The Lord of Spirits – "World of Priestcraft" (Jan 27, 2022)
Hosts: Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick & Fr. Stephen De Young
Theme: The Seen and Unseen World in Orthodox Christian Tradition—A Deep Dive into the Biblical Priesthood
Episode Overview
In this rich, often playful, and deeply theological episode, the hosts explore the roots, purpose, and vocation of the priesthood as revealed in the Bible and lived in Orthodox Christian tradition. They discuss the primal priesthood rooted in Adam, the fracturing and formalization of the priesthood in Israel, its distortion in the pagan world, and its restoration and fulfillment in Christ. The episode also tackles hot-button issues like gender, spiritual motherhood, and the nature of church leadership, with ample focus on how priesthood is meant to permeate not only ordained ministry but all of human life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Priesthood in the Beginning: Adam as Priest
- Eden as Temple: Genesis 1–2 are patterned after ancient Near Eastern temple texts. Creation climaxes with the placement of Adam—the image of God—as the true 'idol' in God's living temple (the Garden/Eden).
[04:00–06:40] - Two-fold Role:
- Adam “images” God actively: a priest represents God to creation, ordering and cultivating it.
- The priest also brings creation to God, offering and integrating it into divine life.
- "It’s a conduit that runs in both directions." — Fr. Stephen [13:18]
- Deep Human Nature: Priesthood isn’t a mere profession or office; it's woven into human nature’s very goal (telos)—what humans are for. “A human being is the being whose end is God.” [15:26]
2. Man & Woman: Humanity as Priestly Community
- Divided Calling: After Eve is fashioned, man 'majors' in ordering, woman in bringing forth life—both share in each other’s work.
- "Ideally, both are participating with the other in the other's work." — Fr. Stephen [17:45]
- Marriage as Mystery: The unity and creative synergy between man and woman is meant to bring order and abundant life.
- Fall as Disintegration: Sin corrupts this dynamic into a power struggle—order versus chaos, domination versus uncontrolled life. [20:26]
3. Patriarchal Priesthood and the Extended Family
- Priesthood = Fatherhood: Patriarchs act as priests for their extended families; priestly and kingly roles are united (cf. Melchizedek).
- "Priesthood, in this sense, is what fatherhood is." — Fr. Stephen [32:24]
- Family Structure Context: The "nuclear family" is modern; ancient biblical families included multiple generations under one roof. [27:00]
- Priesthood is Channeled Masculinity: Priesthood’s function is to channel male energy away from domination towards sanctifying service—"What masculinity needs for salvation is priesthood." [35:32]
4. The Fracturing of the Priesthood in Israel
- Separation at Sinai: After the Exodus, due to failures (esp. Moses not circumcising his son, [56:47]), priesthood is split:
- Moses leads, but Aaron’s line becomes priests. High priesthood eventually narrows (Phinehas → Zadok). [59:18, 62:57]
- The Levites replace the patriarchal elders as the priestly tribe after the golden calf incident. [67:35]
- Priesthood by Violence? No—Korah’s rebellion (Num 16) shows God does not allow self-appointment; "Korah and his fellows go down alive into Sheol" for trying. [82:22]
- Concentric Circles: High Priest → Priests → Levites → Israel → The Nations. Each group serves as a priesthood for the larger circle. [85:48, 105:21]
- Symbolism in Vestments: The High Priest as the icon of Yahweh, echoing Adam in Eden. Vestments emphasize transparency—removal of ego. [86:34]
5. Kingdom of Priests (Exodus 19:5–6)
- Not Opposed to Ordained Priesthood: Israel as a whole is a priestly nation for the world, just as within Israel there are priestly families for the people. St. Peter echoes this for the Church (1 Pet 2:9). [133:03]
6. Priesthood, Gender, and Spiritual Motherhood
- Masculinity & Priesthood: Detailed discussion on priesthood’s relation to masculinity—“male energy...needs to be channeled positively to result in theosis,” and priesthood is the divinely instituted channel. [35:07, 35:32]
- Spiritual Motherhood: Not limited to biological motherhood—women participate in priesthood by bringing life to communities through mentoring, service, and nurturing spiritual life.
- “Part of being a spiritual mother within a community is being the conduit through which that love and joy and peace and caring and life come into that community as a whole.” — Fr. Stephen [95:06]
7. From Old Covenant to New: Christ the Restorer
- Restoration in Christ:
- Christ reunites the divided priesthood and kingship—He is the true Adam, high priest, and king.
- “A priest to be a true priest is to be Christ.” — Fr. Andrew [123:00]
- Fulfillment, Not Abolition: The New Testament priesthood doesn’t abolish the old, but “fills it up to overflowing.” [139:51]
- Church Structure: The NT presbyter (“elder”) becomes priest, patterned on OT elder/priest. Bishops, priests, deacons (and deaconesses) are concentric circles of service; laity retain priestly function to the world. [132:40, 133:06]
8. Practical Outworking: Priesthood for All
- Laity as Priests: All Christians are priests for the world—tasked with reconciling, healing, and integrating the world into the new Paradise (the Eucharistic Church). [134:12–134:55, 163:03]
- Not About Domination: "God didn’t send us into the world to condemn it...but that the world might be saved." — Fr. Stephen [163:33]
- Priestly Living: Parenting, mentoring, leadership—should all be exercised not as power assertion but as conduits of God's mercy, order, and life. [159:10–160:24]
9. Memorable Quotes
- “[Priesthood is] not a job...It is a way in which Adam is to interface with the world—offering it up to God and representing God to it.” — Fr. Stephen [12:30]
- “This is about getting out of the way—ego death, ‘He must increase, I must decrease.’” — Fr. Stephen [42:17]
- “Being super rugged and brawny just comes naturally to me.” — Fr. Stephen (jokingly, about masculinity) [73:51]
- “If things are not in order at home...the man is not going to be able to [lead] outside the home.” — Fr. Andrew [71:51]
- “Priesthood is always exercised in relation to God and someone or something else... Laity are priests to the world outside.” — Fr. Stephen [135:54–136:24]
- “Our task is not to conquer or dominate the world, but to integrate it into the church as the new paradise.” — Fr. Stephen [164:04]
Notable Call-In Segments
On Masculinity and Priesthood (Andrew, [69:31–79:15])
- Fathers reflect on the real challenges of living priestly masculinity in a culture suspicious of it:
- “Real masculinity is about sacrificing oneself and becoming that conduit... about suffering for the people God has given you.” — Fr. Andrew [73:29]
- “My biggest obstacle...is my own ego — wanting to be seen as a man.” — Fr. Stephen [75:21]
On Spiritual Motherhood (Kavya, [90:26–99:54])
- Discussion addresses spiritual motherhood for women who are not literal mothers or nuns:
- “If your focus becomes on bringing life — joy, peace, love — to your community, that’s spiritual motherhood in action.” — Fr. Stephen [95:06]
- “Controlling yourself [internally]...stabilizes your family and community.” — Fr. Andrew [97:16]
Segment Timestamps
00:00–13:30 – Adam as archetypal priest; Eden as temple
13:30–21:30 – Priesthood as human nature’s telos; man & woman’s complementary roles
21:30–35:00 – Patriarchal priesthood; family structures
35:00–44:00 – Priesthood, masculinity, domination vs. genuine offering
51:29–61:00 – Moses, Aaron, and the splitting of roles; loss of priesthood as consequence
62:00–85:30 – Priesthood of the Levites; Golden Calf; Korah’s rebellion
85:35–90:07 – High priest’s vestments, iconography
90:26–99:54 – Caller on spiritual motherhood
103:45–109:39 – Israel as kingdom of priests; sacrifices for the world
111:03–116:57 – Hasmoneans, Sadducees, temple corruption at time of Christ
120:15–140:50 – Restoration in Christ, fulfillment not abolition, NT priesthood
147:17–151:27 – Dangers of “priesthood” as merely power or caregiving
154:46–158:44 – Priestly living; storytelling as priestly activity; bringing world to God
159:10–165:20 – Practical priesthood: integrating world into the church, beyond power/ideology
Tone & Takeaway
With their characteristic blend of serious theology, quirky asides, and cultural critique, Frs. Andrew and Stephen guide the listener from the cosmic priesthood inscribed into creation to its concrete outworking in church life, family, and beyond. Priesthood, they insist, is not a “position” but the restoration of our human calling in Christ—the offering of both world to God and God to the world, in a conduit of sacrificial love and life.
For Further Reflection
- How does recognizing all humanity as called to priesthood change the way you approach daily life—parenting, working, leading, serving?
- In what ways can you be a “conduit”—transparent to God’s grace and mercy—in your community?
- How do contemporary questions (e.g., gender, authority, family) shift when seen through the lens of priesthood-as-vocation?
To Listen:
Find the episode on Ancient Faith Radio
Questions?
Email: lordofspirits@ancientfaith.com
“Our task is not to conquer or dominate the world, but to integrate it into the church as the new paradise.” — Fr. Stephen De Young ([164:04])