Kids Talk Church History

Anne Bradstreet: The First Published Poetess on American Soil

When you think of early American writers, what comes to mind? Perhaps the writings or sermons of Puritans. Maybe you think of the Mayflower Compact. But did you know that Anne Bradstreet, an ordinary wife and mother of eight children in New England, was the first published poet on American soil? Join Emma, Grace, and Linus as they interview Dr. Francis Bremer, Professor Emeritus of Church History at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, about this interesting (and often surprising) Colonial woman.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr’s books to two listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway!
 
Show Notes:
Anne Bradstreet: Christian Biographies for Young Readers by Simonetta Carr:
https://reformedresources.org/anne-bradstreet-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/
 
Phillis Wheatley: Christian Biographies for Young Readers by SImonetta Carr:
https://reformedresources.org/phillis-wheatley/
 
Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 10th, 1666
BY ANNE BRADSTREET
 
In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I wakened was with thund’ring noise
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of “fire” and “fire,”
Let no man know is my Desire.
I, starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To straighten me in my Distress
And not to leave me succourless.
Then, coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
I blest His name that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.
It was his own, it was not mine,
Far be it that I should repine;
He might of all justly bereft
But yet sufficient for us left.
When by the ruins oft I past
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast
And here and there the places spy
Where oft I sate and long did lie.
Here stood that trunk, and there that chest,
There lay that store I counted best.
My pleasant things in ashes lie
And them behold no more shall I.
Under thy roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
No pleasant talk shall ‘ere be told
Nor things recounted done of old.
No Candle e'er shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom‘s voice e'er heard shall be.
In silence ever shalt thou lie,
Adieu, Adieu, all’s vanity.
Then straight I ‘gin my heart to chide,
And did thy wealth on earth abide?
Didst fix thy hope on mould'ring dust?
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast a house on high erect
Frameed by that mighty Architect,
With glory richly furnished,
Stands permanent though this be fled.
It‘s purchased and paid for too
By Him who hath enough to do.
A price so vast as is unknown,
Yet by His gift is made thine own;
There‘s wealth enough, I need no more,
Farewell, my pelf, farewell, my store.
The world no longer let me love,
My hope and treasure lies above.

The Westminster Standards

Some time ago, we discussed Guido de Bres and the doctrinal statements known as the Three Forms of Unity used by Reformed churches. However, there is another set of documents used by Presbyterian churches everywhere, known as The Westminster Standards, which includes The Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. These documents were written in the seventeenth century by a group of English and Scottish pastors who met for ten years during one of the most challenging times in British history. But how could a meeting last ten years? How did these pastors live, and how did their families live without them during a time of war? Join Emma, Trinity, and Sean as they pose these questions and others to Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn, a leading authority on this subject.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr’s books to two listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway!
 
Show Notes:
https://www.alliancenet.org/giving-tuesday
The Westminster Larger Catechism (paperback)
https://reformedresources.org/the-westminster-larger-catechism-paperback/
The Westminster Larger Catechism (booklet)
https://reformedresources.org/the-westminster-larger-catechism-booklet/
The Westminster Standards (includes the Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter catechisms: https://reformedresources.org/the-westminster-standards/

Primoz Trubar: Why Slovenia Celebrates Reformation Day

Every year on the 31st of October, an Eastern European country named Slovenia celebrates Reformation Day - the day Martin Luther posted his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. It’s a national holiday when people stay home from work and school. Particularly interesting is that less than 1% of Slovenians are Protestant! So why these celebrations? Tune in to Kids Talk Church History as Emma, Christian, and Ruth discuss this with Slovenian historian Todd Hunnicut and delve into the adventurous life of Primoz Trubar, the father of the Slovenian language.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr’s books to two listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway!
Show Notes:
Episode 46 about Cyril and Methodius: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/cyril-lucaris-a-controversial-reformer/
Trubar Forum: https://trubarforum.si/ (Be sure to click on the English setting, unless you read Slovenian!)
YouTube videos created by Todd Hunnicut and his teammates about Primoz Trubar:
https://youtu.be/aQnARBpsK7k?si=jSUKwt6oXk4wgaM7
https://youtu.be/_MJw39g3834?si=p6nynZojtFN8OclT 
Article by Simonetta Carr about Primoz Trubar: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/primo%C5%BE-trubar-%E2%80%93-protestant-reformer-who-fashioned-language
Other Resources from Todd Hunnicutt: 
A small booklet with three chapters summarizing the message of the first Slovene book, the Katekizem. It is designed as an evangelistic tool, but it also shows key ideas from the Katekizem. 
An English translation of the first printed Slovene song. Here is a link of my wife, myself and a friend singing it in Slovene. The tune is a German church song, but a completely different text. It’s a great summary of the Gospel message, mixing the biblical narrative of Genesis 3 and 4 with extra Gospel/Christ comments. Imagine this being the first ever printed song in the language, and the solid, simple Gospel message in it. https://youtu.be/zZ8LgodEFRk?si=IxFDPv1bJVdqKYxi
A section introduction and three chapters I wrote for the Slovene version of the missionary/Christian hero biographies book, Hero Tales. A family devotional with stories from Trubar’s life that might be the most appealing of these to kids.
The final section of the Katekizem, the “Sermon on Faith.” This is key because the phrase “Stand and Withstand” which is well-known, which is on the Slovene €1 coin, is here in its proper context. It’s on page 5 in the fourth paragraph. The part before that, where he defines true faith, I find to be very, very profound; I quote this in sermons in English and in Slovene often because it’s a gritty, realistic, biblical view of what faith is – basically holding on to God’s truth on the Word no matter what.

John Owen: The Prince of Puritans

The inscription on John Owen's grave says he is "a traveler on earth who grasped God like one in heaven." Later, he was called "the Prince of Puritans." How did he earn these high praises while navigating one of the most tumultuous times in British history, when hundreds of others were forced to leave the country? Why did they find six boxes of pistols in his house? And how was he instrumental in bringing John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress to print? Christian, Grace, and Hannah discuss these questions and others with Dr. Lee Gatiss, the director of Church Society, editor of the NIV Proclamation Bible, and a lecturer in Church History at Union School of Theology, on this episode of Kids Talk Church History.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr's books to two listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway!
Show Notes:
Simonetta Carr’s book about John Owen: https://reformedresources.org/john-owen-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/
Daily Readings – John Owen by Lee Gatiss: https://www.christianfocus.com/products/2980/daily-readings-john-owen
The New City Catechism: https://newcitycatechism.com/
The Complete Works of John Owen: https://www.crossway.org/articles/introducing-the-complete-works-of-john-owen/
Lee Gatiss’ favorite book by Owen: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/commentaries/hebrews-8/
In case you’d like to do some research of your own, the three people that Lee would like to meet from church history are James Usher, Edward Reynolds, and William Gurnall.

Quakers, Seekers, Ranters, Diggers

Quakers, Ranters, Seekers, Diggers...so many groups were formed after the Reformation. What were they saying, and why did most Christians warn against them? Did any of them leave a positive legacy? Listen as Trinity, Christian, Emma, and Ruth discuss these questions and more with Dr. Michael Haykin, professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality and director at The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. Stay tuned until the end for some surprising and exciting stories!
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr’s books to two listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway!

Thomas Goodwin and the Assurance of Salvation

When young Thomas Goodwin and his friends went out to have fun, they decided to go to a funeral. Whether they had nothing else to do or were planning to sneer, the sermon Goodwin heard changed his life forever. Join Trinity, Emma, and Christian as they interview Dr. Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California, who has written a thesis about Thomas Goodwin. Find out how Goodwin's sermons and writings affected the people of his time and how they continue to speak to us today by pointing us to Christ, not ourselves or our faith.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr’s books to two lucky listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway!
Show Notes:
Dr. Horton recommended the following books to our listeners:
Christ Set Forth by Thomas Goodwin: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/theology/christ-set-forth/
The Heart of Christ in Heaven towards Sinners on Earth by Thomas Goodwin: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-heart-of-christ/

The Canons of Dort

Have you ever heard of the Canons of Dort? In case you are wondering, they are not cannons fired by a commander named Dort. They are a set of explanations written in the 17th century to answer some protesters. But if you think that a meeting of pastors writing a list of explanations must be boring, be ready to be surprised as you listen to this episode as Trinity, Emma, Christian, and Sean talk to Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, former president of Westminster Seminary California.
If you're interested in finding out more about the Canons of Dort, we are pleased to offer two copies of William Boekestein's book, The Glory of Grace: The Story of the Canons of Dort to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books. Register here to win one!
 
Show Notes:
Recommended Reading: Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort by W. Robert Godfrey.

Reformation Wrap-up

In this episode of Kids Talk Church History, we wrap up our fourteen-episode look at the Reformation, a momentous time that changed the history of the Church. As they did for the early Church and the Middle Ages, most of our hosts get together in this episode to discuss what they have learned and discovered about the period known as the Reformation. And they are joined once again by one of our listeners who entered the “Be Our Guest” contest! Find out who their favorite characters are, what episodes they liked the best, and what they learned from the 16th-century Reformers. Listeners – stay tuned for future opportunities to join our podcast! 

Who Were the Puritans?

Who were the Puritans? Why were they called Puritans, and did they like this name? Did they always wear black? And what can we learn from them today? Join Sophia, Grace, and Linus as they discuss these and many other intriguing questions with their guest, Dr. David Hall, Bartlett Professor Emeritus of New England Church History at Harvard Divinity School and author of The Puritans, a Transatlantic History.
 
Show Notes:
Books by David Hall: https://reformedresources.org/browse/author/david-hall/
Painting referenced by Dr. Hall:https://www.1st-art-gallery.com/The-Freake-Limner/Mrs.-Elizabeth-Freake-And-Baby-Mary-1671-74.html
Here are some books about well-known Puritans by Simonetta Carr you might want to look into:
John Owen: https://reformedresources.org/john-owen-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/
 
John Bunyan https://reformedresources.org/john-bunyan-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/
 
Anne Bradstreet https://reformedresources.org/anne-bradstreet-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/
 
And here's an article about Grindal: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/edmund-grindal-and-his-letter-queen
 

Five Solas

Roman Catholics readily agree that God saves his people by grace, through faith, because of Christ. But is it grace alone, faith alone, and Christ alone? Join Emma, Grace, and Christian as they discover the importance of that little word in the Protestant Reformation and in our churches today with the help of Dr. Scott Clark, professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California.  
We are pleased to offer a copy of Simonetta Carr's award-winning book, Church History, to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books. Click here to enter. 
SDG
 
Show Notes:
To learn more about church history, Scott Clark recommends books by Simonetta Carr, and so do we! https://reformedresources.org/books/simonetta-carr/
Here I Stand, by Roland Herbert Bainton: https://a.co/d/8hw0yDp
Scott Clark’s Blog: https://heidelblog.net/

The Roman Catholic Response to the Reformation

The Protestant Reformation swept throughout Europe in a way no other movement had before. There was great energy as people rediscovered the gospel - the good news of what Christ has done for sinners. How did the Roman Catholic Church respond? Find out the answer to this question with Emma, Grace, and Christian as they interview Dr Matthew Barrett, author of The Reformation as Renewal.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, Franklin S. from West Chester, OH will receive a copy of Simonetta Carr's award-winning book, Church History!
Show Notes:
“Triumph of Religion Over Heresy” by Pierre Legros the Younger
“The Triumph of Faith Over Idolatry” by Jean-Baptiste Theodon
The Reformation as Renewal, by Matthew Barrett: https://zondervanacademic.com/reformation-as-renewal
The Nicene Creed: https://rts.edu/historical-creeds-of-faith/the-nicene-creed/
 

Guido de Bres and the Reformation in the Netherlands

On November 2, 1561, the gatekeeper at the castle of Tounay found a package which had been thrown over the wall. It included what is known as the Belgic Confession, plus a letter addressed to King Philip II of Spain, who ruled over much of the Netherlands. The author of the letter and the Confession was a pastor named Guido de Bres. What did he try to accomplish, and how was his package received? Join Sophia, Linus, and Emma as they interview Dr. Wes Bredenhof, Pastor of the Free Reformed Church, Launceston, Tasmania, to find these answers and more.
Congratulations to Kelvin M. from Lansing, IL and Kate R. from Bronx, NY, each of whom won a copy of Faithfulness Under Fire: The Story of Guido de Bres by William Boekestein! Thank you Reformation Heritage Books for your generosity.
 
Show Notes:
The Hypostatic Union by Shai Linne (music video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdGMXWSkR1A
Books by Simonetta Carr: https://reformedresources.org/books/simonetta-carr/
The Belgic Confession, written by Guido de Bres: https://heidelblog.net/belgic/
Dr. Brehenhof said that his favorite Australian dish is curried scallop pie, and it’s from Tasmania, the area where he lives which is the smallest state in Australia. Check it out online – it looks delicious!