Elizabeth’s research focuses on King James VI & V’s experience with witch hunting in Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries and the Early Modern European witch trials and asks the question, “How did King James VI’s elevated political position and strong beliefs concerning the witch phenomenon influence 16th and 17th-century societal, religious, and political life during the Scottish and English witch trials?” She closely examines Dæmonology, written by King James during this time period, and several other supporting sources. 

The research on William Williams, Pantycelyn seeks to integrate his life and his work within the context of the Welsh Reformation and on the wider Protestant world. While it is not original research, per se, it is original in the sense that this research seeks to shine a light on William Williams, Pantycelyn from a viewpoint within twenty-first century United States. The research first seeks to understand the cultural and religious landscape of eighteenth century Wales before looking at Williams’s life and particularly his most famous work Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch (in English, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah/Redeemer)

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition, however in the case of Francisca de los Apostolés, the inquisition was directly involved in the suppression of her goals to reform the Catholic Church. Her ambitions included reforming the corrupt officials within the church and helping the poor women in the town of Toledo. Listen as we dive into the visions she claims to have and her torment from demons as she fights for reform within the church.

Queen Jeanne III of Navarre was deeply involved in the spread of the reformation in France. She was a member by marriage of the Bourbon family, the primary leaders of the protestant Huguenot faction in the Wars of Religion. Throughout her life she worked to legitimize their cause by strengthening their ties to the crown. Yet, hers was not a political faith but a firm trust built on study and conviction.

In this episode, we will explore the use of images as a persuasive medium in the long reformation. this will be explored through the inventions of new technologies, and a set of images drawn by Lucas Cranach the Elder and Martin Luther.

The Anabaptist belief and practices started in Zurich in the Swiss lands in the early 16th century. Their main purpose and what separated them from the other religions of the time was adult baptisim. They believed that being baptized as a child in “holy” water was not the correct way, and people should live the truth of their religion. Also as Anabaptists, they believed in taking scripture literally, and in polygamy. The Anabaptists were driving out of Zurich, then made their home in Strasburg, and then finally in Munster, Each time claiming that each city was the ‘New Jerusalem”. A sermon by Bernard Rothmann outlined what they believed in, and in the end the Catholics and other Protestants sieged Munster, captured the leadrs of the Anabaptist, tortured them, hung their bodies in cages above the church in Munster, and the religion was dead. Today the closest the world comes to Anabaptist are the Amish.

In this episode of Hear the Voice and Prayer, Elyse discusses her research into hymn writing and the role of music during the 16th century, specifically related to the Protestant Reformation and the bold songs of Martin Luther. The role of melody and lyrics are analyzed as Dr. Robinson and Elyse survey songs that were contemporaries of Luther’s famous A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. They also discuss the varied uses of these hymns, the role of the printing press in distributing these hymns, and how hymns themselves were assertions of Protestant rebellion against Catholicism. 

The episode discusses Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam and his work, Praise of Folly. It covers Erasmus’ background, including his parentage, his education by the Brethren of the Common Life and at the University of Paris, and some of the key people who influenced his Renaissance Humanism. The episode then discusses aspects of Praise of Folly that point to some of Erasmus’ views on religion and society in the 16th century. Finally, in light of Erasmus’ background and his stances in Praise of Folly, the episode discusses the significance of Erasmus’ influence on the subsequent reformations.

Get ready for season 2 of Hear the Voice and Prayer! New episodes dropping in May 2023!

In the final episode of this series of Hear the Voice and Prayer Janae Kennedy joins host Kyle Robinson for a look at the more humorous side of Luther’s personality as well as an extended discussion on the importance of the history of the body for understanding the Reformation.