Church History for Chumps

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 sharing the glory of the heroic first crusaders. The morale was sky high. But things were not as they seemed. Both German and French armies faced tough losses right away, and soon they realized that this may not be the walk in the park that they'd hoped.Also, we're going to take a deep dive into the most meme-able face of the Crusades, the Templar Knight. Where did they come from? Where did they go? Something something Cotton-eyed Joe??? Also guys, Taylor is so excited about our BuyMeACoffee perks that he has literal chest pains. Check it out! Support the show

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 Crusade where Western Christendom accomplished one of the most stunning military victories in recorded history. It's time to see if lightning can strike twice. Join John and Taylor as we dive through Eugenius, Bernard, and the rumbling of thunder before the downpour of the Second Crusade. Also we talk about whether it's sanctified to write negative Yelp reviews. What fun! Support the show

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 we do it? Is it even possible?Fear not, dear listener. Two podcasters are here to shine the light for you. Join Tay and John as we share about our experiences in different church settings, and how we believe the church can walk united through its differences. And thank you again to Isaac P. for executive producing and recommending this episode! You da best. Support the show

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 Clairvaux. Bernard was a man of many hats: monk, mystic, theologian, teacher, papal advisor, and even a reformer (but not the protestant kind). To us, Bernie is a perfect example of someone who represented a kind of intellectual piety and love for Christ that *feels so strange* in lieu of his historical context. But that's just what we think, what do YOU think??? Let us know in the comments. Also, serious question, can you hear Taylor's fan? If you can let us know. It's really obnoxious. He's really obnoxious, too. This is John btw. Support the show

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 other than Augustine himself. We'll explore the oft-quote passages from the Contra Faustum where this idea originated that would shape hundreds of years of Western combat. And if you just guessed that we're easing our way back into the Crusades, well you're right pal. Shameless Sponsored PlugSupport the show

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 three (that's right, three!) stories of saints with one thing in common: they aren't humans. At least not in the traditional sense.We'll share the stories of Li Ban, the venerated mermaid, Saint Guinefort, a greyhound recognized as a martyr, and the mysterious Mexican folk saint Santa Muerte. Support the show

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 we celebrate Easter these days. Do you ever wonder how we got here?Wonder no more, dear chump listener. Join us as we explore the history of Easter, from the early days of squabbling over when to celebrate it, to the advent of hard-boiled eggs and wearing pink and yellow polo shirts. And also, we've got new perks! Fun perks! Cool perks! Support us today! Or tomorrow is fine, too. Support the show

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 host, Mr. Tyler Sanders, why that is, he's likely to say it's because Baptists don't get enough credit for the depth of history that they bring to the table. Andrew Fuller for example (not the cake guy) is a great example of an influential figure who shaped modern missions and wrote Baptist theology, all while shepherding his own church. Regardless of where you fall on the pastor-wears-a-fancy-hat vs. no-hats-in-church spectrum, we think you'll enjoy our discussion today.So yeah, we're back with another Baptist episode (per the demands in Taylor's podcast host contract). But it's a good time, we promise. Thanks again Tyler for joining! Support the show

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, is a common term for taking certain religious views with a critical eye. It's a reasonably pretty controversial idea. Some Christians view it as a helpful way to grow from the false ways that we've understood the faith. Other Christians worry that it will cause a downward slide that will lead believers out of the faith. All of these views are honestly pretty valid. So let's talk about it! Join Taylor and John as we chop it up, chump style.Support the show

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 every bit of fiction has some truth to it, there's one big problem to that narrative. Anselm was an absolute BALLER. Listen as Thomas leads the lads through the story of Anselm of Canterbury (Handsome Anselm is what Taylor calls him), Doctor of the medieval church. Support the show

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 getting started. Join us as we talk about the rise and not-quite-yet-fall of the Crusader States, sometimes known as Outremer, consisting of the counties of Tripoli and Edessa, the principality of Antioch, and of course, the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Also, on a totally different note, how does Taylor pick what songs to lead at church? And why doesn't he like Chris Tomlin? Just kidding Mr. Tomlin, thanks for enjoying our show. Support the show

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 awaits. Join the gang as we dive into the great climax of the First Crusade, the arrival at the object of every Frank's eyes, the Holy City of the Levant. Also...why IS Coke Zero so much better than Diet Coke? Does anyone have a reason? We really don't know. Huh. Support the show

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 of Nicaea, the Crusaders would earn a massive dub, after the grueling and painfully slow Siege of Antioch. This story has it all: human catapults, inside agents, comparisons to Lord of the Rings, and even a holy relic. It's a fun time!Also shoutout to Ben Watson, wherever you are, we hope you're doing good. Support the show

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. So what's the deal with it? How can we define it? And how do the three of us (as all-powerful podcast hosts with limitless wisdom) believe that faith and government should interact with each other? Wonder no more! We'll talk about it all, right here. Do you have thoughts on Christian Nationalism? We'd love to hear them! Share them in the comments!Support the show

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.But what happens when an army of crusaders is led by a man with pious character, integrity, and (apparently) a head of flowing, golden locks? Well, we get today's feature: Godfrey of Bouillon. A key military figure of the First Crusade and first political leader of Jerusalem. Speaking of the Crusades, we want to hear from the people: How are you enjoying the Crusades series so far? Should we stay the pace, or take a break and cover some different topics? Let us know in the comments!!Support the show

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 by the charismatic open-air preacher Peter the Hermit, a band of thousands of untrained soldiers headed East to participate in the early crusade. The results were...mixed to say the least. Join us as we explore the honestly kind of terrible People's Crusade. We'll also discuss whether we've been kind to the Anabaptists, what our next Chump Talk should be, and whether Taylor's mom needs to wear sunglasses. Support the show

Blah blah Byzantines, blah blah Seljuks, when do we get to the FIGHTING???How about NOW. Well, sorta. Finally our story finds us back in the West, where Pope Urban II will stir affections far and wide, compelling the feudal Franks to storm the Holy Land. But what were the motivations of these war-hungry comrades? Fame? Piety? Dollar bills?? You'll have to tune in to find out.You'll also find out all about skull shavers, Myrtle Beach, and whether golfing is cool yet (it's not). Support the show

Everyone loves a romance story. The initial flirting, then falling in love, then holding an ecumenical council where you promise to always love each other. But alas, then comes...the breakup. As we continue to set the stage for the Crusades, we are forced to answer one crucial question. Why don't the Byzantines and Western Christians like each other anymore? :( The answer is (probably) more complex than you'd think. So grab some popcorn and buckle up as we guide you through the messiest breakup in church history. Also, John talks about his new favorite theology teacher, Gavin Ortlund. Gavin if you're reading this, please be a guest on our show. You're a cool guy. Support the show

You know what they say: if you can't join them, beat them. And we're not taking any more cohosts on our show unfortunately. So if you want to get into the CRAZY LUCRATIVE world of church history, you're gonna have to start your own podcast. But don't actually do that, we can't really afford any more competition if we want to be financially stable anytime soon...Anyways. This episode of chump talk dives into how we go about researching our topics, from finding reputable sources to sifting through the propaganda that pretends that it's real history. Also we talk about boy dinner, which sounds weird when you say it, Taylor. Bon appetit! Support the show

Today we discuss the third major character of our series on the Crusades, the mighty Byzantine Empire. Well...once mighty, that is. For centuries, the Byzantines have been tied up in military skirmishes with foes such as the Persians, Franks, and Seljuk Turks. Join us as Tom leads the gang through the highs and lows in the story of the Eastern Christian empire as we continue marching towards the dawn of the Crusades. We're always proud to be your favorite podcast to do laundry to. Thanks for listening! Support the show

Welcome to Islamic History for Chumps!Wait a second, that's not right. *checks notes*Welcome to week two of our long, loooong journey into the Crusades This week we'll discuss the second major character of this era, the Islamic armies. As we'll discuss in the episode, it's not quite as simple as discussing one Islamic group, as they existed across a wide spectrum ethnically, theologically, and culturally. So we've got a lot of ground to cover.Be sure to head back to Episode 110 to hear the first episode of our Crusades series if you haven't already. And drop us a comment if you feel like being nice! Support the show

OUR CRUSADES SERIES IS HERE. They said we'd never do it. They said it couldn't happen. And they were almost right. Today, we set the stage for the massive undertaking of exploring the Crusades. We begin with an exploration of one of the three major characters in the Crusades, the Western European church.We'll begin with a quick recap of the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and blitz through a few hundred years up to the fateful call-to-arms made by Pope Urban II in 1095.It's a doozy. But we're psyched to explore this with you guys. And check us out on Youtube!Support the show

Happy New Years, Chump Nation!We haven't forgotten about the Crusades, trust us. But we wanted to bring in the new year with a good friend of ours, the mind behind Inspiring Philosophy, Mike Jones. We walk through his insights on the current state of Islam, whether secularism is working out for the Western world, and how apologetics can still work in 2026.It's a good time! We promise you'll enjoy it. Thank you again to Mike and the Inspiring Philosophy team for all the sweet work that you do. Thank you so much for listening, we love you guys! Support the show

Rarely is one so compelled to gaze upward than when they enter the majestic Sistine Chapel. Featuring historically renowned art pieces such as the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgment, the Pope's private chapel is a spectacle that millions travel to witness every year. But did you know how it was built? Or how Michelangelo got roped into (sort of against his will) painting his now-famous ceiling? It's a pretty sweet story, and we're excited to share it with you. Join John, Tom, and Tay as we share the interesting lore behind Rome's beloved residence. Also, we'll talk about our Christmas gifts (shoutout to humidifiers) and whether zen gardens are kosher or not. Support the show

Merry Christmas, Chump Nation! Each year, we find ourselves immersed in traditions that range from decorating a tree, hanging large socks over the fireplace, and preparing for the arrival of a magical Arian puncher. But where do all of these traditions come from? Join us as we explore the vast range of Christmas Day customs and the different nooks and crannies of church histories where they originate from. And to any Puritans that may be listening today: give Christmas a chance. It's a lot of fun, we promise. Thanks for listening, friends! Support the show

Bienvenidos, amigos. It's the 16th century. The Aztec Empire has recently fallen at the hands of the Spanish conquistadores. Colonialism is spreading throughout New Spain, and with it, a rise of the Spanish faith: Roman Catholicism. The Native population is apprehensive, as they deal with the social collapse of their civilization and the health crises of crippling diseases. Until one December morning, when a humble Aztec peasant is walking to Mass, and sees something that will change the course of Mexican history forever. Join us as we discuss Our Lady of Guadalupe, and share our (hopefully humble) Protestant takes. Also Taylor confesses that he doesn't know anything about technology, while John shares about how he's the best hospice chaplain in town. Support the show

We all knew this day would come. For many of our friends in the Baptist tradition, there is no competition as to who the greatest Baptist is to grace the pulpit. Only a battle for second place. The gold medal belongs to Charles Spurgeon, the cigar smoking, quip quipping, Bible preaching, pulpit shaking, rootinest, tootinest cowboy in the wild, wild west. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, often known as the Prince of Preachers, built a reputation for bold, spirited teaching in his decades of service to Metropolitan Tabernacle Baptist Church in London, England. Join us as we discuss his conversion, transition to ministry, and the harsh trials that he endured through his life of service. Also, we'll talk about Taylor's love of acronyms, and we'll geek out about how excited we were to see everyone's Spotify Wrapped from last year. Support the show

I remember when AI was just a quirky little app that we used to laugh about. Now AI is everywhere: from your aunt's posts on Facebook to the suspiciously well-written essays turned in by terrible 6th graders. The influence of AI is growing, and the question of its morality is becoming more and more relevant. So what do you think, is AI opening Pandora's box? Or is it a new tool to be honed for the Gospel? We'll share our thoughts on the pod, you share yours in the comments! We'd love to hear from ya. Support the show

It's a story as American as apple pie: a man known for his good morals is accused of chopping down a tree, and would one day lead a great nation. Oh wait, you think I'm talking about George Washington? WRONG! This is Saint Boniface, my friend. Often called the Apostle to the Germans, Boniface was a monk, preacher, missionary, and yes, sometimes a destroyer of pagan idols. Join Thom, Taylor, and John as we discuss our new favorite lumberjack. Side note:  As I'm typing this, I'm growing more and more paranoid that my writing might sound like AI. This is such an awful time to be a creative. I wonder if we'll have anything to say about that for a bonus episode this week...?Support the show

If you live in America, chances are you've been spoon fed Pilgrim lore since you were but a wee lad. You've likely heard the tales of adventurous English men and women braving the seas, fist bumping Indians, and wearing terrible clothing. But what's the real story? What would possess these people to brave a journey that would take them weeks, and possibly even cost them their lives? What was so bad that they needed to leave? And what did they believe was waiting for them? We'll discuss all that and more for this THANKSGIVING special episode! Speaking of thanksgiving, WE are giving thanks to YOU, dear listener. Thank you for being such cool pals. Let us know what your least favorite thanksgiving side is! We hope you have a wonderful holiday! Support the show

If you were around for this story in 2018, you remember that it was everywhere. An American missionary is killed after attempting to make contact with an isolated tribe that lives on a small island in the Bay of Bengal. Criticism was immediate. Swarms of news outlets condemned the man for resurrecting age-old imperialist tactics in defying the tribe's desire for autonomy. Many Christians defended the action, citing the significance of the Great Commission and defending his desire to see lost souls be saved. But we know what you're thinking...what do the fearless leaders of Chump Nation think???Okay in all seriousness, this is a great episode. And we'd love to hear your comments, so let us know what you think! Support the show

From Arianism to Modalism, Nestorianism to Docetism, we've hit our fair share of heresies on this show. (By talking about them, not by committing them, hopefully)So for this week's episode, we'll be discussing how the church has historically dealt with the "h-word." We'll also consider, from our own ministry perspectives, the optimal way to address heresy in a modern context. Also, Taylor learns something new about Colorado! And we discuss whether Estes Park is real or whether it's secretly a region in Narnia. Also also, it did not register at all for us that this was our 100th episode. We wish we had mentioned it, or bought a cake or something. 100 episodes! What a cool thing. Thanks for being here, gang. Let us know in the comments: how do you define heresy? Support the show

Note: We love that some of our listeners enjoy our podcast with their entire families. However, this episode contains some content that may be a little inappropriate for the little ones.“I dedicate this edit to all my friends who couldn’t watch The Smurfs because they were allegedly satanic.” — Our editor, RayWe know—we’re a few days late for Halloween. But bear with us.The Satanic Panic was a period of widespread fear that underground Satanic groups were orchestrating a conspiracy involving child abuse and ritualistic sacrifice. For years, police departments issued public service announcements, psychiatric professionals voiced their concern, and, of course, the Christian church sounded the alarm.There was only one problem: there was zero evidence to support those claims.So, what do we chalk this up to? Silly, superstitious Christians? Or something far more nuanced and complex (probably that one, tbh).Join the guys as we unpack this fascinating and controversial era. Also, we end up talking a surprising amount about Dungeons & Dragons—but we promise, it’s all relevant to the topic!Support the show

The world is obsessed with hot takes. Sometimes to an unhealthy degree, we think. So for today's episode of Chump Talk, we're going to be cracking open the vault of spicy takes and sharing them with the world. The only thing was, to keep things fun and fancy free, we opted to keep them on the milder side. Save the scorched earth comments and heretical potshots for your *second* favorite podcast. And who knows, maybe we'll take the gloves off in a future episode? *shrug emoji*Today we're just here to talk about whether HOA's are actually good for the neighborhood or if Chris Tomlin deserves more credit than he gets. Let us know which takes you agreed with and which ones you thought were truly, truly awful. We're here for it. Support the show

They said we'd never make it. Our series on the apostles ends with easily the most impactful of them all: the man himself, Paul. Author of 251 books of the bible, survivor of many attempted murders, the world's greatest evangelist. But what does history say happened to him where the New Testament is silent? Was he killed in Rome under Nero's persecution? Or did something way LAMER happen? Let's unpack it. Also, the boys talk about our favorite hometown dinner spots (special shoutout to our beautiful listeners from the Old Pueblo), and whether it's worth it to live in California. It's probably not. Also, TODAY is the last day to vote for our new series! Midnight tonight, the ballots are closed, and we'll see what won (either the crusades, the great awakenings, or the fall of Rome). Do your duty, patriot! We love you guys. Support the show

Thomas is BACK, BABY. It's about dang time. But also, we're wrapping up our series on the Apostles with two of the minor-est boys in the bunch, Thaddeus and Bartholomew. While the biblical narrative doesn't offer us much on these two lads, history has no shortage of legends about their lives. Where did they go? Were they martyred or did they die of natural causes? Also, let's listen to more chump-inspired poetry for our kind and generous listeners. Don't forget to vote on our new series coming up, and participate in our giveaway on social media! Support the show

For a long-time follower of Jesus, Thomas really got the short stick when it came to nicknames. But that's okay. He redeemed his doubting ways and was named with the rest of the disciples even after Jesus ascended to heaven. But here's a question-- what did he do after that? Did he go to Persia? Or perhaps, even farther???Join us as we explore the fascinating legacy of the Apostle Thomas and his missionary travels. We will also share many of the stories attributed to him throughout church history, and boy, some of these are really doozies. Support the show

How's that for a title, huh? We heard we're supposed to be better at hooking people. But seriously, few of the apostles get as wild of a post-Acts story as John. Supposedly boiled in oil, miraculously survived, and then banished to a tiny island where he wrote Revelation. Supposedly.So let's see what the history books have to say about ol' John the Beloved. Also, we'll talk a little bit about Matthias, who was surprisingly a LOT more interesting to the early church than you'd think!And don't forget to VOTE for our next series (details in the show, you can skip to the chapter if you prefer)!!Support the show

Few things are worse than living in the shadow of a really successful older sibling. We imagine the siblings (or cousins, right Catholics?) of Jesus probably felt that way. Imagine being young Gregory of Nyssa, the brother of four siblings who would go on to receive sainthood. And two of them are your oldest brother and sister. What a nightmare. For Gregory, living a life of spiritual adventure like his relatives was far from his mind. But of course, the Lord had other plans. Join us this week as we cover the last of the Cappadocian Fathers, Gregory of Nyssa. We'll discuss how his theological contributions and early mystical writings still bless the church to this day. Also Taylor talks about a rap group that he and John were a part of, and Thomas tells a joke from the Babylon Bee. Support the show

Let's be honest-- each of the Gospel authors clearly had their favorite disciples to write about. Lots of Peter yapping, a little bit of Thomas doubting, a little bit of John being beloved. But what about the other guys?Well, one of those 'other guys' is the apostle Philip, and he's our focus for this week. Join us as we try to uncover once again, what happened to this disciple that the Bible didn't say? Was he martyred? Where did his travels take him?Also, are we any better at writing haikus on the spot? No, the answer is no. But if you want your own personal haiku, don't forget to hit up the link below. Any amount you provide is wonderfully appreciated. Support the show

As we comb through history's ranks of church fathers, we tend to take something for granted. Many of these people had a natural desire for leadership. Augustine, Athanasius, Antony, they all had a natural penchant to address the crowds and stir up courage. This was not the case with our next Cappadocian Father, Gregory of Nazianzus. Gregory had a monastic soul, he longed for a quiet and peaceful life of prayer and contemplation. This was not, however, the plan that the Lord had for him. Join us as we discuss the 2nd of the Cappadocian Heavyweights, our guy Greg. And check out our episode on Basil the Great if you haven't already!IG: @churchhistory4chumps Support the show

Do you know what happens when you combine the trauma of growing up as a PK (pastor's kid, of course) with the Game of Thrones-esque violence of the Roman Empire?Well, you sort of get Julian the Apostate. Born in the era of Constantine's great conversion to Christianity, Julian was the last emperor not to be wooed by the Empire's new religious convictions. Raised on the classics and fascinated by a mix of cult religion and philosophy, Julian decided it was time to give paganism one last try. Also, the guys reminisce a little about how cool it was during the mixtape era of sermons, and how much life can humble a young guy in ministry. Be sure to give us a Follow and leave a review if you can! Thanks for listening! Support the show

We asked for Q's, and you guys delivered. So now we're back with the A's. Who's our favorite heretic? Are we Calvinist, Arminian, or something else? Do we have any advice for someone considering pastoral ministry?We answer those questions and many, many more. As fun as this episode was to record, we honestly just enjoy any chance we get to interact with the folks who listen to our show. We really, genuinely appreciate you guys. Support the show

We're back in the 4th century, baby. And it's time we finally talk about the Cappadocian Fathers. Two brothers and one lifelong friend, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus were three of the most pivotal figures in the history of Eastern Christianity. And today, we begin with Basil. During a thyme of heretical emperors, he was a voice of Nicene wisdom. When the east was peppered with poor and needy souls, he provided the sage hand of charity. His words with salted with discernment, and his actions seasoned with grace. Basil was awesome. This is a fun episode. Also, is it a flex to have steak for lunch? What if you cook it in the air fryer?Also also, Thomas and John are pretty mean to Taylor in the first ten minutes of this episode, so Taylor if you're reading this, we love ya bud. Support the show

This week, we're taking a short break on our early church series, mostly because Taylor put "I get to lead an episode on Baptist missions every once in a while" in his contract when he joined the show :(Isaac McCoy was a Baptist missionary in the early 19th century who endeavored to bring the Gospel to the American Indians that lived throughout the Midwest. Historically, he's known for attempting to form a westward colony for the Native Americans to relocate to. Join the boys as we explore the lasting impact of his evangelistic efforts, and how modern missionaries can learn from our spiritual ancestors. And things miiight have gotten a little heated, but it's all love between brothers on the chumpcast. Support the show

Imagine you're writing a letter to the President (or Emperor, depending on what era you live in).Point by point, you bring up each idol of that day and age, and refute it thoroughly. Then you explain, it clear and compassionate terms, that the reader should submit themselves to the God of Christianity, repent of their sins, and commit to a Christian life. Actually, the more I talk about it, the less crazy it sounds. But this is essentially what we see in the 2nd Century document known as the Epistle to Diognetus, one of church history's FIRST EVER written apologies of the Christian faith. Join Jonathan Taylor Thomas as we crack open another tall can of church history. Support the show

Persecutions are tough. I think we can all agree with that. But an issue that doesn't get as much attention is what the church does after a time of persecution. Specifically with the Christians who may or may not have caved under the threat of harm or violence. The 3rd Century in Rome (as we've discussed on the show before) was a tough time to be a Christian, and while the persecution wasn't long, the problems that it created for the church definitely were. Enter St. Cyprian, a beloved leader from the city of Carthage. Not only will he be called to stand strong in the face of persecution, he will also be tasked with providing wisdom and direction for the church when factions form and threaten to tear the church in two. Also. We tell a lot of jokes in this. Definitely skip the banter if you're not a fan. We think you will be. But you might not be. And we love you still. Also today is John Simon's birthday! Show our boi some love. IG: @churchhistory4chumpsSupport the show

For the past few weeks, we've been covering the stories of the Apostles after the biblical narrative concludes. And...we can be honest. This series has gone over like watching a jaded old magician spoiling a handful of classic magic tricks in front of an unsuspecting child's birthday party.But sometimes that's just how history is. But what about Saint Peter? We all know the story: at his hour of martyrdom, he begs his oppressors to be crucified upside down because he was unworthy of a death so similar to his Lord.But was it TRUE? Tune in to find out. And hey, in case no one's said it to you yet today, you look great. I don't know what it is. You're just really glowing. Support the show

The lore surrounding the lives of the Apostles never ceases to amaze. People getting boiled alive (and surviving). Dudes getting thrown off the top of the Temple. Crazy stuff. But what if most of these crazy things are actually false? And what if nobody had a cool martyrdom? And what if Santa Claus is a FRAUD?Well, you'll just have to listen to find out. Join Taylor and John as we continue our journey through the lives of the apostles to see what history has to say about their fates after the close of the biblical narrative. This week, we've got the brother of Simon Peter, Andrew. New podcast alert: Gout of My Mind Support the show

When you think of the persecution of the Christians in the early church, it doesn't take long for the mind to naturally think of the Colosseum. But how involved was the Roman Colosseum in the practice of executing Christians in the first 4 centuries after the life of Christ? And what about the other stadiums built around that time? Join us as Tommy leads us through a rabbit trail for the ages. Also, the guys discuss what brands they're wearing (weird, I know), and whether or not martyrdom by lion would have been preferable or not. Support the show