Kids Talk Church History

C.F.W. Walther and the Difference Between Law and Gospel

F. W. Walther is well known in Lutheran circles but less so in other churches. He is important for his insistence on the true gospel - the good news that Christ has done everything that's necessary for our salvation. He is also a good example of facing new challenges with humility and courage. Join Linus, Leia, and Christian as they discuss the importance of C. F. W. Walther with Dr. Larry Rast, president and professor of American Christianity and American Lutheranism at Concordia Theological Seminary in Indiana.

Robert Haldane and the Geneval Revival

We often hear of the 18th-century revivals in England and America, but we rarely hear that there was a major revival in Geneva, Switzerland – a revival that spread to many other countries of the world. Join Sean and Isaac as they discuss this important time in history with Jean Decorvet, President and professor of theological studies at Haute école de théologie protestante (HET-PRO).
We are pleased to offer a copy of Simonetta Carr's book about Marie Durand, written for young readers, to our listeners. Enter here to win!
 
Show Notes
Previous episode mentioned in this podcast that you might want to check out:
The Pietists: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-pietists/

Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers

In the 19th century, an English pastor named Charles Spurgeon earned the nickname of “Prince of Preachers.” Thousands of people traveled to London to hear him preach. But it was not just because he had a way with words. He really was able to communicate the gospel like few others, and he truly cared for others. Learn more about Spurgeon and his interesting life, as Sean and Isaac chat with Dr. Geoff Chang, Assistant Professor of Church History and Historical Theology and Curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Thanks to the generosity of Reformed Fellowship, we are pleased to offer a copy of Simonetta Carr's book about Charles Spurgeon, written for young readers. Enter here to win!
 
Show Notes:
Simonetta Carr's book about Charles Spurgeon: https://reformedfellowship.net/collections/all-books/products/charles-haddon-spurgeon
5-volume "Modern Defenders of the Faith" discount set (including Spurgeon): https://reformedfellowship.net/collections/all-books/products/modern-defenders-of-the-faith-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-discount-set-copy
23-volume discount set of all currently available titles in this series: http://reformedfellowship.net/collections/all-books/products/christian-biographies-for-young-readers-discount-set

Special Episode: John Calvin's Institutes Comic Book

We are breaking off from our journey through the 19th century to talk about an interesting book that was recently published by P&R – an illustrated version of John Calvin's Institutes, geared toward young readers. You may remember John Calvin from an earlier episode. Join Linus, Leia, and Sean as they chat with Martin and Joy Williams about turning Calvin's important work into a comic book kids can understand.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at P&R Publishing, we are pleased to offer two copies of Martin and Joy Williams’ book, John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes: Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves. Enter here to win.
 
Show Notes
Previous Kids Talk Church History podcast about John Calvin: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/john-calvin/

B. B. Warfield and the Princeton Theologians

As more and more authors began challenging the Bible and its teachings, Christians needed to respond with honesty and clarity. Some Christian writers rose to the task, leaving an example for others to follow. One of these was B.B. Warfield, a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. And his life is very interesting, as you will see! Join Linus, Grace, and Sean as they discover more about Warfield and his answers to these challenges, with the help of Dr. Kim Riddlebarger, pastor emeritus of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California.
Thanks to the generosity of Reformed Fellowship, we are pleased to offer a copy of Simonetta Carr’s Biography for Young Readers about B.B. Warfield. Enter here to win.

Herman Bavinck: Facing Modern Challenges

During Herman Bavinck's life and for many years afterward, he was well known mainly in the Netherlands, where he was born. But today, people around the world are discovering his writings and realizing their importance. Why is that? In part, it's because Bavinck faced new challenges with honesty and humility, without compromising his Christian beliefs. Today, as we face many new challenges, we can learn a lot from Bavinck. Join Linus, Leia, and Sean as they share their excitement about this great theologian with Dr. John Bolt, professor emeritus of Systematic Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Thanks to the generosity of Reformed Fellowship, we are pleased to offer two copies of Herman Bavinck by Simonetta Carr. Enter here to win.
 
Show Notes:
Dr. Bolt had some additional notes about Bavinck to share with our listeners:
Bavinck frequently spoke of the gospel as a "pearl of great price" (or treasure) and as a "leaven." The gospel is the most important thing in the world; it brings us into fellowship with God in Christ. But, secondarily, it is also a leaven because it changes individuals and societies.
Bavinck also frequently quotes James 1:21: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights in whom there is no changing."  

Thomas Chalmers and the Fight Against Poverty

The Industrial Revolution brought much progress but created greater poverty and harsh living conditions for the workers, and the church could not look away. A man who led the church in a program of relief for the poor was the Scottish pastor Thomas Chalmers. Find out how he was able to do this as Linus, Grace, and Sean talk with Sandy Finlayson, author of Chief Scottish Man: The Life and Ministry of Thomas Chalmers.
Thanks to the generosity of Evangelical Press, we were pleased to award two copies of Chief Scottish Man: The Life and Ministry of Thomas Chalmers by Sandy Finlayson to two of our listeners: Erin O. from Midlothian, VA and Lynn F. from Ramona, CA. 

Christianity on Trial

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the teachings of three men changed the way many people thought about life and the world. These teachings still have a huge influence today. Who were these men, and what do these teachings mean for us? Join us as Grace, Sean, and Isaac explore the answers to these questions with Dr. Michael Lee, professor of Early American History and chair of the History Department at Eastern University.

Religious Persecution in Italy

Did you know that as late as 1850, people in Italy could still be arrested for owning a Bible and imprisoned for giving Bibles to others? This is what happened to a Florentine couple who were arrested for owning two copies of the Bible, and were imprisoned under suspicion that they were reading it or distributing it to others. And this was not an isolated story. The Roman Catholic Church could even kidnap children from Jewish or Protestant families! How did Protestants survive this difficult time, and when did it end? Find out answers to all this and more as Grace, Sean, and Isaac talk with Dr. Mario Cignoni, General Secretary of the Bible Society in Italy and author of many books.
 
Show notes
Articles written by Simonetta Carr about this time period:
https://placefortruth.org/francesco-and-rosa-madiai/
https://placefortruth.org/bible-italy-council-trent-italian-republic/

The Roman Catholic Church in the 19th Century

Have you ever heard Roman Catholics say that the pope is infallible? It sounds like something they always believed, but in reality, this became their official teaching only in 1870! What did they believe before then, and why did they add this to their list of teachings? And why did the Roman Catholic Church oppose Bible societies? Explore these questions and more with Grace, Sean, and Isaac as they talk with Dr. Leonardo De Chirico, pastor of the church Breccia di Roma, in Rome, Italy, and Vice Chairman of the Italian Evangelical Alliance.
 
Show Notes
https://www.brecciadiroma.it/

18th Century Wrap-Up

Our young hosts have just finished their exploration of church history in the 18th century and have a lot to say about their discoveries and lessons learned. Like other wrap-up episodes, it is great fun for everyone involved! It's also an occasion to welcome our new host, Isaac, and to say goodbye to three pillars of the podcast: Emma, Trinity, and Sophia, who have just turned 18 or will turn 18 soon. Feel free to send a note to these lovely young ladies, and we'll be sure to pass it along! 

Isaac Watts and Christmas Hymns

It's almost Christmas, and the song "Joy to the World" is playing everywhere! But did you know that its author, Isaac Watts, never meant it as a Christmas song? And did you know that he faced some opposition when he proposed that Christians can sing more than just the biblical Psalms? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Grace, Isaac, and Sean talk with our expert, Rev. Jonathan Landry Cruse, pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, MI, and author of many books.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at 10ofThose Publishing, we are pleased to award one of our listeners a copy of Jonathan Cruse's book, Sing in Exultation: A Christmas Devotional Exploring Our Favorite Carols. Enter here to win. Congratulations to Cherith N. from Greenville, SC!
Show Notes:
Several past episodes of Kids Talk Church History were mentioned today. Check out our website to listen to some of them: https://alliancenet.org/broadcasts/ktch/
More Jonathan Cruse books: https://reformedresources.org/authors/jonathan-cruse/