John Chrysostom's Rhythms of Prayer (with Blake Leyerle)

In this engaging episode of Rhythms of Faith, Dr. Blake Leyerle, a professor of Early Christianity at the University of Notre Dame, dives into the social and cultural history of early Christianity. Dr. Leyerle shares her unique approach, focusing not on the renowned figures of the time but on the everyday lives of ordinary people. The conversation covers everything from Dr. Leyerle's detective-like historical research process, the creative interpretation of scant ancient data, to the importance of emotion in ethical formation as seen through the sermons and personality of John Chrysostom, an influential early church figure. She also touches on the role of music, the intersections of home and liturgical spaces, and the parallels between ancient and modern-day Christian practices. Finally, Dr. Leyerle reflects on the misconceptions about early Christianity and discusses her recent work, 'Christians at Home’, which explores the integration of religious practices into domestic spaces.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:26 Exploring Early Christianity02:15 The Creative Process of Historical Research03:50 Collaboration and Material Culture06:14 John Chrysostom: Life and Works14:53 Chrysostom's Approach to Emotions and Ethics21:23 Music in Early Christianity23:18 The Role of Psalms in Christian Practice23:56 Christianizing Daily Life Through Song24:49 Domestic Religion: Creating Sacred Spaces at Home27:16 The Three Sacred Objects in Christian Homes29:25 The Bed: A Place of Prayer and Reflection30:53 The Chest: Almsgiving and Moral Formation32:28 The Table: Hospitality and Scriptural Discussion33:02 Writing During the Pandemic: Inspiration and Challenges33:50 Empowering Lay Christians: Overcoming Inertia37:41 Debunking Myths About Early Christianity39:49 Fun Question: If You Were an Animal...41:49 Conclusion and Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.