Kids Talk Church History

Ephrem and His Songs of Christ’s Birth

Have you ever heard of a poet named Ephrem? Few people have. He lived during the fourth century in the region we now call Turkey and used his songs to help people understand the true meaning of the Scriptures. Join Lucas, Linus, Christian, and Emma as they wonder at the beauty of Ephrem's songs, especially those describing Christ's birth and what it means for us. To help them in their discoveries is Dr. Jeff Wickes, associate professor of the History of Christianity at the University of Notre Dame. Find out what was the greatest challenge for Christians who wanted to take the Gospel to people who had never heard it and hear our hosts' lively discussion of Christmas songs.
Be sure to enter for the opportunity to win a copy of The Priest with Dirty Clothes by R.C. Sproul, available courtesy of Reformation Trust Publishing. Click here or submit a question to Questions@KidsTalkChurchHistory.org to enter.
This month, Simonetta Carr's Christian Biographies For Young Readers are on sale at ReformedResources.org for $14.00.
 

Irenaeus and the Gnostics

Join Lucy, Lucas, and Linus as they continue to explore the fascinating history of the early church. In this new episode of Kids Talk Church History, they interview Fr. John Behr, an Eastern Orthodox priest and theologian and one of the foremost experts on the early church, about the subject of one of his books, Irenaeus of Lyons. Find out about the people we now call Gnostics, what were some of their strange ideas and why they thought they were not strange at all, why trying to know God outside of the Scriptures is never a good idea, who was the first bishop of Rome, and much more. Also, sign up to possibly win a copy of Simonetta Carr's Irenaeus of Lyons! We'll be giving away the book thanks to the generosity of Reformation Heritage Books.
Show Notes
You can purchase Simonetta's book Irenaeus - Christian Biographies For Young Readers on sale at Reformed Resources.
Read more from Simonetta in her column Cloud of Witnesses over at Place for Truth:"Irenaeus – Loved by the Reformers, Still Refreshing Today"
 

Why the Pilgrims Left England

It's almost Thanksgiving. As our hosts start planning their family gatherings, they begin to review the history of this yearly holiday and decide to learn more about why the group of settlers known as Pilgrim Fathers chose to come to America. They were not the first to arrive on this continent and definitely not the first to leave England for religious reasons. What exactly were those reasons? When did these so-called Nonconformists start disagreeing with the Church of England? And what happened to those who stayed there? Join Lucy, Lucas, and Linus as they ask these and many other questions to Rev. Gary Brady, pastor of Child's Hill Baptist Church in North West London and author of the book, The Great Ejection, 1662.
We are giving away a copy of Simonetta Carr’s book, John Owen - Christian Biographies for Young Readers, courtesy of Reformation Heritage Books. Enter here for an opportunity to win.
Show Notes
The Great Ejection – Nonconformists and 1662, Gary Brady
To find out more about the non-conformists, we recommend you read Simonetta's books on John Owen and John Bunyan.
Read more from Simonetta in her column Cloud of Witnesses over at Place for Truth:John Bunyan and the Women Who Shaped His Life 
Edmund Grindal and His Letter to the Queen

Martin Luther and the Children in His Life

On October 31, 1517, a German friar named Martin Luther nailed 95 propositions to the door of the local church. Some were questions he had been considering for a while. For example, why did some bishops sell pieces of paper that granted forgiveness of sins? He didn't mean to rebel against his authorities. He just wanted to have a discussion. But the bishops, and even the pope, refused to take him seriously. Soon, his propositions were published in many languages—today, we would say they went viral! Many people believe that was the start of the Protestant Reformation. 
As you remember that day, listen to Lucy, Mina, and Trinity talk to Dr. Robert Kolb, professor emeritus of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, about a part of Luther's life few people mention: his love for children.
We are giving away a copy of Simonetta's book Martin Luther - Christian Biographies For Young Readers, courtesy of Reformation Heritage Books. Enter here for an opportunity to win a copy.
Show Notes
Read Luther's Small Catechism
You can purchase Simonetta's book on Martin Luther at ReformedResources.org.
Read Simonetta's article From Gardens to Shoes – Being a Father During the Reformation
Read Martin Luther's Letter to his Son Johannes
You can still be entered to win a copy of Simonetta's new book, Church History. Simply subscribe to the Kids Talk Church History email!

The First Christian Nations

Join Lucas, Trinity, and Mina in exploring the history of ancient Armenia, Georgia (a nation in Europe), and Ethiopia—the first nations to officially become Christian. Hear about George the Illuminator, who survived 13 years in a grim prison thanks to a woman who fed him bread; Hripsime, who fought the king's advances for seven hours - and won; Nino, an enslaved woman who brought the Gospel to Georgia; and Frumentius and Edesius, who started on a sea adventure with their uncle and ended up as the king's servants in Ethiopia. Discover how these people manage to convince rulers that Jesus is the only savior, how three whole nations became Christian, and more with our hosts and their special guest, Rev. Eric Clausen. The latter runs an exciting podcast named Faithful Forebearers.
Show Notes
Read Simonetta's article on The Birth of Early Christian Nations
Faithful Forebearers
You can still be entered to win a copy of Simonetta's new book, Church History. Simply subscribe to the Kids Talk Church History email!

Blandina and Persecution in the Roman Empire

Following the long story of Christ's church, Lucy, Lucas, and Trinity talk about the first mass persecution of Christians, the courage of Blandina and her friends, and what this meant for the church. They also discuss persecution in general and how Christ is keeping His promise of preserving His church when others try to destroy it. They share their questions with Dr. Richard Bishop, Registrar and Director of Institutional Research at Westminster Seminary California. Tune in to find out why the Romans persecuted Christians, whether Christians really hid in catacombs, and more.
Show Notes
Read Simonetta's article "Blandina – God’s Strength in Weakness"
Read more on the martyrdom of Blandina from Eusebius:The Church History of Eusebius, Book 5, Chapter 1
The story of Blandina is included in Simonetta's book Irenaeus - Christian Biographies For Young Readers, available at ReformedResources.org.
 
Image: Jan Luyken (1649-1712), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons/cropped and duotone added.

Why Study Church History?

Meet some of the hosts of Kids Talk Church History in this first episode. Lucy, Lucas, Trinity, Mina, and Christian discuss what sparked their interest in church history and who are some of their favorite characters. Shorter than usual, it will whet your appetite for things to come!
Subscribe to Kids Talk Church History this month, and you will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of Simonetta's new book Church History, courtesy of Reformation Heritage Books.
Show NotesRead interesting short stories from church history at Simonetta Carr’s blog Cloud of Witnesses Simonetta’s books are available at ReformedResources.org.Defenestration of Prague Polycarp

Welcome to Kids Talk Church History

Imagine a podcast where kids talk about the people, big events, and amazing stories in church history. Author and historian Simonetta Carr, in partnership with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, presents Kids Talk Church History featuring special guests, listener questions, and more. Do you have a favorite story from church history? Join us at KidsTalkChurchHistory.org.