Kids Talk Church History

Why Study Medieval History?

When discouraged about the state of our world, have you ever heard someone say that it feels like we are back in the Dark Ages? What actually are the Dark Ages, and were they really dark? Did the church live in ignorance and superstition until Martin Luther rediscovered the truth? Join Emma, Trinity, and Christian as they discuss these questions and the fascinating centuries we have come to call the Middle Ages with Dr. Carl Trueman, professor of Biblical & Religious Studies at Grove City College.
Show Notes:
Cologne Cathedral
© Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
The Aesthetics of Architecture, by Roger Scruton
* The episode image is the "Glasses Apostle," a painting in the altarpiece of the church of Bad Wildungen, Germany. It was painted by Conrad von Soest in 1403, and is considered the oldest depiction of eyeglasses north of the Alps.
 

Missions to Northern Europe

Were there missionaries in the first centuries of church history? If so, what were they called? Were they ever afraid of going to unknown places? How did they learn to have patience during their long travels? Join Lucy, Lucas, and Linus, as they explore these questions and more with the help of their guest, Ed Smither, professor of intercultural studies and history of global Christianity, and dean of the College of Intercultural Studies at Columbia International University.
 
For a chance to win Simonetta Carr's award winning book, Church History, enter here. 
 
Show Notes
 
Christian Mission: A Concise Global History, by Edward Smither
https://lexhampress.com/product/166025/christian-mission-a-concise-global-history
 
The Biographical Dictionary (Boston University School of Theology)
https://www.bu.edu/missiology/missionary-biography/
 

Favorite Characters from the Early Church

With 16 episodes under their belts covering the first few centuries of church history, our hosts get together to discuss what they have learned and discovered. Find out who their favorite characters are, the episodes they like the best, and which suggestions from their guests really stood out. Then write to us and let us know what your favorites are! Write to Questions@KidsTalkChurchHistory.org. 
 
Be sure to subscribe to our email to be entered for a drawing to win a copy of Simonetta Carr's new book, Church History. The emails are used to notify you when the next Kids Talk Church History podcast drops and for special offers from Simonetta Carr and the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can unsubscribe at any time.
 

Bishops, Popes, and Emperors

Walk with Lucy, Lucas, and Linus through fifth-century Milan to discover how a meek and humble bishop resisted the impositions of an Empress and her son in what might have been the first sit-in in church history. Learn how his songs strengthened his congregation and baffled the soldiers outside. And listen to the enthralling explanations of Dr. Brian Arnold, Associate Professor of Theology and president of Phoenix Seminary, on the long struggle between bishops and rulers.
 
Show Notes:
 
Dr. Arnold recommended several books and resources for kids who want to learn more about church history:
 
Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelly
 
Christian Focus Publications -- resources for kids
 
Primary Sources:
 
On the Incarnation by Athanasius, with an introduction by C.S. Lewis
 
The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching by Irenaeus of Lyon
 

The Travels of Egeria

One day in the fourth century, Egeria, a woman with enough time and means, left for a three-year tour of Biblical places. Join Lucy, Lucas, and Linus as they follow Egeria's travels and discover some early church practices, thanks to their guest, Dr. Stefana Laing of Beeson Divinity School. Dr. Laing shares her invaluable knowledge, including a detailed explanation of how Christmas and Easter celebrations started.
 
Show Notes
 
Books recommendations for kids studying church history:
 
The Holy Land Illustrated Bible: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/csb-holy-land-illustrated-bible-hardcover-P005822949
 
Holman Illustrated Guide to Biblical Geography: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/holman-illustrated-guide-to-biblical-geography-P005018792
 
Photos provided by Dr. Stefana Lang:
 
My sterling silver ring features Hebrew script with a verse from Song of Songs 6:3, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." The early church interpreted this love poem in terms of Christ and the soul. 
The two small communion cups are made of olive wood, and I used one to take Communion in the Garden of Gethsemane in 2019 when I was traveling in Israel with a group of other women academics.
The sprig of dried rosemary is from a bush in the Garden of Gethsemane. We spent some devotional time there, individually praying and meditating on Jesus's Passion.

Patrick of Ireland

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Join Trinity, Emma, and Christian as they look beyond the popular stories of three-leaf clovers and snakes to discover the real Saint Patrick. When did he live? Why did he return to the people who had enslaved him? And why is he so important in church history? Listen to their engaging interview with Dr. Phillip Freeman, author of St. Patrick of Ireland, and find out more about this man of faith whom people celebrate every March 17th.
Show Notes:
St. Patrick of Ireland by Philip Freeman https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743256344?tag=simonsayscom
Patrick's confession https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_english#
Patrick's letter to the soldiers of Coroticus https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/epistola_english#
Lutheran Satire "St. Patrick's Bad Analogies" YouTube video:https://youtu.be/KQLfgaUoQCw

Heresies

HeresiesWhat are heresies and why are they so dangerous? Join Trinity, Emma, and Christian as they discuss this important topic with Dr. Justin Holcomb, a bishop-elect in the Episcopal Church and a co-host of the White Horse Inn podcast. Discover what heresies are still common today, how we can recognize them, and why we should use the word "heresies" carefully.
Show Notes:
Previous episodes dealing with specific heresies:Gnosticism: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/irenaeus-and-the-gnostics/Arianism: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/athanasius-and-the-nicene-creed/ Pelagianism: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/augustine-of-hippo-do-we-need-grace/
Books by Justin Holcomb:https://justinholcomb.com/books/
Lutheran Heresies Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQLfgaUoQCw

Best Friends in the Fourth Century

With Valentine’s Day coming up, it seems like the perfect time for Emma, Trinity, and Linus to discuss friendships in the early church with historian Dr. Michael Haykin, professor of church history and biblical spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. How did Christians in the early centuries maintain their friendships? How long did it take for a letter to travel from one friend to another? And most importantly, what is a true friend, and why is friendship so precious, both in the past and today?

Augustine of Hippo

“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” This famous quote by church father, Augustine of Hippo, is one of many you may have heard. But who was Saint Augustine, and why is he still important today? Why did he cry when he was appointed bishop? And how do we still have so many of his writings? Join Emma, Trinity, and Linus as they discuss all this and more with Dr. Phillip Cary, professor of philosophy at Eastern University and author of many books and a video course on Augustine.
We have a few copies of Simonetta Carr's book, Augustine of Hippo, that we'd like to give away. Enter here for an opportunity to win one. 

How Did the First Christians Live?

How did the early Christians live? Was it the same everywhere? And how is the early church similar to the church today? When did some people start praying to saints? Our hosts, Lucy, Emma, Trinity, and Christian, have many questions for our guest, Dr. Stephen Presley, professor of church history at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he has some fascinating answers.

Macrina and the Three Cappadocians

Join Lucy, Trinity, Christian, and Emma as they talk to Colorado Christian University Professor Megan Devore about one family's huge influence during the fourth century. Meet Macrina, who convinced her mother to free all their slaves and build a community where everyone helped each other and those around them. Meet her brother Basil, who started the first hospital, their brother Gregory of Nyssa, who gave the first known sermon against slavery, and their friend Gregory of Nazianzus, who wrote important works about the Trinity. Discover why some Christians chose to live apart from others and why one spent 40 years of his life on a pillar that became taller than a giraffe. Discover all this and more in this episode of Kids Talk Church History!
Be sure to subscribe to our email to be entered for a drawing to win a copy of Simonetta Carr's new book, Church History. The emails are used to notify you when the next Kids Talk Church History podcast drops and for special offers from Simonetta Carr and the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can unsubscribe at any time.
 

Athanasius and the Nicene Creed

As we prepare for Christmas, let's see why it's important to say that Jesus is fully God and fully man. How is that even possible? Wouldn't it be easier to say that Jesus was just similar to God? Does that make much of a difference? These questions divided the Christian world when Athanasius became the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, in 328. Join our hosts, Lucas, Christian, Linus, and Emma, as they talk about the adventurous life of Athanasius. He faced many dangers for insisting that Jesus is equal to the Father when many Roman emperors found other explanations more convenient. Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Biblical & Religious Studies at Grove City College, joins the discussion to help our hosts with listener questions and a few more of their own Discover what a creed is, why creeds are important, and whether Dr. Trueman has a favorite Christmas song.
You can enter a drawing for an opportunity to win a copy of Simonetta Carr’s book, Athanasius: Christian Biographies for Young Readers. They are provided courtesy of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books.
It is also available for sale at ReformedResources.org.
You can watch a video on Athanasius that previews the book above.
Dr. Trueman's Reading Suggestions
Simonetta Carr's Church History Books
Christian Focus Trail Blazers Series 
2,000 Years of Christ’s Power by Nick Needham
Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther By Roland H. Bainton 
image: Ikone Athanasius von Alexandria, public domain