Voices of Renewal

On this special episode of Voices of Renewal, we look at the modern-day renewal happening in the Catholic Charismatic community. Joining us is Monsignor Joseph Malagreca, pastor of the parish of the Holy Cross in Brooklyn, NY. Besides being a pastor, he is the Coordinator of the Charismatic Renewal for the Hispanics and the Haitians in the Diocese of Brooklyn. He is also serving as the Coordinator of the CHARIS National Service of Communion for the USA. CHARIS-USA is the body that seeks to network all the charismatic expressions in the Church in the U.S.

P. T. Forsyth (1848–1921) was a Scottish theologian in the late 19th and early 20th century. He is primarily known today as an early opponent of liberal Christianity and a forerunner to the neo-orthodoxy movement. In his preaching, Forsyth consistently pointed people toward Christ as the fullest expression of God. Her more about Forsyth’s life and legacy from Dr. TK Dunn, Professor of History and Theology at Columbia International University.  

Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) is a Church father and Doctor of the Church who fought for Christological orthodoxy in the fifth century. He was a central figure at the Council of Ephesus and helped combat heresy through his writings. Cyril was a prolific author and consummate pastor, leading the Church in Alexandria as archbishop for 32 years. To hear more about Cyril’s life and legacy, listen to Dr. Donald Fairbairn, Robert E. Cooley Professor of Early Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. 

Walter Maier (1893-1950) was an American radio personality, prolific author, university professor, and Old Testament scholar. He is best known for his work on the radio show Lutheran Hour in the 30s and 40s. To learn more about Maier’s life and renewal legacy, hear from Dr. Kirk Farney, Vice President for Advancement, Vocation, and Alumni Engagement at Wheaton College. Dr. Farney is also the author of Ministers of a New Medium: Broadcasting Theology in the Radio Ministries of Fulton J. Sheen and Walter A. Maier (IVP Academi, 2022).

Justin Martyr (100-165) was one of the first apologists for the Christian faith. Justin's most famous work, the First Apology, passionately defended the philosophical cohesiveness and reasonableness of the Christian faith to a Roman ruler set on persecuting the Church. This defense ultimately cost him his life. Hear more about Justin's life and legacy from Dr. Bryan Litfin, Professor of Bible at Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity. 

Women have been central to the work of Christian ministry from the time of Jesus to the twenty-first century. Yet the story of Christianity is too often told as a story of men. In this episode of Voices of Renewal, hear from co-authors Leanne Dzubinski (acting dean and Associate Professor in the Cook School of Intercultural Studies) and Anneke Stasson (Associate Professor of Humanities and History in the John Wesley Honors College at Indiana Wesleyan University) on their new book Women in the Mission of the Church. This accessibly written book tells the story of women throughout church history, demonstrating their integral participation in the church's mission. 

Tertullian (155-220 AD) was a prolific early Christian author from the north African providence of Carthage. He is widely considered the father of Latin Christianity and was the first writer to use the term trinity to describe God. Although controversial in many branches of Christianity, Tertullian continues to be widely read today. In this episode of Voices of Renewal, learn about Tertullian from Dr. David Eastman, the Joseph Glenn Sherrill Chair of Bible at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and author of Early North African Christianity: Turning Points in the Development of the Church (Baker, 2021).

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) is widely considered the most influencial theologian and Christian thinker in the Western Church. His major writings – The City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and Confessions – are still widely read. He offered major contributions to the doctrines of predestination, original sin, the trinity, and ecclesiology. However, he was also a renowned teacher and mentor to the next generation of ministry leaders. To learn more about the life and renewal legacy of St. Augustine, hear from Dr. Ed Smither, Dean of the College of Intercultural Studies and Professor of Intercultural Studies and History of Global Christianity at Columbia International University. 

Lesslie Newbigin (1909 – 1998) was a British theologian, missiologist, missionary, and author. Though originally ordained within the Church of Scotland, Newbigin spent much of his career serving as a missionary in India and became affiliated with the Church of South India and the United Reformed Church, becoming one of the Church of South India's first bishops. Throughout his life, Newbigin shared a renewed vision of God’s mission brought by the power of the gospel. To learn more about his life and legacy, hear from Dr. Michael Goheen, Professor of Missional Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary and director of Theological Education at the Missional Training Center in Phoenix, AZ. 

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582), also called St. Teresa of Jesus, was a Spanish noblewoman, Carmelite nun, and religious mystic. She is also one of only four women to be recognized as a “Doctor of the Church” by the Catholic Church. During her life, Teresa helped bring renewal to the Carmelite order for men and women. Eventually, this reform led to the formation of what is known today as Discalced Carmelites. To learn more about the life and renewal ministry of one of the Church’s greatest teachers, hear from Ft. Mark O’Keefe, Benedictine monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Professor of Moral Theology at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.