Church History for Chumps
We're not your grandfather's church history podcast. But we'd also really appreciate it if he still listened.
Saints, heretics, councils...and the occasional crazy stuff. We have fun.
IG: @churchhistory4chumps
Episodes
140 episodes
139. CHUMP TALK: Is Church Membership Biblical?
It's pretty fascinating to look at the idea of 'church membership' through a historical lens. It's fair to assume that the early church probably wasn't having people fill out visitor cards or handing out coffee mugs with the church ...
138. The Third Crusade: The Rise of Saladin and the Leper King
The Second Crusade was, for all intents and purposes, filler content. Not much land traded hands, the Franks kind of embarrassed themselves, not many crazy battles. Boring, am I right?The Third Crusade though? That's where things get pop...
137. California Dreamin: The Missions Movement to the 1848 Gold Rush
This one goes out to all our pals in California. And anyone who really likes gold.The early half of the 19th century was a massive time of western expansion in the United States. One of the most fascinating movements among this era was t...
136. The History of Christian Pilgrimage
Who wants to go on a trip?!Our journey through the Crusades have brought up an interesting topic: what's the deal with Christians traveling far and wide to visit so-called holy sites? Well join us today as we dig deeper into ...
135. Saint Jerome and the Legacy of the Latin Vulgate
Let's take it back old school for a minute. In the 4th century, the church was moving a little differently. In the east, Greek was still the common language, and they were loving the easy access to the earliest biblical texts. ...
134. CHUMP TALK: Why Do Christians Love Conspiracy Theories?
Did you know that jet fuel can melt steel beams?Or wait, it can't. I'm not sure anymore. People love conspiracy theories though. There's something very punk rock and anti-establishment about deciding that we don't...
133. The Wild World of Christian Relics: From the Holy Grail to the Crown of Thorns
Who doesn't love a little Indiana Jones reference, right?It seems like the Western Christian world has been fascinated for ages with the mystical (and possibly magical) qualities of such objects like the Shroud of Turin or the Holy Lance...
132. The Crushing Collapse of the Second Crusade
"So great was the disaster of the army and so inexpressible the misery that those who took part bemoan it with tears to this very day."The Second Crusade failed to capture lightning in a bottle a second time. What was proposed as a rousi...
131. The Templar Knights and the Doomed Road to Outremer
The Second Crusade has begun. Louis VII and Conrad III, respective Kings of France and Germany, have gathered their troops and are prepared to walk in the footsteps of their crusading forefathers. Their troops eagerly anticipated sh...
130. The Fall of Edessa and the Beginning of the Second Crusade
The year is 1144. The County of Edessa falls to the Seljuks. The first major blow to the Crusader States takes place, and the Latin Franks have to decide their response. Generations have passed since the successful first...
129. CHUMP TALK: How Christians Can Live United in Dividing Times
Sometimes the doctrinal and cultural differences that exist within the Christian church can feel overwhelming. We want to live united within the Body of Christ, but we also want to honor truth and our own church tradition. How can w...
128. Bernard of Clairvaux: The Monk who Loved God and Preached the Crusades
The rumblings of the Second Crusade have begun. But before that, we have to set the stage with one of the most influential figures, not just in rallying troops to take up the cross, but in all of medieval Christianity: Bernie of Cla...
127. The History of Just War Theory: Augustine's Most Controversial Take (maybe)
Just War Theory seems to be a phrase that's thrown around a lot lately. But where does it come from? Who does it come from? And why is it still relevant today?For this episode, John and Taylor are going to dive into the deep cuts of none...
126. Saints Who Weren't Exactly Human...Three Whimsical Tales
You know, when Taylor and John meet with our Board of Trustees every third Tuesday, we usually ask the same question: Where was the whimsy in the last episode? This week, we're pushing whimsy on all cylinders. We're here to share th...
125. What's the Deal with the Easter Bunny? The History of Easter
Dyed eggs, pastel colors, and of course the Easter Bunny, a Claus-esque creature of the night that brings good tidings to pious children. When you take a step back it really does feel a little strange when we consider the ways that ...
124. Andrew Fuller: The Heart of the Baptist Missionary Society
Many modern observers of trends in Western Christianity have rightly noted a move away from the 'low-church' worlds of typical non-denom and Baptist fare, in favor of a more Anglicanish, fancy-hat-wearing-vibe. If you ask our guest ...
123. CHUMP TALK: Is it still cool to talk about Deconstruction?
Deconstruction feels like a big 2017 idea. Talking about it today feels kinda dated. But you know what? CH4C didn't exist in 2017. So here we are. Deconstruction, popularized by folks like Joshua Harris or Rhett and Link...
122. Saint Anselm: Thinker, Philosopher, Theologian
The "dark ages" really get a bad wrap, if you ask us. The phrase tends to make you think of something from a Monty Python skit: a toothless peasants, constant famine, and a wildly corrupt and inept church. And while ever...
121. Jerusalem has Fallen: The Rise of the Crusader States
July 15th, 1099. The walls of Jerusalem are breached by the Crusaders, and finally the holy city has been conquered by the Franks. To some, a long and arduous road was finally coming to an end. But for many more, things were just ge...
120. The Crusades Begin...The Promised Land Awaits
It's been several years since Pope Urban's call to arms in 1095. Many of the crusaders are worn out and exhausted. For years they have endured famine, starvation, and widespread loss of life. Yet, the Promised Land is on the horizon. Jerusalem ...
119. The Crusades Begin...The Siege of Antioch
So far in our series on the First Crusade, we've discussed the failures in great detail. But what about the victories? Surely our Frankish friends had to taste some success, right?Right you are indeed. After cruising through the Battle o...
118. CHUMP TALK: The One Where the Guys Talk About Christian Nationalism
If there's a more loaded or controversial term in politics right now than 'Christian Nationalism,' well I'll be honest, I don't wanna hear about it. But it's an idea that's on the hearts and minds of Christians all over the nation. ...
117. The Crusades Begin...Godfrey of Bouillon
The Crusades have officially begun, and let's be honest: the crusaders have let us down a little bit. The People's Crusade was a nightmare, and the pillaging of Jewish communities in Rhineland was also not great. Okay it was pretty awful.
116. The Crusades Begin...The People's Crusade
The stage is finally set: the Western Christians have heard the call to the Holy Land, and have responded with resounding affirmation.The first of the waves of Europeans to head for Jerusalem wasn't quite what you'd imagine though. Led b...