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

Jeremy

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. Oct 17

    The History of the Church (Part 43) Francis of Assisi Part 3

    Send us Fan Mail Please note that this episode is a complete 2026 rewrite and expansion of an essay I first wrote in 1995 as part of a module on Church History under L.B.C. I have included the full list of references: References for the Francis of Assisi: 1. The Bible — Primary Theological Source Matthew 5–7 — Sermon on the Mount; treasure, generosity, righteousness and discipleship. Matthew 6:19–24 — Treasures in heaven and serving God rather than money. Matthew 18:1–6 — Greatness, humility and receiving the vulnerable. Matthew 20:20–28 — Greatness through servanthood; Christ came "not to be served but to serve." Matthew 25:31–46 — The "least of these" and Christian responsibility toward those in need. Mark 8:34–38 — Self-denial, taking up the cross and following Christ. Mark 10:17–31 — The rich young ruler and the danger of wealth. Mark 10:42–45 — Servanthood and Christ giving His life as a ransom. Luke 9:23–25 — Taking up the cross daily. Luke 10:25–37 — The Good Samaritan and practical mercy. Luke 14:12–14 — Generosity toward those who cannot repay. Luke 18:18–30 — The rich ruler. John 13:1–17 — Jesus washing the disciples' feet. John 13:34–35 — "Love one another as I have loved you." Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–35; 5:1–11 — Early Christian generosity and the question of private possessions. Romans 12:9–13 — Love, generosity, hospitality and serving others. 1 Corinthians 13 — Christian love. 2 Corinthians 8–9 — Generosity and care for Christians in need. Galatians 5:13 — "Through love serve one another." Ephesians 4:28 — Working so that we may have something to share with those in need. Philippians 2:3–8 — Christ's humility and taking the form of a servant. Philippians 4:10–13 — Contentment in both abundance and need. 1 Timothy 6:6–19 — Contentment, the danger of the love of money, and instructions to wealthy believers. James 2:14–17 — Faith expressed through practical care for those in need. 1 Peter 4:8–11 — Using God's gifts to serve others. Hebrews 13:16 — Doing good and sharing with others. 2. Francis of Assisi — Primary Sources Francis of Assisi, The Testament Francis of Assisi, Earlier Rule (Regula non bullata), 1221 Francis of Assisi, Rule of the Friars Minor, 1223 Francis of Assisi, Admonitions Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures 3. Thomas of Celano Thomas of Celano, The Life of St. Francis (Vita prima), c. 1228–1229 Thomas of Celano, The Second Life of St. Francis (Vita secunda), c. 1246–1247 4. Bonaventure Bonaventure, The Legend of Saint Francis 5. The Three Companions The Legend of the Three Companions, c. 1246 6. The Little Flowers of St. Francis The Little Flowers of St. Francis (Fioretti), late 13th/14th century 7. The Franciscan Rule and Papal Documents Pope Innocent III — early oral approval of the Franciscan movement, traditionally dated to 1209/1210. Pope Honorius III, Solet annuere (1223) — formal papal approval of the definitive Rule. Pope Gregory IX, Quo elongati (1230) — an important interpretation of Francis's Testament and the obligations of the Rule. Pope Nicholas III, Exiit qui seminat (1279) — major papal intervention concerning Franciscan poverty. Pope John XXII, Ad conditorem canonum (1322) — a major turning point in the controversy over Franciscan poverty. 8. Modern Historical and Biographical Studies Augustine Thompson: Francis of Assisi: A New Biography. Cornell University Press, 2012. André Vauchez: Francis of Assisi: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Saint. Yale University Press, 2012. Jacques Le Goff: Saint Francis of Assisi Routledge, 2004. Adrian House Francis of Assisi: The Man, the Saint and the Legend: Hidden Spring, 2001. Paul Sabatier: Life of St. Francis of Assisi 9. G. K. Chesterton: St. Francis of Assisi, 1923. 10. Online References: The Catholic Encyclopaedia. Support the show Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Journey Podcast (A Verse by Verse Study through the whole Bible: https://thebiblejourneydailypodcast.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

    The History of the Church (Part 43) Francis of Assisi Part 3
  2. Oct 10

    The History of the Church (Part 42) Francis of Assisi Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail Episode Notes: In our last episode, we stood in Rome in the year 1215. Bishops had gathered from across Western Europe, and the papacy stood at the height of its influence. The Church possessed enormous institutional, political, and spiritual power. Theology was becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the medieval Christian world appeared strong. But while all of this was happening, something else was taking place. But not in the palaces of Rome this time, not in the chambers of bishops. Not even in the lecture halls of the great universities. But in the life of a young Italian who had begun asking a very different question. Not: "How can I make the Church more powerful?" But: "What would it actually mean to follow Jesus?" His name was Francis of Assisi, and his answer would change the Christian world. Please note this episode is a complete 2026 rewrite and expansion of an essay in podcast form I first wrote in 1995 as part of a module studying Church History under L.B.C. I have included the full list of references: Support the show Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Journey Podcast (A Verse by Verse Study through the whole Bible: https://thebiblejourneydailypodcast.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

    The History of the Church (Part 42) Francis of Assisi Part 2
  3. Sep 1

    A History of The Christian Church (Part 40). The Fourth Council of the Lateran. (1215 A.D.)

    Send us Fan Mail SPECIAL NOTE: This episode was extensively developed from an essay I wrote in 1994 as a conclusion to a module on the Medieval Church that I was studying under distance learning through London Bible College. I always hoped it would become useful one day. It was the year 1215. And if you could have stood in Rome that year, you would have witnessed something extraordinary. Thousands of churchmen gathered together. Bishops and abbots. Theologians and representatives of the great religious orders. And presiding over them all was one of the most powerful popes medieval Europe had ever known: Pope Innocent III. The medieval Church was at the height of its institutional power, and this council was going to make that power felt. I have included an extensive list of references and sources  References and Sources: Support the show Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Journey Podcast (A Verse by Verse Study through the whole Bible: https://thebiblejourneydailypodcast.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

    A History of The Christian Church (Part 40). The Fourth Council of the Lateran. (1215 A.D.)
  4. Aug 1

    A History of The Christian Church (Part 39) Joachim of Fiore - The Father of the ‘New Age’.

    Send us Fan Mail It was an age of order, logic, and structure. The great questions of faith were increasingly discussed in the schools and universities, and theology was becoming a disciplined science.  But not everyone believed that God was working primarily through classrooms and theological systems. Some believed He was about to do something entirely new. Some believed history itself was reaching a dramatic turning point. And among those voices, none was more influential or more controversial than Joachim of Fiore. Support the show Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Journey Podcast (A Verse by Verse Study through the whole Bible: https://thebiblejourneydailypodcast.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

    A History of The Christian Church (Part 39) Joachim of Fiore - The Father of the ‘New Age’.
  5. Jul 1

    The History of the Christian Church (Part 38) Peter Lombard -The Man Who Built Medieval Theology.

    Send us Fan Mail Episode Notes: Some people change history through dramatic events. Others change it through ideas. And then there are those rare figures who quietly reshape the way an entire civilization thinks. Peter Lombard was one of those men. You may not recognize his name immediately. He did not lead crusades, he did not stand before kings, and he did not become a martyr. And yet, for centuries, almost every theologian in Western Europe would sit under his influence. Because Peter Lombard did something extraordinary. He took the scattered theology of centuries, including the writings of the church fathers… the arguments of philosophers… the reflections of monks… the growing debates of the religious schools… and he attempted to organize it all into a single coherent system. His masterpiece was called Sentences, and for nearly four hundred years, it became the standard textbook of theology in the medieval church. And yet, this episode is not merely about old books and forgotten debates. Because the questions Peter Lombard wrestled with are still our questions. So, join me in today’s episode… As we explore the life and influence of Peter Lombard — The quiet scholar whose work became the foundation of medieval theology and whose influence shaped the church for centuries to come. Because sometimes the people who most change history are not the loudest voices in the room. But the ones who teach everyone else how to think…. Support the show Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Journey Podcast (A Verse by Verse Study through the whole Bible: https://thebiblejourneydailypodcast.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

    The History of the Christian Church (Part 38) Peter Lombard -The Man Who Built Medieval Theology.
  6. Jun 1

    A History of The Christian Church (Part 37) Bernard of Clairvaux - The Voice That Called the Church Back.

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome: What happens when the church becomes too clever? What happens when faith is no longer something to be lived, but something to be analysed? That is the world we stepped into with Peter Abelard in our last episode.  But not everyone welcomed that change, because, amid that rising tide of intellectual confidence, another voice began to speak. His name was Bernard of Clairvaux. And these two worldviews would collide. The world of the philosopher…. and the world of the monk.  Their conflict would not just shape their own lives, but it would shape the direction of medieval theology itself. And this still matters because, at its core, this is not just a story about the twelfth century. It is a story about every generation of the church.  So, join me in today’s episode…. As we step into the life, the passion, and the fierce convictions of Bernard of Clairvaux. The man who stood against the rising tide of intellectualism and called the church back to what, well, maybe to the heart of the Christian faith. For a complete list of sources and references used in the production of this episode, please visit my FREE Patreon page. Support the show Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Journey Podcast (A Verse by Verse Study through the whole Bible: https://thebiblejourneydailypodcast.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

    A History of The Christian Church (Part 37) Bernard of Clairvaux - The Voice That Called the Church Back.
  7. May 1

    A History of The Christian Church (Part 36) Peter Abelard - When Reason Takes the Stage.

    Send us Fan Mail This episode goes live on all podcast platforms on the 1st May 2026 What happens when the human mind refuses to stay quiet? Today as we move further into the medieval world, that careful balance begins to shift. Because in the next generation, a new voice emerges. Brilliant, bold, and uncompromising. A man who would not simply reflect on the faith but would challenge it…. His name was Peter Abelard. For further reading and a complete list of all references & sources for this episode, please visit my Patreon page. Support the show Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Journey Podcast (A Verse by Verse Study through the whole Bible: https://thebiblejourneydailypodcast.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

    A History of The Christian Church (Part 36) Peter Abelard - When Reason Takes the Stage.

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About

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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