Chris and Casey discuss the main beliefs and practices of the main Christian groups that were active immediately after the Protestant Reformation, in about the turn of the 16th century AD. They briefly explain the origins of each group, and then summarize their beliefs regarding Authority, Salvation, Baptism, Communion, Church Government, and finally what distinguishes them as unique among the others. The groups covered include the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, the Reformed/Presbyterian Churches, the Anabaptists, the Anglican Church, and the Baptists. They end by explaining which of the groups they believe to be most in alignment with New Testament teaching, and how we as believers should respond to such a diversity of groups and beliefs.

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Recommended resources:

The Council of Trent

The Heidelberg Catechism

The Belgic Confession

The Thirty-Nine Articles

The Augsburg Confession

The 2nd Helvetic Confession

The 1644 London Baptist Confession

The Westminster Confession

Chris and Casey discuss the amazing stories of the first Anabaptists during the Protestant Reformation. Although they are largely discredited, discounted, and misunderstood, they were the true reformers of the Reformation, who actually followed the principle of sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) to its logical conclusions. By doing so, they became convinced of believer's baptism, the separation of church and state, religious liberty, and a more authentic priesthood of every believer. They paid a severely heavy price for following their convictions, as they not only opposed Roman Catholicism, but also the standard Reformed Protestantism of the time, both of which sought to persuade and silence them through the use of cruel violence.

Your historians give a general timeline of the major events of the Anabaptist movement, and tell the stories of its major leaders, beliefs, successes, mistakes, and results. They also point out the much-needed lessons for today's western Christians in our walk of discipleship and efforts at reformation of our lives and assemblies. We all need to grow in the zeal, courage, and love that the Anabaptists displayed.

Recommended resources:

Early Baptists by Dan Nelson

The Reformers and Their Stepchildren by Leonard Verduin

The Anabaptist Story by William Estep

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Chris and Casey discuss the beginnings, well-known people, major events, and results of the popularized magisterial Reformation of the 1500s. They emphasize that the magisterial reformers and their allies were almost just as concerned with reforming society and government as they were with reforming Christian teachings and practices. They show that such a reformation would be nearly impossible to imitate today, while highlighting both the virtues and failures of the various reformations in several European countries. They also call western believers to recognize the ways in which we need to reform, and to do something about it.

Recommended resources:

Faith of Our Fathers: Scenes from Church History

History of the Christian Church by George Park Fisher

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Chris and Casey discuss the major events, ideas, people, and results of the Renaissance era. They pinpoint the new discoveries, philosophies, practices, and institutions that were birthed in this period. Specifically, such topics as the rise of nationalism, humanism, literacy, and great technological advancements are described. Finally, they reflect on how modern-day Christians can learn from the aspirations, successes, and failures of the leading men and societies of this groundbreaking time, and how they paved the way for the official spark of the Protestant Reformation.

Recommended resources:

Penguin Books Renaissance Reader

The Renaissance (Turning Points in World History), edited by Stephen P. Thompson

In this special episode, Chris describes the extraordinary and courageous lives of the "pre-reformers" John Wycliffe and Jan Huss. He notes the main parallels between their day and our own, and how believers can learn from their superb examples of faithfulness, holiness, courage, and leadership in the face of societies and organizations that hated them. Specifically, he points out how believers should imitate their examples of devotion to Scripture, boldness in teaching, diligence in leading, and wisdom in dealing with government authority.

Main sources used in this episode:

Faith of Our Fathers: Scenes from Church History, from "Wycliffe and Huss: Forerunners of the Reformation" by Craig Jennings

History of the Christian Church by George Park Fisher

Chris and Casey provide an overview of the famous crusades of the middle ages. They start with the background of the condition of Europe and the Islamic empires in the early 1000s, discuss the causes of the first crusades, highlight the more significant events of the several different crusades, and describe the conclusion of the last crusade in the 1300s. Finally, they note the immediate and long-term consequences of the crusades, as well as offer relevant lessons that believers and unbelievers alike can learn from them. The next collaborative episode will focus on the renaissance.

Recommended resources:

The Concise History of the Crusades by Thomas Madden

Fighting for Christendom by Christopher Tyerman

Podcast episodes on the crusades by The King's Hall Podcast

The crusade episode by History Extra Podcast

Chris and Casey discuss the origins, offensives, and outcomes of the Islamic empires of the early middle ages. Beginning with the establishment of Islam by Mohammed, they trace the major events, institutions, and interactions of the Muslims from the early 600s AD, and all the way to the first crusade in 1096. They highlight how the Lord was working through this religion and its adherents to further His glory, to transform the Europeans who claimed to worship the Lord Jesus, and to put Himself on display through His faithful followers who lived under Muslim rule. Finally, they note how believers today can learn from the zeal of the Muslims, and from the apathy of the professing Christians in this time period.

Recommended resources:

Chris and Casey discuss the roots, stages, and aftermath of the slow disintegration of the Roman Empire. How did arguably the most powerful and long-lasting empire in history collapse into a multitude of weak and conquered kingdoms? And this when it was ostensibly the only empire worshiping the Lord Jesus? Your ambassadors for the King discuss all this, as well as what we can learn from it about our own western societies, and even our personal lives.

Recommended resources:

The Fall of Rome Podcast

The History of the Christian Church Podcast

Chris and Casey discuss the adult life, ascendancy, and reign of Constantine in the early 300s over what once was the Roman Empire. They highlight the truth about his conversion, practice of Christianity, and imperial policies. Lastly, they note the benefits of his reign, its corrupting influences on professing Christians and Christianity, and we can learn about our Christian views and treatment of government, society-wide religion and morality, and our own practice of the Way of Jesus.

Recommended resources:

Church History by Eusebius

The biography of Constantine by Lactantius

The Reformers and Their Stepchildren by Leonard Verduin

The Pastor: Does He Exist? by David H. J. Gay

Chris and Casey discuss the first main period of Christian persecution in history. Beginning with the Jerusalem saints and the martyrdom of Stephen, they survey the main persecutions and well-known martyrdoms of early Christianity. They note the reasons, methods, and results of the persecution of these believers. Among the notable figures discussed are some apostles, Polycarp, and the most notorious Roman emperors who enforced state-sponsored persecution on Christians. As well as the good results that came, they highlight the misuses and abuses of persecution and martyrdom by the early worshipers of Jesus.

Recommended Resources:

The Acts of the Apostles

The Church History of Eusebius

The Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Journal of Perpetua

the histories of Tacitus

the letter of Pliny the Younger to the emperor

Foxe's Book of Martyrs