The History of the Christian Church - 2000 Years of Christian Thought.

Jeremy
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A History Podcast of the Christian Church told through the lives and thoughts of it's greatest thinkers.Season 1 – A.D. 1 – A.D. 500   Plato and Greek philosophy. Apostolic fathers Justin Martyr Irenaeus  Clement of Alexandria Origin Cyprian Eusebius of Caesarea. Council of Nicaea Athanasies. Ephraim the Syrian. The Cappadocian fathers. The Council of Constantinople Ambrose John Chrysostom. Jerome. Augustine Cyril of Alexandria. The Council of Ephesus Theodor of Cyrus Leo the great. The Council of Chelsea and. The Apostles Creed.  

  1. The History of the Christian Church. Season 3 Episode 2 (Part 30) Boethius – Christianity in Conversation with Philosophy.

    DEC 1

    The History of the Christian Church. Season 3 Episode 2 (Part 30) Boethius – Christianity in Conversation with Philosophy.

    Send us a text In this episode we meet Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius — a Roman scholar, philosopher, and Christian who lived at the twilight of the ancient world. From his prison cell, awaiting execution under Theodoric the Ostrogoth, Boethius wrote The Consolation of Philosophy, one of the most influential works in Western history. This episode explores the life, context, and thought of Boethius — a man standing between two worlds: the fading classical order of Rome and the rising Christian civilization of medieval Europe. Through the figure of Lady Philosophy, Boethius sought comfort in reason, providence, and virtue. But as we’ll see, the book also reveals the limits of reason and the longing for the fuller revelation found only in Christ. Join us as we consider: ·         How Boethius bridged the gap between Plato and the early Church Fathers ·         Why The Consolation of Philosophy shaped medieval theology for centuries ·         The tension between philosophical reason and Christian revelation ·         What Boethius’s search for peace teaches us about faith in times of suffering ·         The story of Boethius reminds us that philosophy may point the way to truth — but only grace can open the gate. Support the show

    25 min
  2. The History of the Christian Church (Season 3, Episode 1 - Part 29) The Medieval West. 500-1500 A.D.

    NOV 1

    The History of the Christian Church (Season 3, Episode 1 - Part 29) The Medieval West. 500-1500 A.D.

    Send us a text Episode Notes:  The History of the Christian Church – Season 3, Episode 1 (Part 29) Title: The Medieval West: 500–1500 A.D. When you think of the Middle Ages, what comes to mind? Knights in shining armour? Castles and crusades? Or perhaps plagues and superstition? In this opening episode of Season 3, we step into the thousand-year story of the Western Church during the so-called "Dark Ages."  We’ll trace how the collapse of the Roman Empire gave way to chaos and invasion, but also how the monasteries preserved learning and kept faith alive. We’ll meet thinkers like Anselm, Abelard, and Aquinas who wrestled with the relationship between faith and reason. And we’ll see why this long, often-neglected period still speaks powerfully to our questions today. Season 3 begins here: The Medieval West, 500–1500 A.D. 🔑 Key Takeaways Why the "Dark Ages" weren’t completely dark.How monasteries became oases of faith and learning.The rise of scholastic theology and the new role of reason.The clash—and attempted harmony—between philosophy and revelation.Why the medieval wrestle with faith and reason still matters for us today.Support the show

    23 min

  3. OCT 2

    The History of the Christian Church (Part 28) The Eastern Confession of Cyril Lucaris & The Synod of Jerusalem

    Send us a text Welcome to this final episode in our season on the history of the Eastern Church. Today, we arrive at the threshold of the modern era, where the clash of ideas between East and West is no longer only about emperors, councils, and icons, but about doctrine itself. In the seventeenth century, the Orthodox world faced one of its most profound internal challenges when Cyril Lucaris—Patriarch of Constantinople—penned what came to be known as The Eastern Confession of the Christian Faith. The response came swiftly and decisively in The Confession of Dositheus—issued at the Synod of Jerusalem in 1672. This was no mild correction, but a thundering declaration that Orthodoxy would remain firmly opposed to Protestant innovations, reaffirming the authority of tradition, the necessity of the sacraments, and the enduring role of the Church’s magic and mystery. In this episode, we’ll trace the dramatic story of these two rival confessions, explore what was really at stake, and reflect on how these texts reveal the deep fissures and convictions of a church caught between East and West. And, as always, we’ll ask the question: What can I, as an evangelical Christian, learn from this moment in history today? Support the show

    35 min
  4. The History of the Christian Church. (Part 27). Finding God in the Silence. Gregory Palamas.

    SEP 1

    The History of the Christian Church. (Part 27). Finding God in the Silence. Gregory Palamas.

    Send us a text Episode Notes: Finding God in the Silence: Gregory Palamas In this episode of the History of the Christian Church podcast, we turn to the 14th century and meet one of the most influential voices of Eastern Christianity: Gregory Palamas. A monk, mystic, and defender of Hesychasm, Palamas taught that the path to God is found not only in theology and doctrine, but in prayer, silence, and communion with the divine. His distinction between the “essence” and “energies” of God became a cornerstone of Orthodox theology. But how should evangelical Christians view Palamas today? Can we learn from his emphasis on prayer and communion with God while still holding firmly to the sufficiency of Scripture and the finished work of Christ? Join us as we explore his life, his teaching, and why he still matters. Support the show

    21 min
  5. The History of the Christian Church (Part 26) Symeon – Having a Personal Relationship With God.

    AUG 1

    The History of the Christian Church (Part 26) Symeon – Having a Personal Relationship With God.

    Send us a text 🎙️ Welcome In today’s episode — Symeon: Having a Personal Relationship With God — we turn to one of the most radical and profound voices of the 10th century: Symeon the New Theologian. Long before the Reformation, Symeon challenged the formalism of the institutional church, insisting that every believer is called to a personal, experiential relationship with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was exiled, rejected, and branded controversial — yet his writings, visions, and hymns continue to ignite hearts even today. Join us as we unpack the life, teachings, and legacy of a mystic who burned with divine love and called the Church back to its first love. ✍️ Episode Notes Title: Symeon – Having a Personal Relationship With God 🔑 Key Themes: The necessity of direct encounter with God in the Christian lifeSymeon’s teaching on the visible light of divine presenceHis critique of spiritual formalism and institutional complacencyThe tension between mystical experience and biblical authorityRelevance of Symeon’s passion for holiness, repentance, and transformation🧠 Reflect: Do I seek a living relationship with Christ, or just religious routine?How can spiritual experience be pursued without neglecting Scripture and sound doctrine?What does it mean to live a life marked by repentance, holiness, and intimacy with God?Thanks for listening! Subscribe, share, and stay with us as we continue our journey through Christian history — rediscovering voices that shaped the Church and still speak today. Let’s not settle for religion without fire. Let’s pursue God Himself. Support the show

    31 min

  6. JUL 1

    The History of the Christian Church (Part 25) Three More Councils.

    Send us a text Welcome In today’s episode, we’re stepping once again into the drama of early church history — a time when emperors, bishops, and theologians gathered not only to settle fierce theological debates but to shape the foundations of Christian belief for centuries to come. We’ll explore three pivotal church councils that took place in the great imperial cities of Constantinople and Nicaea. Each one left a lasting legacy on what Christians believe, how we speak of Christ, and even how we worship Him. We begin with the often-overlooked Second Council of Constantinople in 553 AD — a council caught in the aftershocks of Chalcedon as it tried to balance orthodoxy with political unity. Next, we turn to the Third Council of Constantinople in 681, which tackled a crucial Christological question: Did Christ have one will or two? Finally, we arrive at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 — where the Church faced a different kind of controversy: not over Christ’s nature, but over the role of sacred images in Christian worship. So, what do these three councils teach us? Together, these councils remind us that Christian faith is not a static creed but a living, often contested, conversation — shaped by Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and tested over time. Some of the outcomes were faithful and helpful. Others raise serious concerns. They show a church striving to be faithful — often succeeding in doctrine, but failing in method. They reveal moments of theological clarity, but also times when politics, tradition, and coercion overshadowed the Word of God. But we also remember that councils are not infallible. Scripture alone remains our final authority. And our worship must be in spirit and truth — not shaped by images or state power, but by God’s revealed Word. Thanks for listening. In this episode, we’ve journeyed from 553 to 787 AD — and seen how the early church tried to clarify the faith. Some of their conclusions still serve the global church today. Others, we must test — and at times, reject — in the light of Scripture. Support the show

    28 min

  7. JUN 1

    A History of the Christian Church (Part 24) John of Damascus. A Voice of Truth in the Rise of Islam.

    Send us a text Welcome to The History of the Christian Church – Episode 24 John of Damascus: A Voice for Truth in the Rise of Islam In today’s episode, we explore the remarkable life and enduring influence of John of Damascus, the last of the great early Church Fathers. Living in the heart of the Islamic world yet shaped by deep Christian conviction, John stood at a critical juncture in church history. Amidst imperial decrees and theological upheaval, he became a bold defender of Christian doctrine and a powerful voice for truth against the rise of Islam. Best known for his defence of icons, John’s writings anchored Christian worship in the incarnation of Christ—proclaiming that the Word made flesh can and should be represented visually. Through his theological masterpiece, The Fountain of Knowledge, and his uncompromising witness under pressure, John of Damascus helped preserve and articulate the faith during a time of intense controversy. Join us as we reflect on his life, legacy, and what his courageous stand means for us today. 📘 Episode Highlights John’s early life under Islamic rule and his formative educationHis transition from public service to monastic devotionThe iconoclast controversy and John’s pivotal defense of sacred imagesA survey of his major works, including The Fountain of KnowledgeHis critique of Islam and role as a bridge between East and WestWhy his voice still matters in a world confused about truth and faithSupport the show

    35 min
  8. A History of the Christian Church (Part 23) Maximus the Confessor (c. 580 – 662) The Man Who Wouldn't be Silenced

    MAY 3

    A History of the Christian Church (Part 23) Maximus the Confessor (c. 580 – 662) The Man Who Wouldn't be Silenced

    Send us a text Maximus the Confessor – The Father of Byzantine Theology [Part 23] Season 2, Episode 2   👋 Welcome Welcome back to The History of the Christian Church! In Season Two, we continue our journey through the always vibrant and sometimes violent world of the Eastern Church. In today’s episode, we meet one of the most courageous and influential figures in Christian theology: Maximus the Confessor (c. 580–662). Philosopher, mystic, monk, and martyr in all but name, Maximus dared to defy emperors and resist compromise on one of the most essential truths of the Christian faith—that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. In a time when the unity of the empire seemed to hinge on theological concessions, Maximus chose faithfulness over safety. For this, he was imprisoned, exiled, and brutally mutilated. Yet his unwavering defense of the two wills of Christ would eventually be vindicated at the Sixth Ecumenical Council, shaping Eastern Christian theology for centuries to come. 📜 Episode Summary In this episode, we explore: The dramatic and heroic life of Maximus the Confessor—from imperial court to desert monastery, from scholarly debates to imperial trials.The theological controversy of Monothelitism, and why it threatened the heart of the Gospel.Maximus’s unwavering belief in the full humanity and divinity of Christ, and why he insisted Christ must have two wills.How his theological reflections—on Christ, creation, love, and divine purpose—continue to shape Eastern Christian mysticism and theology.The tragic cost of his faithfulness: exile, torture, and silence. And yet, through it all, a lasting legacy that still speaks.🔑 Key Themes Christology: Why the distinction between Jesus’ human and divine wills matters.Orthodoxy and Empire: What happens when political unity threatens doctrinal truth.Mysticism and Metaphysics: Maximus’s contribution to Christian mysticism and his engagement with Neoplatonic thought.Suffering and Witness: What it means to be a Confessor—to suffer for the truth without shedding blood.📖 Quote of the Episode. “We know God not in His essence, but by the magnificence of His creation and the action of His Providence, which present to us as in a mirror reflection of His goodness, His wisdom, and His infinite power.” — Maximus the Confessor, Centuries on Charity 1:96 🙏 Reflection Maximus’s story is not just about doctrinal precision. It’s about courageous fidelity to the Incarnate Christ. His life challenges us: Do we know what we believe—and are we willing to suffer for it? True theology leads not only to clarity, but to courage, worship, and love. 🔔 Subscribe & Share If you’re enjoying this journey through church history, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with friends or your church community. You can also support the show and get extra resources at https://patreon.com/JeremyMcCandless?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Support the show

    23 min
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A History Podcast of the Christian Church told through the lives and thoughts of it's greatest thinkers.Season 1 – A.D. 1 – A.D. 500   Plato and Greek philosophy. Apostolic fathers Justin Martyr Irenaeus  Clement of Alexandria Origin Cyprian Eusebius of Caesarea. Council of Nicaea Athanasies. Ephraim the Syrian. The Cappadocian fathers. The Council of Constantinople Ambrose John Chrysostom. Jerome. Augustine Cyril of Alexandria. The Council of Ephesus Theodor of Cyrus Leo the great. The Council of Chelsea and. The Apostles Creed.  

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