CrossCurrent Podcasts

Restoring the Ancient Religion: The Theurgic Orthopraxy of Iamblichus (Palgrave MacMillan, 2026) reconsiders Iamblichus’ Response to Porphyry, Late Antiquity’s seminal work on theurgy, which is often referred to as De Mysteriis. Was this text intended to be more than just a defense of ritualism or a philosophical crossing of metaphysical wits between Porphyry and Iamblichus? This volume examines whether De Mysteriis constituted a manifesto of restoration, a call to resignify and revive a religion that Iamblichus felt was spiraling into barren traditionalism.
Through a nuanced examination of Iamblichus’ theurgy, this book shows the emergence of a sophisticated philosophic-ritualistic system, one designed to reform religious practice through divine epiphanies and direct communication with the gods. Using a thorough textual analysis, this book uncovers crucial distinctions between theurgy and magic and explores the mechanics of divine illumination during theurgic rituals in the context of Iamblichus' intricate hierarchy of spiritual beings. In this system, this book demonstrates, material objects could become vessels of divine power and humans could become interlocutors with the divine itself.

New Books in Late Antiquity is presented by Ancient Jew Review

Marios Koutsoukos received his PhD in Classics from the University of Liverpool, UK. His current research focuses on Late Antique theurgy, hermeticism, Graeco-Egyptian magic, animated statues and the survival of mystery cults beyond the sixth century. He also works as a fiction author, translator and screenwriter.

Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/christian-studies

There is an opening for Christians to speak with excellence into the arts.

_________

For more resources visit breakpoint.org.  

What will heaven be like? Does everyone go there? Grammy-nominated singer and beloved television host, Sheila Walsh, shares from her new book, The Hope of Heaven: How the Promise of Heaven Changes Everything. Sheila shares why what we believe about heaven shapes how you live today! If you’re looking for encouragement, or a fresh glimpse of God’s love for you and your family, Sheila shares the incredible hope we have in Jesus Christ.
Receive a copy of The Hope of Heaven and an audio download of "Finding Hope in the Promise of Heaven" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.
Just as home offers belonging, rest, and security, so does a relationship with Jesus Christ. This article explains how to join God's eternal family. 
Speak with one of our counselors
What does heaven teach us about God? In this audio collection, you’ll hear stories and biblical insights about heaven from Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, featuring guests like John Burke, Lee Strobel, Randy Alcorn, and Erwin Lutzer.
We'd love to hear your story or comments about how Focus on the Family has made a difference. Please click below to leave a message for Jim Daly. Your story might inspire others, and we appreciate your voice!

Benjamin and his wife, Brooke, have six children. He has written for The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, 9Marks, Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Desiring God, and For The Church. He is the author of several books, including "The Restoration of All Things," "Blogging for God's Glory in a Clickbait World," and "Don't Just Send a Resume."

He earned a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri and a masters in divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. He is the lead pastor at Community Evangelical Free Church in Harrisburg, PA.

In Jacob: Conflicted Twin, Aggrieved Patriarch (Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2025), George Savran brings his narrative interpretive approach to look closely at Jacob's shifting identity. Jacob is indelibly linked to his brother Esau in the Genesis narrative, and their complex relationship as twins foregrounds this problematic connection. Jacob's lineage is examined-he differs noticeably from his ancestors and his offspring in the complexity of his changing character. At times he is a "simple man" at the mercy of the demands of others; elsewhere he is a devious trickster eager to use his wits to achieve personal success. His search for a coherent identity, as it unfolds in this study, leads to his emergence as the patriarch of his family, compelled to make peace with his brother and his sons in the midst of ongoing conflict.

This study brings out how Jacob's mature identity is clarified further by his reactions to three unusual and unexpected encounters which shed light on his ability to recalibrate his self-understanding.

Savran's interpretation of these reactions underscores their significance in Jacob's development, revealing a character of depth and resilience and giving new meaning to his role as the avatar of Israel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/christian-studies

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Daly continues his conversation with television host Sheila Walsh, sharing from her new book, The Hope of Heaven: How the Promise of Heaven Changes Everything. If you’re looking for encouragement or a fresh glimpse of God’s love for you and your family, Sheila shares the incredible hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Get your copy of Sheila Walsh's book, The Hope of Heaven, for a donation of any amount.

Just as home offers belonging, rest, and security, so does a relationship with Jesus Christ. This article explains how to join God's eternal family. 

Speak with one of our counselors

What does heaven teach us about God? In this audio collection, you’ll hear stories and biblical insights about heaven from Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, featuring guests like John Burke, Lee Strobel, Randy Alcorn, and Erwin Lutzer.

We'd love to hear your story or comments about how Focus on the Family has made a difference. Please click below to leave a message for Jim Daly. Your story might inspire others, and we appreciate your voice! 

For those who don't know who they are, or why they are, or how to live, there is hope.

__________

Apply for the Colson Fellows program at colsonfellows.org/apply.