Blinded by Rage

How Anger Keeps Us from Seeing God

De: Theodore Pulcini, Oswin Craton

Narrado por: Michael Landsman

Modern society encourages us to embrace the power of anger. Indeed, the world sees the passion of anger as a virtue that can be used to help right wrongs. But what do Scripture and the Fathers say about it? Does this passion have a place in our walk with Christ? Is expressing outrage at societal ills a true reflection of God's attitude toward these evils, or does it instead blind us to His presence? Father Theodore Pulcini, a frequent lecturer on the subject of anger, and Oswin Craton, join together to examine how anger affects our journey toward theosis.

©2026 Fr. Theodore Pulcini and Oswin Craton (P)2026 Fr. Theodore Pulcini and Oswin Craton

An Illuminating Work on the Dangers of Wrath

I was provided a copy of the audiobook for "Blinded By Rage" as part of a promotion.

I always look at new works from Ancient Faith Publishing, but "Blinded By Rage" had my attention from the start. Since an early age, I've found myself engaging in arguments and debates (both formal and informal) in order to meet some need for emotional stimulation. As social media has grown into today's overwhelming cultural force, these impulses have only gotten worse. I've taken many breaks from social media to try to ease off this habit. On an intellectual level, I'm aware that engaging with "rage bait" isn't good practice, but emotionally I've been unable to avoid it.

"Blinded By Rage" was a refreshing listen. It reviews the Biblical and historical justifications against forms of anger (and especially the concept of "righteous anger") while addressing the traditional remedies for these emotions. Most importantly for me, it also looks to provide the reader with avenues for addressing the concerns and causes of anger while releasing the emotion itself. I was inspired by an anecdote regarding an Orthodox Christian who wanted to support the Black Lives Matter movement and how his priest provided spiritual direction. I am a social worker seeing injustice every day, so it's important to me to have the beginnings of a framework for addressing injustice without dwelling on my own destructive emotions. I've also been disturbed by how our culture is increasingly informed by rage and disgust, and I hope that this work will help me fight against that in my own circles. I think this is a short, lovely guide for those beginning to break down their own cycles of anger.

So good I’m listening to it again

Incredible book…. Gave me alot to work through. I have become aware of my own anger having read the book and have become more aware of it. Thank God for this book.

Succinct and Powerful

Well read. There are three or four places where one sentence is repeated, but otherwise this is a well narrated book.

As to the content, very rarely have I come across something so beneficial in such a short text (the physical book is only 79 pages, I believe). It’s practical and deep without being dense.

I have spent a lot of time with the passion of anger, and I wish I had had the orthodox understanding decades ago.

A Thoughtful Orthodox Perspective on Anger

Blinded by Rage by Fr. Theodore Pulcini is a thoughtful and timely exploration of anger from an Orthodox perspective. At a time when our culture often encourages us to embrace anger as the appropriate response to injustice, Fr. Theodore invites us to consider what Scripture and the Church Fathers actually teach about this passion and its place in the Christian life.

Beginning with the biblical witness and continuing through the writings of the Fathers, the book explains that anger was not given to us as a weapon against our neighbor. Rather, following the patristic tradition, Fr. Theodore shows that the faculty of anger is meant for spiritual warfare: resisting temptation, combating the demons, and turning ourselves toward repentance. Seen in that light, what we often call "righteous anger" toward other people can instead become a passion that blinds us to God's presence and hinders our growth in Christ.

One of the things I appreciated most about the book is how firmly it is grounded in the wisdom of the Fathers. Fr. Theodore draws extensively from the Church Fathers, particularly St. John Cassian and St. John Chrysostom, along with other patristic and contemporary Orthodox sources, allowing their pastoral wisdom to speak with remarkable clarity. I especially appreciated the chapter on "Patristic Anger Therapy." Rather than simply describing the problem, Fr. Theodore offers practical ways to begin healing this passion. His encouragement to pray the Psalms stood out to me as a concrete practice for redirecting anger toward its proper purpose.

Having wrestled with these questions in my own life and having walked alongside other women healing from trauma, I found this part of the book especially meaningful. I've seen how much confusion and shame can surround topics such as anger and forgiveness. I know firsthand that anger in response to injustice is real, and even necessary at times. But I also know how easily that anger can become something we continue to carry long after it has served its purpose. It can turn inward as self-condemnation or outward in ways that wound others. What I appreciated most is that Fr. Theodore doesn't approach anger simply as something to suppress, but as a God-given faculty that has been misdirected and can be healed. He does not minimize the reality of injustice or suffering. Instead, he offers a deeply Orthodox vision of how this passion can be redirected toward repentance, spiritual vigilance, and greater freedom in Christ.

I listened to the audiobook version, which is very well done. The narrator speaks clearly, pronounces names and quotations well, and maintains a measured pace that gives listeners time to reflect on the many passages from Scripture and the Fathers. The narration complements the contemplative nature of the book and makes it easy to listen carefully. This is an audiobook I know I'll listen to again.

Although Blinded by Rage is brief, I found myself thinking about it long after I finished listening. It is about much more than managing anger. It is about healing the passions so that we can become more like Christ. I recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand the Orthodox teaching on anger or who is looking for practical guidance in redirecting this God-given faculty toward its proper purpose.