Kids Talk Church History

Lemuel Haynes

When we think about the 18th-century church, we think of famous preachers like John Wesley, George Whitefield, and Jonathan Edwards. Few people know there were also black pastors preaching the gospel. One of these, Lemuel Haynes, was probably the first African American
ordained by a mainstream Protestant Church in the United States. Join Sophia, Linus, and Sean as they ask Dr. John Saillant, author of Black Puritan, Black Republican: The Life and Thought of Lemuel Haynes, to tell us more about this important pastor who was well-respected as a preacher and author in his day.
 
Show Notes:
Episode #82 about William Carey and missions to India was mentioned several times during this episode. Listen here if you’re interested in hearing more:
https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/
 

Missions to India

Most of us have heard of William Carey. He’s often known as the Father of Modern Missions and is famous for his mission to India in the 18th century. But he was not the first protestant to go to India, and he didn’t go alone. So why is he known as the Father of Modern Missions? And why did so few Protestants go out as missionaries before him? Join Sophia, Linus, and Sean as they discuss the history of early missions to India with Dr. Michael Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality and Director of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
 
Show Notes:
Our episode about the Moravians was mentioned several times during this episode and you might want to check it out if you haven’t already listened.
https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-moravians/
 

The Marrow Men

Can a simple question and a forgotten book change the direction of a national church? It's hard to imagine, but it's exactly what happened in 18th-century Scotland. Join Emma, Grace, and Sean as they ask Dr. Stephen Myers, professor of systematic and historical theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, to shed light on these men, the events they participated in, and what they mean for us today.
 
Show Notes:
Simonetta Carr's latest book is all about Thomas Boston, one of the Marrow Men. You can purchase a copy at Reformed Resources:  
https://reformedresources.org/thomas-boston-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/

The Enlightenment

We often hear about the Enlightenment. Some ideas were born during this period of time, and others were called into question. But what actually was the Enlightenment, and how much does it influence the way we think today? What influence, if any, did it have on the church? Join Emma, Grace, and Sean as they ask Dr. Michael Lee, professor of Early American History and chair of the History Department at Eastern University, to tell us more about this important time in history.
 
Show Notes:
Previous episodes of Kids Talk Church History referenced in this episode:
Episode 37 – Martin Luther
https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/martin-luther-and-the-recovery-of-the-gospel/
Episode 39 – John Calvin
https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/john-calvin/

Augustus Toplady and the English Revival

Most Christians are familiar with John and Charles Wesley, as well as George Whitefield, who were among the leading promoters of the English Revival. However, there is much more to discover about that period of church history. Listen as Trinity, Christian, and Mina talk to Rev. Lee Gatiss, director of the Church Society, about these and other remarkable people and significant discussions of this period in history.
 
Show Notes:
Church Society: https://www.churchsociety.org
Other episodes mentioned during the discussion of the English revival:
Episode 73 – The Moravians: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-moravians/
Episode 78 – Phillis Wheatley: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/
Episode 52 – The Canons of Dort: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-canons-of-dort/

Phillis Wheatley

How did a seven-year-old girl who was brutally taken from her family and sold as a slave grow up to become the first African American woman to have her poems published? Join Trinity, Mina, and Priscilla as they listen to Professor Vincent Carretta, author of Phillis Wheatley: Biography of a Genius in Bondage, recount the fascinating story of this intriguing poet. Learn how her poems helped to change some of the mistaken opinions many people in Europe and the American colonies held about Africans.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to award a copy of Simonetta Carr's biography of Phillis Wheatley to two of our listeners. Congratulations to Mari L. from Post Falls, ID and Jim Paul D. from Jackson, MI!

William Cowper

While William Cowper is widely regarded as one of the greatest evangelical poets of the 18th century, he was, in fact, one of the greatest of all the 18th-century poets. His poems reflect a profound faith in God and God's providence and presence in every aspect of life. Many became hymns and are still sung today. Join Grace, Sean, and Emma as they discuss Cowper's life, faith, and works with Dr. Andrew Newell, Junior Research Fellow (J.R.F.) in Literature & Theology at Wycliffe Hall and the English Faculty at the University of Oxford.  
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to award a copy of Simonetta Carr's biography of John Newton, which references William Cowper, to one of our young listeners. Congratulations Darren R. from Owensboro, KY!
Show Notes
Andrew Newell’s favorite hymn: https://hymnary.org/text/jesus_whereer_thy_people_meet
 
William Cowper’s poem about the rabbits: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50599/epitaph-on-a-hare
 
William Cowper’s poem about the death of his mother: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44031/on-receipt-of-my-mothers-picture
The Task (book referenced by Andrew Newell as his favorite of William Cowper’s writings): https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3698/3698-h/3698-h.htm
 

John Newton

Most people are familiar with the hymn "Amazing Grace." According to statistics, it is performed approximately 10 million times worldwide every year. And that's just public performances. It doesn't count all the times when it's sung in churches. However, not everyone is familiar with the author of this hymn, John Newton, and his role in helping to abolish the slave trade while faithfully preaching the gospel. Join Grace, Sean, and Priscilla as they discover more about this great pastor and hymn-writer with Rev. Jonathan Aitken, a priest in the Church of England and author of the biography John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to award a copy of Simonetta Carr's biography about John Newton to one of our young listeners. Congratulations Lacey L. from Tunas, MO!
 
Show Notes
Jonathan Aitken’s book about John Newton:
https://www.crossway.org/books/john-newton-tpb/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2PE361YLSqCvoHZ0mX2pBxBonxnQkicsZIkDDXuCS3ezGIt6e
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis: 
Áitken's favorite hymn: https://hymnary.org/text/glorious_things_of_thee_are_spoken

Marie Durand and the Huguenots

At a time when Protestants were fiercely persecuted in France, a young woman named Marie Durand was imprisoned for her faith and remained in prison under terrible conditions for 38 years. Her letters to pastors and influential people were instrumental in closing the prison, and her letters to her niece express the faith that helped Marie stay true to Christ. Join Sophia, Emma, and Grace as they discuss Marie Durand and the Huguenots with their guest, Rev. Campbell Markham, minister of Scots' Church in Fremantle, Western Australia, and author of an upcoming book on Marie Durand.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to award a copy of Simonetta Carr's biography about Marie Durand to one of our listeners, Pamela S. from Aliceville, AL!
 
Show Notes
Rev. Markham's website: https://campbellmarkham.substack.com/
Rev. Markham's research updates: https://substack.com/@campbellmarkham 
Rev. Markham's translation of Adolf Monod's book (mentioned in the episode):
https://www.amazon.com.au/Christian-Suffering-translation-classic-dAdolphe-ebook/dp/B0787XS8VT

Johann Sebastian Bach

Music has played an important role in church history. In previous episodes, we've talked about many composers who wrote hymns specifically for the church. However, there were also musicians like Bach who wrote sacred and secular music for the glory of God. Bach's compositions covered a wide range of emotions and were filled with theological insights. Join Sophia, Trinity, and Linus as they talk to Dr. Paul Grime, professor of Pastoral Ministry and Mission at Concordia Theological Seminary, about this important composer and his faith.
 
Show Notes:
Bach's pieces that were mentioned in the podcast:
Bach's Coffee Cantata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nifUBDgPhl4
The piece Bach wrote shortly before his death is Vor deinem Thron tret ich hiermit ("I hereby come before Your throne"). The catalog number is BW 668.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XTCZ1iUQeQ
The cantata movement with the plucking strings imitating the knocking at the door is Cantata 61 (BWV 61), based on the Advent hymn "Savior of the Nations, Come." The movement with the plucked strings begins at the 9:32 mark. The whole cantata is a great example of the genre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzWJsRjanC4

The Moravians

Before the famous missionary William Carey was born, a group of Christian Moravians sent over 200 missionaries to 28 countries. Join Emma, Grace, and Priscilla as they ask Dr. Ed Smither, professor of Intercultural Studies and History of Global Christianity at Columbia International University and author of many books on church history and missions, to tell us all about the Moravians and their fascinating history.

Thomas Charles and the 18th Century Welsh Revival

Time-travel back with Trinity, Grace, and Sean to 18th-century Wales to learn about a series of revivals led by young people who wanted to bring people back to a true worship of God. Listen to Dr. E. Wyn James, professor emeritus in the School of Welsh at Cardiff University and author of several books, as he tells us many fun stories about the 18th-century Welsh Revival.
We’re also pleased to award one of our listeners a copy of Dr. James’ book, Flame in the Mountains, thanks to the generosity of Y Lolfa Publishers. Congratulations Richard P. from Madera, CA!
 
Show Notes:
Dr. E. Wyn’s James website on Ann Griffiths: https://www.anngriffiths.cardiff.ac.uk/ 
Dr. James’ book, Flame in the Mountains:
https://www.ylolfa.com/products/9781784614546/flame-in-the-mountains
 
In response to our listener questions, check out the following episodes:
Episode: 21: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/early-missions-to-china/
Episode 30: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-medieval-church-and-the-protestant-reformation/