Kids Talk Church History

Kids Talk Church History is a one-of-a-kind podcast where kids investigate the history of the Church. Over two thousand years ago, Jesus said: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” How has Jesus built and preserved His Church against all odds? Come with us on a trip through history to find the answer on Kids Talk Church History—a podcast in partnership with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.

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Episodes

The Reformation in Italy

Monday Mar 11, 2024

Monday Mar 11, 2024

When we think of the Protestant Reformation, we usually think of countries like Germany, Switzerland, England, and the Netherlands. We rarely think of Italy. And yet, a Reformation started there too, but was quickly crushed by the Roman Catholic Church. What most people don't know is that teachings like justification by faith were not officially condemned by the Roman Catholic Church until 1547. And yet, many people who believed in that teaching in Italy were imprisoned or killed before then. Learn more about the intriguing story of the Italian Reformation as Lucy, Trinity, and Christian talk to Rev. Michael Brown, pastor of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in Milan, Italy.
One of the Italian Reformers mentioned in the podcast was Peter Martyr Vermigli. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to offer two copies of Simonetta Carr's book about Vermigli to our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy!
Show Notes:
Pastor Brown's ministry in Italy: https://www.reformationitaly.org/

John Calvin

Monday Feb 26, 2024

Monday Feb 26, 2024

Who was John Calvin, and why was he important in church history? Was he a killjoy, as some people say (and some portraits make him look)? What does the word predestination mean, and why is it good news? Find out all these things and more with our hosts, Trinity, Christian, and Linus, as they interview their knowledgeable and enthusiastic guest, Dr. Herman Selderhuis. As a bonus, learn how to say "good-bye" in Dutch!
Thanks to our generous friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we have a couple giveaway copies of Simonetta Carr’s book about John Calvin. To enter to win, click here.  
 
Show Notes:
Books by and about John Calvin:
John Calvin by Simonetta Carr: https://reformedresources.org/john-calvin-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/
Letters of John Calvin: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-john-calvin/

Monday Feb 12, 2024

When we talk about the Protestant Reformation, most people remember Martin Luther and John Calvin. However, a third man had a significant influence at the start of the Reformation: Ulrich Zwingli. Join Trinity, Christian, and Linus as they travel back to Reformation Switzerland with their guest, Rev. William Boekestein, to discover who Zwingli really was. Also, find out why having a sausage-fest on March 9 might be a good idea!
Thanks to our generous friends at Christian Focus Publications, we have a couple copies of William Boekestein's book, Ulrich Zwingli: Shepherd Warrior to give away. To enter the drawing, click here. 
 
Show Notes:
Books by Reverend Boekestein:
Ulrich Zwingli: Shepherd Warrior: https://www.christianfocus.com/products/1832/ulrich-zwingli
The Best Day of the Week: Why We Love the Lord's Day: https://reformedresources.org/the-best-day-of-the-week-why-we-love-the-lords-day-hardcover/
https://heritagebooks.org/brands/Boekestein%2C-William.html

Monday Jan 29, 2024

In today's podcast, Emma, Lucas, and Sophia begin their journey through the exciting time of the Protestant Reformation by discussing the life and teachings of Martin Luther with Professor Phillip Cary, author of the audio course Martin Luther, Gospel, Law, and Reformation. Was Luther really the spark for the Reformation? What made him stand out from earlier Reformers? Find out this and more on Kids Talk Church History.
Thanks to our generous friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we were given a couple copies of Simonetta Carr's book about Martin Luther for a drawing. Congratulations to Stephane S. from Lewistown, PA and Judah H. from Tazewell, VA! 
 
Show Notes:
Episode #11 - Augustine of Hippo: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/augustine-of-hippo-do-we-need-grace/

Monday Jan 15, 2024

For the first time, the hosts of Kids Talk Church History are joined by two listeners, Priscilla and Hosea, for a fun, lively discussion of favorite episodes, characters, and guests from their survey of the Middle Ages. Learn what encouraged them and what surprised them. And stay tuned for future opportunities to join our podcast!

Monday Jan 01, 2024

Around the time that John Wycliffe and Jan Hus shook the Western church by challenging its authority and traditions, a lesser-known monk did something similar in Ethiopia. He was known as Abba Estifanos (in English, Father Stephen). How similar were his protests to the ones made by European Reformers? Why does the Ethiopian Church claim to have the true Ark of the Covenant? Join Trinity, Lucas, and Linus as they explore these questions and learn more about Estifanos's story and how he was persecuted.
 
Show Notes:
Eric Clausen’s Podcast: https://faithfulforebearers.com/
Episode 3 of Kids Talk Church History: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-first-christian-nations/

Monday Dec 18, 2023

We often hear of medieval men like John Wyclif and Jan Hus as forerunners of the Reformation. That means they had many of the same questions and ideas as those who started and carried out the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. These men saw some serious problems in the church and wanted to fix them, but were they really forerunners, or Reformers in their own rights? And were they the only ones? What happened to them and to their followers? How were the Bible and the Psalter used in those days? Explore these and many other topics with Trinity, Lucas, and Linus as they bring their questions to Dr. Audrey Southgate, lecturer in Medieval English at Lincoln College, Oxford, and teacher at Emmanuel Christian School.
 
Show Notes:
Book recommended by Audrey Southgate:
Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History 
 
 

Christmas Hymns

Monday Dec 04, 2023

Monday Dec 04, 2023

Did you know many of our Christmas hymns were written in the Middle Ages or earlier? Join Emma, Christian, and Grace as they discuss these ancient hymns with Rev. Jonathan Landry Cruse, pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rev. Cruse has authored many books, including one that’s coming out next fall, Sing in Exaltation, about Christmas hymns of the past. Don't miss hearing Emma's beautiful rendition of the hymn, "Of the Father's Love Begotten," and enjoy our hosts' fun guessing game. Try it with your families and see how you do! 
We are grateful to our friends at Christian Focus Publications for donating a couple copies of the beautiful book by Heather Lefebvre, The History of Christmas: 2,000 Years of Faith, Fable, and Festivity, for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Monica K. from Odessa, MO, and Bridget B. from Powhatan, VA!
Show Notes:
"Of the Father's Love Begotten" in Latin:
Corde natus ex Paréntisante mundi exórdiumAlpha et Omega vocátus, ipse fons et cláusula ómnium quae sunt, fuérunt, quaeque post futúra sunt. Saeculorum saeculis.
Here is a link to the beautiful Christmas song "In the Manger" -- text by Jonathan Landry Cruse, music by Josh Bauder: https://youtu.be/7U7M_oCnaYE?si=aZVcGXcWWCUkGlgB
To check out the books Jonathan has written: https://reformedresources.org/authors/jonathan-cruse/

Hildegard and Mystics

Monday Nov 20, 2023

Monday Nov 20, 2023

Inspired by her interest in Hildegard's unique music that has been virtually forgotten for centuries, our host Emma and her co-hosts Christian and Grace explore medieval mystics, with a particular emphasis on Hildegard and Bernard. Tune in as they bring their many questions to our guest, Dr. Ben Wheaton, a Ph.D. graduate from the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto and author of many books on the Middle Ages. Discover why Hildegard was called a mystic, who the mystics were, and what we can learn from them.
 
Show Notes:
Dr. Wheaton had some great book recommendations for our listeners. If you’re interested in reading a primary source which is more challenging but rich, check out A History of the Franks by Gregory of Tours: https://a.co/d/6JMz0lV
Some other books of historical fiction based in the middle ages which Dr. Wheaton enjoyed very much:
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman: https://a.co/d/6q0ZXbs
The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli: https://a.co/d/jcmlwS7
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: https://a.co/d/h1Tokp3

Monday Nov 06, 2023

Anselm of Canterbury is one of the most celebrated medieval thinkers. He is especially famous for the questions he asked and answered. Join our hosts, Lucy, Sophia, and Grace, as they bring their own questions to Dr. Samu Niskanen, professor of Medieval History at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and learn more about this fascinating person—his struggles with a king and his loving and gentle personality. (And learn what Hei Hei means in Finnish.)
We are grateful to Reformation Heritage Books for providing two copies of Simonetta Carr's book on Anselm of Canterbury for a giveaway for our listeners. Congratulations to Kate R. from Bronx, NY, Maria S. from Greer, SC, and Stephanie S. from Monrovia, CA, our giveaway winners!
Show Notes:
How do you say “Why the God-man?” in Finnish? Miksi Jumala mies
Dr. Niskanen said that J.R.R. Tolkien's well known trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, inspired his interest in medieval history! 
He also said his favorite Finnish food is karjalanpiirakka, or Karelian pie, which sounds delicious! Maybe you could try to make one with your mom or dad!  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karelian_pasty

Monday Oct 23, 2023

Why would a Christian pray to a dog? And why would a pope be taken out of his grave and brought to trial? In previous episodes about the Middle Ages, we discovered inspiring people who loved the Lord and the gospel, and we learned that it was a time of missions and important studies. So we don’t want to say, “The Middle Ages were all bad and the Reformation all good.” But, there were many problems that can be traced to biblical ignorance. 
Join our hosts, Lucy, Sophia, and Grace, as they explore some of these problems and their solutions with Dr. Leonardo de Chirico, pastor of the Church Breccia di Roma in Rome, Italy, and lecturer in historical theology at the institute IFED in Padova, Italy. (And you may learn an Italian word or two.)
Show Notes:
Dr. de Chirico recommended novels by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien which were written in modern times but are shaped around medieval imaginations, such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. 
He also recommended The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis: https://www.amazon.com/Imitation-Christ-Thomas-%C3%A0-Kempis/dp/1514694085
To learn more about the Franciscan monk Bonaventure who Dr. de Chirico would like to meet: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Bonaventure

Monday Oct 09, 2023

What would happen if kings and rulers claimed authority over popes, and popes claimed authority over kings and rulers? Well, it did happen, and it was quite a mess! Join our hosts, Lucy, Sophia, and Grace, as they explore this tumultuous time in the Middle Ages with Mike Corradi, host of the popular History of Italy podcast. (And learn an Italian word you may or may not already know.)
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to offer two copies of Simonetta Carr's book on Anselm of Canterbury to our listeners . Enter here for an opportunity to win.
Show Notes:
Mike's Podcast: https://ahistoryofitaly.com/
More information about Matilda being buried at St. Paul's Basilica: http://stpetersbasilica.info/Monuments/MatildaofCanossa/MatildaofCanossa.htm
Here are two podcasts recommended by our guest, Mike Corradi:
Pontifacts: https://pontifacts.podbean.com/
History of the Papacy: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/learnoutloud/id590968693

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Church History by Simonetta Carr

If you like the podcast, you won't want to miss this fascinating guide that shows young readers (and even not-so-young readers) how God has preserved His church from AD 30 to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Travel through time and all over the world as you meet the people, learn about the ideas, and understand the challenges that have shaped the history of the church. Maps, timelines, and colorful pictures on every page show you the important people, places, and events of church history.

On sale at ReformedResources.org

"What a fabulous podcast! I listened to Kids Talk Church History with my two oldest children this morning. They enjoyed it immensely, and it opened up a good dialogue." —Megan DeVore

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The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is a coalition of believers who hold to the historic creeds and confessions of the Reformed faith and proclaim biblical doctrine in order to foster a Reformed awakening in today’s Church.

 

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