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PODCAST · religion

Christianity, the Backstory

by Elliott Smith

Looking between the lines of Church history and the New Testament. The narrative that Christianity is based on includes assumptions that are easy to miss, assumptions that are also fundamental premises. Like the idea that this religion is well connected with the man we all know as Jesus.This podcast puts that narrative into straight forward terms, and applies critical thinking to see if it makes sense. Premise: it’s supposed to make sense. And if it doesn’t, in behind the Church’s story there might be a cohesive, credible story that does make sense.Christianity is open for critique

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Episodes

  1. 8e) Acts of the Spotlight Part 5

    The stage play Image: 'What is Truth?', a painting by Nikolai Nikolaievich, 1890

  2. 8d) Acts of the Spotlight Part 4

    James the brother of Jesus, and the elders at Jerusalem, and thousands of Jews there who have believed and are zealous for the law... How are they regarded by the author of Acts? How are their envoys received at Antioch? Image: 'What is Truth?', a painting by Nikolai Nikolaievich, 1890

  3. 8c) Acts of the Spotlight Part 3

    Jerusalem and Antioch, culturally and ideologically divergent. The defining principle of Christianity, and a response to it by James, the brother of Jesus. Image: 'What is Truth?', a painting by Nikolai Nikolaievich, 1890

  4. 8b) Acts of the Spotlight Part 2

    "They added nothing to my message." The exclusive gospel of Paul. Image: 'What is Truth?', a painting by Nikolai Nikolaievich, 1890

  5. 8) Acts of the Spotlight Part 1

    Tracing the belief system of Christianity back in time, how do we get from Antioch to Jerusalem ? It’s about what people were thinking. There’s a group of people in Jerusalem who need to have believed pretty much the same things that people were believing in Antioch. Image: 'What is Truth?', a...

  6. CHURCH NOTICE

    This is notice of a public challenge to the Christian Church, bringing into question its past conduct. To the Church of old: The story you passed on to us about a first century Jewish movement… was it faithfully told? REFUTE THIS THESIS. The premise of the thesis is that Christianity began in...

  7. 7) A Tenuous Connection

    The story that Christian belief is centred on, does it reach back to Jesus?

  8. 6) Early Church History

    The story begins. What did Peter and John and the other disciples of Jesus go on to do? ... Where did they go? Introducing Paul, and his doctrine.

  9. 5b) Messiah. (Part 2)

    What did they believe? Image: 'What is Truth?', a painting by Nikolai Nikolaievich, 1890

  10. 5) Messiah. (Part 1)

    The missing information about the disciples of Jesus. Image: 'What is Truth?', a painting by Nikolai Nikolaievich, 1890

  11. 4) Christ

    How far back do we go with this concept of Christ? Can we really take it back to the people who followed Jesus around Galilee and Judea? Did they believe it? Were they Christians?

  12. 3) The Rabbi

    An interview with Rabbi Philip Kaplan at the Great Synagogue, Sydney. In Mark 8:29 Jesus says to his disciples; "What about you? Who do you say I am?" And Peter answers, "You are the Messiah." Who is better placed to know what Peter might have meant by this; a Reverend, or a Rabbi?

  13. 2) The Reverend

    An interview with the Reverend of Saint Andrew's Presbyterian church, Newcastle Australia. (The Church in the picture) Tim responds to two questions: # What is Christianity? # What is the central message of Christianity? We also address what exactly it is that makes a person eligible for heaven.

  14. 1) What is Christianity?

    The mother of all Christian assumptions

  15. The Book (Intro part 2)

    A combination of material from two rival movements

  16. A Fourth Century Tale (Intro part 1)

    Looking between the lines of Church history and the New Testament. An unorthodox tour through early Church times for anyone interested in what might have been going on behind the scenes. Behind the scenes of the official story that was produced by the Church, with its rise to power. The Church…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Looking between the lines of Church history and the New Testament. The narrative that Christianity is based on includes assumptions that are easy to miss, assumptions that are also fundamental premises. Like the idea that this religion is well connected with the man we all know as Jesus.This podcast puts that narrative into straight forward terms, and applies critical thinking to see if it makes sense. Premise: it’s supposed to make sense. And if it doesn’t, in behind the Church’s story there might be a cohesive, credible story that does make sense.Christianity is open for critique

HOSTED BY

Elliott Smith

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Christianity, the Backstory have?

Christianity, the Backstory currently has 16 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Christianity, the Backstory about?

Looking between the lines of Church history and the New Testament. The narrative that Christianity is based on includes assumptions that are easy to miss, assumptions that are also fundamental premises. Like the idea that this religion is well connected with the man we all know as Jesus.This...

How often does Christianity, the Backstory release new episodes?

Christianity, the Backstory has 16 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Christianity, the Backstory?

You can listen to Christianity, the Backstory on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Christianity, the Backstory?

Christianity, the Backstory is created and hosted by Elliott Smith.
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