Kids Talk Church History

Martin Luther and the Recovery of the Gospel

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/

Favorite Characters & Episodes from the Middle Ages

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!

Estifanos, the Ethiopian Reformer

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/

Wyclif, Hus, and Other Early Reformers

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

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

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

Anselm of Canterbury: Why the God-Man?

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

The Medieval Church and the Protestant Reformation

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

More Struggles Between Popes, Bishops, and Kings

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

The Crusades

Today, we use the word "crusade" to mean different things. Historically, it typically referred to armed ventures - especially to those that took place in the Middle East between the 11th and 13th centuries. But were they really limited to that time period? And how many crusades were there? The answers might surprise you. Join Emma, Mina, Grace, Christian and Lucas as they discuss this important subject and the fascinating answers provided by Alfred J. Andrea, Professor Emeritus of the University of Vermont, past president of The World History Association, and prolific author.
 
Show Notes:
It was not until the early twentieth century that historians settled on assigning fixed numbers to the first five “really big ones” to the eastern Mediterranean: the First (1096-1099), the Second (1147-49), the Third (1188-92), the Fourth (1202-04), and the Fifth (1217-21).
Episode 11 about Augustine of Hippo: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/augustine-of-hippo-do-we-need-grace/

Cyril, Methodius, and the Missions to Eastern Europe

Does the rain not fall equally upon all people? Does the sun not shine for all, and do we not all breathe the air in equal measure? Why then, are you not ashamed to recognize only three languages and command the other nations and races to be blind and deaf?” Who said this? A sixteenth-century Reformer, right? Wrong. It was a ninth-century missionary, Cyril, who worked with his brother Methodius to bring the Scriptures to the Slavs – even when it meant inventing an entirely new alphabet! Join Emma, Grace, Christian, and Mina as they discover more about these early missionaries and translators and the struggles they encountered. To guide them in their discoveries is Dr. Ed Smither, professor of Intercultural Studies and History of Global Christianity at Columbia International University.

Open Discussions in the Middle Ages

Did the Medieval church keep the traditions and teachings of the early church, or did something get lost along the way? Were the Protestant Reformers the first to challenge some of these traditions and teachings? Join Lucy, Linus, Mina, and their guest, Dr. Scott Clark, professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, as they explore some of the meaningful theological discussions that took place in the Middle Ages.
 
Show notes:
Article written by Simonetta Carr about Ratrammus, a Benedictine monk at Corbie Abbey in Picardy, France during this time period:
https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/ratramnus-corbie-and-his-book-lord%E2%80%99s-supper
 
*Image: Of Monks, Medieval Scribes, and Middlemen, By Peter K. Yu, Michigan State Law Review, Vol.1 (2006), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons