Voices of Renewal

George Jeffreys (1889-1962) was a Welsh evangelist who founded the Elim Pentecostal Church. George became a Christian during the famous Welsh Revival (1904-1905) and continued Pentecostal ministry – marked by miraculous healings, baptism in the Holy Spirit, and other acts of God – for six decades. His mantle continued well after his death through the international ministry of Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke and his successor, Daniel Kolenda. Tune into this week’s episode of Voices of Renewal to learn more about the life of George Jeffreys from Dr. William Kay, Director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the University of Bangor.  

Origen of Alexandria (185-253) was an early Christian scholar, ascetic, and theologian who has been described as “the greatest genius the early church ever produced”. His work On the First Principles was one of the first works of systematic theology ever produced and became the foundation for theological writings for generations. Although viewed as controversial in later centuries, Origen’s work remains important for any thoughtful Christian. Hear more about Origen’s life and renewal ministry in the theological rich episode of Voices of Renewal, featuring Dr. George Kalantzis. Professor of Theology at Wheaton College and Director of the Center for Early Christian Studies.

Athanasius of Alexandria was a Christian theologian, Church Father, the chief defender of Trinitarianism against Arianism, and a noted Coptic Christian (Egyptian) leader of the fourth century. Athanasius was a deacon during the Council of Nicaea and his writings were well regarded by subsequent Church fathers in the West and the East, who noted his devotion to orthodoxy, pastoral concern, and interest in monasticism. Hear more about his life and renewal legacy from Dr. Bryan Litfin, Head of Strategy and Advancement at Clapham School and former Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute for 16 years. 

In a first for Voices of Renewal, this episode focuses not on an individual Christian but on a collection of Early Christian Martyrs. How do the stories of Stephen, Justin, Perpetua, and Felicity strengthen the early Church? What does it mean to be a martyr or ‘witness’ for Jesus Christ? Hear about these important figures from Dr. Rex Butler, the John T. Westbrook Chair of Church History and Professor of Church History and Patristics at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Billy Graham was an American evangelist and the most well-known Christian figure of the 20th century. Graham ministered nationally and internationally through his “Crusades”, which were broadcasted through radio and television for nearly six decades. Due in large part to these Crusades, Billy Graham is credited as having preached in person to more people than anyone else in the history of Christianity. To learn more about Graham’s life and legacy, hear from Dr. Grant Wacker, the Gilbert T. Rowe Emeritus Professor of Christian History at Duke Divinity School. 

Oral Roberts was an American Charismatic Christian televangelist, ordained in both the Pentecostal Holiness and United Methodist churches. He is considered one of the forerunners for the charismatic movement and was one of the most recognized preachers in the US at the height of his recognition. He founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University. Hear more about Oral Robert's renewal legacy from Dr. Daniel Isgrigg, Assistant Professor and the Director of the Holy Spirit Research Center and Archives at Oral Roberts University.

George Whitefield was an Anglican cleric and evangelist who was one of the founders of Methodism and the evangelical movement. After ordination, Whitefield immediately began preaching, but he did not settle as the minister of any parish. Rather he became an itinerant preacher and evangelist in North America, where he preached a series of revivals that became part of the "Great Awakening". It is reported that Whitefield preached at least 18,000 times to perhaps 10 million listeners in Great Britain and her American colonies. To learn more about his life and renewal legacy, hear from Dr. Thomas Kidd, Distinguished Professor of History at Baylor University and soon to be Research Professor of Church History at Midwestern Seminary. 

Martin Luther was a German priest, author, and theologian and is widely recognized as the man responsible for the Protestant Reformation. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses in an effort to renew the Church of his day, which we continue to see and feel the effects of today. To hear more about Luther's life and ministry of renewal, check out this week's episode of Voices of Renewal with Dr. David Mayes, Associate Professor of History at Sam Houston State University.

Jacob Arminius was a Dutch theologian and reformer whose views became the basis of Arminianism. Although, much like John Calvin, his views themselves evolved after his death, Arminius is known today for his faithful ministry of renewal and his later impact on John Wesley and the Methodist movement. We welcome Dr. Keith Stanglin, Professor of Theology at Heritage Christian College and Executive Director for the Center of Christian Studies, to speak on Arminius on this week's episode of Voices of Renewal. 

C.S. (Clive Staples) Lewis is one of the 20th century’s most notable Christian thinkers and lay theologians. He held academic positions in the area of English literature at both Oxford University and Cambridge University. Today, he is most well-known for his novels, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy, and apologetic texts, such as Mere Christianity and Surprised by Joy. Hear more about Lewis’ life and renewal ministry from Dr. Joel Woodruff, President of the C.S. Lewis Institute, in this week’s episode of Voices of Renewal.