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When a Roman freedman claimed that angels showed him the Church as an unfinished tower, where cracked stones are cast out, and only one repentance is allowed after baptism, early Christians listened. The Shepherd of Hermas was so influential that some considered it Scripture; yet, its ambiguous teachings about Christ ultimately kept it from being included in the canon. In this episode, explore the visions, mandates, and parables that shaped the early Church's understanding of holiness, and discover why this forgotten masterpiece still asks the question every believer must answer: Will you be found fit for the building?
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Head over to our private Facebook community, where listeners discuss episodes, grapple with historical questions, and share insights on how these ancient stories shape our faith today. It's a place for genuine conversation with fellow church history enthusiasts, from seasoned scholars to curious newcomers.
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Subscribe to the free Substack and receive each podcast episode delivered directly to your email every week, complete with full transcripts. During off-weeks, you'll also receive a devotional blog post exploring spiritual themes connected to recent episodes—perfect for personal reflection or small group discussion.
Buy Me a Coffee
Want to support the podcast with a one-time gift or ongoing contribution? Head to Buy Me a Coffee, where you can encourage this work in whatever way makes sense for you. Every contribution helps cover production costs and makes future episodes possible. For any other questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact Jared at [email protected].
By Jared Luttjeboer5
3535 ratings
When a Roman freedman claimed that angels showed him the Church as an unfinished tower, where cracked stones are cast out, and only one repentance is allowed after baptism, early Christians listened. The Shepherd of Hermas was so influential that some considered it Scripture; yet, its ambiguous teachings about Christ ultimately kept it from being included in the canon. In this episode, explore the visions, mandates, and parables that shaped the early Church's understanding of holiness, and discover why this forgotten masterpiece still asks the question every believer must answer: Will you be found fit for the building?
Join the Conversation
Head over to our private Facebook community, where listeners discuss episodes, grapple with historical questions, and share insights on how these ancient stories shape our faith today. It's a place for genuine conversation with fellow church history enthusiasts, from seasoned scholars to curious newcomers.
Get Episodes & More in Your Inbox
Subscribe to the free Substack and receive each podcast episode delivered directly to your email every week, complete with full transcripts. During off-weeks, you'll also receive a devotional blog post exploring spiritual themes connected to recent episodes—perfect for personal reflection or small group discussion.
Buy Me a Coffee
Want to support the podcast with a one-time gift or ongoing contribution? Head to Buy Me a Coffee, where you can encourage this work in whatever way makes sense for you. Every contribution helps cover production costs and makes future episodes possible. For any other questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact Jared at [email protected].

153,862 Listeners