

58:32 - Sins of the right and anger as a power

1:01:35 - The approach of Fr Josiah Trenham and learning obedience

1:05:05 - Taking confession and communion every week as a practice

1:07:35 - Jonathan on and off the pedestal

1:09:54 - A short interlude on Maniphesto

1:11:04 - The balance between sharing publically and staying private

1:16:05 - On The Priesthood and man's priestly role is his family

1:23:22 - What we can learn from military hierarchy

For more info on Maniphesto Core, see https://maniphesto.com/core-member/

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

Starting off a new season in As Iron Sharpens Iron, we recap why it is we are doing this podcast and what we are trying to achieve.

A central part of our approach has turned out to be focused on the integration of considering deep and profound ideas about manhood, but constantly returning to practice, and how we are living our own lives as men, husbands, colleagues.

We consider what it means to say that patriarchy is the fundamental structure of reality, how that relates to the teaching of the Church Fathers, and the presence of Christ in all of creation. By taking our place as a child in a family of a father, we are able to begin to see clearly to take our own place in society. We speak about the role of the priest, specifically regarding Orthodox Priests, the priestly role of the man in his family as well as the issue with female priests in the Church. The episode concludes with considering the Theotokos as the correct role model for men for drawing closer to God.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

In our final episode of the season, we have a discussion of how the podcast has gone so far, and cover particularly several perspectives on the foundations of Patriarchy:

- How the Mother of God is the ideal blueprint for being a man

- Stability in your own life as a prerequisite for leading a family

- How strong brotherhood is essential in leading a family

Finishing off season 1 of this podcast, we laid out our plans for the next season, which we intend to be an exploration of Patirarchy - from symbolism, virtues, scripture and saints and also to particularly look at violence and conflict.

Finally, we announced plans for a Men's Gathering in Detroit in October 2023 - more details coming soon!

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

This is a conversation with Fr Josiah Trenham on the subject of Purpose.

Every part of your life can be raised up to a meaningful engagement with God, the Creator of the Universe. If you bring prayer and awareness of the presence of God into every task that you do, then you can find purpose in all of life. Life as a man is tough. We sholder responsibility and do what we can to stay in integrity with the Grace of God. When we fall, as we often do, then we get up again.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

To find more content and information on Fr Josiah, take a look at his web site https://patristicnectar.org/

Fr Hans talks about purpose, where the boy first sees it and how it has to be and developed in the man.

Our purpose is discovered only in relation to God because a man’s purpose requires the cultivation of virtue, and virtue has its source in our Creator.

In our age the dominant culture is corrupted. Boys become sidetracked into vices that fragments the inner man and stifles their development into stable adulthood.

Only a return to God and learning the obedience by which vice is conquered will lead them out of their weakness into strength.

The Orthodox Church understands this. It is unashamedly patriarchal. Men need challenge. They respond to challenge. That is why many men are entering the Orthodox Church.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

In this episode, Fr Michael Butler talks about finding your purpose in life. He addresses the question: how do I know if my purpose aligns with God’s will? And he discusses aspects of finding your purpose, which include starting with your best idea and course-correcting along the way; overcoming your passions to gain clarity about your purpose; learning to get quiet so you can hear your own heart; getting the courage you need to find and follow your purpose; and being patient with yourself in the process.

To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast

"Purpose" is the final topic of our first season and we open the topic in this discussion between Fr Michael Butler, Fr Hans and Paul. Listen to this episode on how a life aimed towards Christ leads men towards creative and meaningful purpose. We cover the following topics:

- contrasting self help approaches to purpose and the Orthodox faith

- balancing making money with meaningful purpose

- purpose at the intersection of ability and interests

- asceticism as a vital element in finding purpose

- barriers to finding purpose - pain avoidance in younger men who have yet to launch and older men who are ticking the boxes

- how the delusion of relativism prevents men from finding purpose - and how a brotherhood providing confirmation and affirmation can help keeping men on the path

- how visiting a monastery can help to find purpose