Church History for Chumps

By ay big dog mediaSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity History

Church History for Chumps episodes

October 13 158. Did Medieval Christians Talk to the Dead?
Last week, in true spooky fashion, we talked about how the early church dealt with the topic of the ghostly ghouls.
This week, we'll go forward in time and consider the ways of our medieval brothers, particularly Saint Bede and Anselm.
Both have interesting key writings that engage with the topics of talking to the dead, receiving messages from the dead, or the special insights that the dying can receive from the other side.
It's all very interesting. Or at least we think so.
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1 hr 10 min
October 06 157. Did the Early Church Believe in Ghosts?
It's a phenomenon that's as old as time itself.
Just about any culture you can think of has some example of ghostly creatures wandering the earth.
But what did the early church think? Were they 'superstitious' by modern standards? Or maybe just a little stitious?
Join us as we discuss Augustine and Gregory the Great and their unique views on the ghouls of history.
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1 hr 16 min
October 01 156. CHUMP TALK: So what IS Evangelicalism??
'Evangelicals' is one of those terms that the news loves yet doesn't seem to understand.
It's a strange word in Christian circles. It doesn't connect neatly to one tradition or denomination. It's often lumped in with voting blocs, and usually it's a bad word. Or a really, really good word. Depending on who you're talking to.
So let's get down to the bottom of this, once and for all. What is an evangelical? Where did they come from? Are they good? Are they safe for your skin? Are they gluten free? Do they come in different flavors?
Taylor and John will answer all of those questions and many more.
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57 min
September 29 155. The Earliest Reformers in Europe: The Story of the Waldensians
The 12th century was kind of a strange time. While knights and tough guys all across Europe were fighting crusades, everyday people seemed to be starting their own movements.
Most of them were heretical.
In the fog of heresy however a new group arose. Led by a lay preacher with a penchant for poverty and a love for the lingua franca, Peter Waldo launched the Waldensians. These proto-reformers would spend much of their lifespan in hiding, enduring religious wars, inquisitions, and persecutions far and wide.
Join us as we discuss a truly fascinating bunch of believers that unknowingly paved the way for the great Reformation.
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1 hr 3 min
September 22 154. The Crusade Against Christians: The Sack of Constantinople
Ever since the Venetians got involved, we knew the crusaders were in trouble.
(Apologies to any listeners from Venice)
Led by the grizzled military veteran Doge Dandalo, the crusaders were forcibly detoured by the exploits of the Venetians in order to repay their massive debt. Eventually, they found their way outside the walls of the gem of the Eastern Roman Empire.
What would follow would be one of the darkest days of all the medieval era. The crusaders would break through the walls and subject the Eastern city to all kinds of atrocities. It was not fun.
But you know what IS fun? Our discord :D
But also, D:
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1 hr 9 min
September 15 153. How the Fourth Crusade Went Broke Before It Started
Pope Innocent III wasn't out to have history repeat itself. He was determined for his crusade to be a spiritual endeavor backed by pious Christians as they retook the Holy Land from the Ayyubids.
Unfortunately, the Fourth Crusade ran into its fair share of issues before it even started. Political rivalries, financial issues, and changing spiritual values all severely impacted recruitment for the crusade.
The Fourth Crusade seemed to be losing steam before it even started.
But perhaps their new alliance with the Venetians could help?
:0
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1 hr 3 min
September 08 152. Pope Innocent III & The Dawn of the Fourth Crusade
The Third Crusade was over. Saladin and Richard the Lionheart had perished. The Crusader States sat with a reinforced coastline but without its prize jewel: the city of Jerusalem itself.
The year is 1198. A new figurehead ascends to leadership. Innocent III, at only 37 years of age, ascends to his papal throne with an eye toward the Holy City. Within months of his election he has already prepared his call to all of Christendom.
The next Crusade is about to begin.
Join Taylor and John as we practice our Latin and count down the days until the Siege of Constantinople.
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1 hr 11 min
September 01 151. Where Did Oneness Pentecostalism Come From?
American Christianity has a knack for being...interesting.
The 19th Century spawned a number of new denominations, each with their own different takes on the classical traditions that their fathers and grandfathers immigrated to America with.
The 20th Century though, that's a whole new story.
One of the more eclectic traditions to surface during this period came from an early rift between the newly established Pentecostal view, with clashing views on the Trinity.
So how did we get here? Where did this all start? And WHO is R.E. McAlister???
We have the answers for all of that and more.
And fret no longer, megafans of John's wife Annie, for she has returned! But don't worry, Taylor's here too. For now.
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1 hr 16 min
August 28 150. The History of Christian Missions: Two Thousand Years in Sixty Minutes!
There are few passages of Scripture more influential than the Great Commission. The words of Jesus to His followers, calling them to go out into the world and make disciples, have rung out for two thousand years.
And the Church's answer to that call has often been as diverse as the Christians responding to it. In some periods, Christians were committed to a grassroots method of simple living, relationship, and evangelism. Celtic Christianity brought its own flavor as well. As the Church and Empire walked hand in hand, missions efforts grew to have more of a political punch.
So join Taylor and John as we attempt the gargantuan effort of condensing the history of missions into, say, 60 minutes? Maybe 70? We'll do our best. Pray for us.
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1 hr 9 min
August 25 149. Saint Irenaeus: Gnostics Hate to See Him Coming
Irenaeus of Lyon was easily one of the most influential early church theologians of this time. At the very least he definitely had the most vowels in his name.
Just a quick glimpse at his rap sheet: he was (sorta) discipled by Polycarp. He endured a wave of Roman persecution. He fought tooth and nail against the Gnostics. AND he wrote the most enduring, detailed defense against a wide range of early heresies.
There's a reason he's a Doctor of the Church. If your tradition cares about that kind of thing.
So let's talk heresy, let's talk apostolic succession, let's talk Irenaeus!
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1 hr 5 min