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What happens when a future physicist in the Soviet Union secretly reads the Bible and discovers a calling to theology instead?
In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk, Aquinas Chair in Theology and Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, noted Orthodox theologian, scholar of the early Church, and founder of Rebuild Ukraine, for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, theology, war, and Christian hope.
Growing up in Soviet Ukraine, Gavrilyuk had little religious instruction until his mother obtained a Russian translation of the Bible. What began as curiosity eventually became a life-changing encounter with Christianity, leading him from studies in physics at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology to theological studies and a distinguished academic career.
The conversation explores the spiritual senses, the role of theology in Christian formation, the legacy of Billy Abraham, and the significance of the Nicene Creed for the Church today. Dr. Gavrilyuk also reflects on Russia’s war against Ukraine, the theological challenges it raises, and the work of Rebuild Ukraine in supporting children, refugees, and communities affected by the conflict.
Whether you're interested in Orthodox theology, church history, Christian unity, or the question of how faith endures amid suffering, this episode offers wisdom, insight, and hope.
KEY TOPICS COVERED
0:00 Introduction to Paul Gavrilyuk
1:00 Growing up in Soviet Ukraine
4:00 From physics to theology
8:00 Studying at Perkins School of Theology
11:00 The influence of Billy Abraham
16:00 What are the spiritual senses?
21:00 Cultivating awareness of God's presence
25:00 Rebuild Ukraine and humanitarian work
31:00 Theology in the midst of war
33:00 The Russian Orthodox Church and the war in Ukraine
40:00 The International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA)
42:00 Why the Nicene Creed still matters
48:00 Orthodoxy, modernity, and the future of the Church
MENTIONS
• War and Peace — Leo Tolstoy
• Canon and Criterion — Billy Abraham
• The Epistle to the Romans Commentary — Karl Barth
• International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA) - https://iota-web.org/
• Rebuild Ukraine - https://rebuild-ua.org/
ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.
