In the 12th Century, Saladin is steadily gathering the infinity stones of Islamic territories. 

Mosul, Aleppo, Damascus. The threat of a united Islamic front appears plausible, and this is a terrifying reality for the Crusader States.

Because they know that their foes have their eyes fixed on Jerusalem. 

And in 1187, the city that had been a Christian stronghold for nearly a century, falls to the Ayyubids.

Is the siege as brutal as the one in 1099? Is Saladin the pious leader that he's often made out to be? Are John and Taylor EVER going to do a watch party so we can all experience Kingdom of God together??? 

Soon you'll have the answers to all these questions and more. 

Support the show

It's pretty fascinating to look at the idea of 'church membership' through a historical lens. 

It's fair to assume that the early church probably wasn't having people fill out visitor cards or handing out coffee mugs with the church logo on it. 

So that leaves us in a tricky position: what does it look like to truly 'belong' to a church in this day and age? And what should be required of someone who does choose to commit to their church?

Join us as we esteemed podcasters provide answers that you should honestly just talk to your pastor about. But hey, thanks for listening to us anyway! You ROCK!

Note from John: "Hey, I realized after recording this that I forgot that ELDERS exist! Really embarrassing on my end. I don't believe that pastors should have supreme control, elders are great and biblical assets for checks and balances. Pls don't beat me up in the comments."

Support the show

The Second Crusade was, for all intents and purposes, filler content. Not much land traded hands, the Franks kind of embarrassed themselves, not many crazy battles. Boring, am I right?

The Third Crusade though? That's where things get poppin.

In the decades between the two holy skirmishes, the Islamic world finds itself in a state of renewal under a newly unifying Kurdish Dynasty. Soon, the eyes of Islam would set its gaze on the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Join us as we discuss the rise of two of the most distinct figures of the Third Crusade, Salah al-Din and Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.

Also, Taylor tries fruitlessly to defend his addiction to Monster energy drinks, and the guys speak for about 45 seconds about the SBC conference.

Support the show

fdsfds

Support the show

This one goes out to all our pals in California. And anyone who really likes gold.

The early half of the 19th century was a massive time of western expansion in the United States. One of the most fascinating movements among this era was the explosive migration of young men flooding into California, hoping to make it rich off of gold.

But what was the church doing during this time? Well, sending missionaries of course! Join us (as we are joined by special guest Dr. Taylor Mendoza) as we discuss a scintillating time in American history coupled by a unique glimpse into how churches approached evangelism in new frontiers.

Also let us know if you'll be joining the annual Taylor Convention this year. Word is that Taylor Treadway will be a keynote speaker doing his speech, "I'm not a girl, but my name is Taylor." Don't miss it! 

Support the show

Who wants to go on a trip?!

Our journey through the Crusades have brought up an interesting topic: what's the deal with Christians traveling far and wide to visit so-called holy sites? 

Well join us today as we dig deeper into the historical idea of going on pilgrimage within different eras of the faith, and what it means for us today.

And why maybe, just maybe, you should talk to your pastor before getting re-baptized in the Jordan River on your tour through the Holy Land.

Just saying.

Support the show

Let's take it back old school for a minute. 

In the 4th century, the church was moving a little differently. In the east, Greek was still the common language, and they were loving the easy access to the earliest biblical texts. 

The Latin speakers had a problem though: there were few Latin translations of the Bible, and the ones that existed were pretty lousy. 

Enter Jerome. The hot-headed, extra caliente church father with a penchant for languages. Here to change the world with the translation that would require decades of labor. The Latin Vulgate.

Also, John and Taylor talk about whether Taylor could work on a crab boat. I think he could off of looks alone, tbh. 

Support the show

Did you know that jet fuel can melt steel beams?

Or wait, it can't. 

I'm not sure anymore. 

People love conspiracy theories though. There's something very punk rock and anti-establishment about deciding that we don't accept the facts that we're being given.

But when does going down a quick YouTube rabbit hole for fun turn into something that may not be great for our hearts?

That's probably a good question to ask in this day and age. 

Join John and Taylor as we once again share ancient wisdom that can only flow from the mouths of podcasters. 

And if you HATED this topic, remember you can pick the next one! Check out the link below! 

Support the show

Who doesn't love a little Indiana Jones reference, right?

It seems like the Western Christian world has been fascinated for ages with the mystical (and possibly magical) qualities of such objects like the Shroud of Turin or the Holy Lance. But what does the historical church have to say about these objects?

And do they honestly hold up to scrutiny? The simple answer is...no? But also, maybe? Like it depends on who you ask. It'll make more sense after you listen.

Also encourage John and Taylor to keep going on their weight loss goals by contributing to our Buy Me a Coffee, or else Taylor will buy a whole coffee cake for himself. 

Support the show

"So great was the disaster of the army and so inexpressible the misery that those who took part bemoan it with tears to this very day."

The Second Crusade failed to capture lightning in a bottle a second time. What was proposed as a rousing show of support to Christian brothers ended with dissent, accusations, and rumors of betrayal. 

It's a bad time. 

Thanks for joining us as we wrap up our coverage of Crusade #2!

Also, do John and Taylor need to start a fitness podcast? Or maybe just starting taking care of ourselves better? 

Hmmm.

Support the show