Our Christian Heritage

A lawyer in Communist Romania - representing the most heinous crime imaginable: Bible smuggling. The Communist dictator sends an assassin to eliminate her. And then?

Dr. Erwin Lutzer, a Canadian by birth, shares his perspective on the 250th Birthday of America

Jeff Stewart was once labeled a "delinquent child." His future seemed destined for failure. Until his high school graduation when he received a note from his grandfather that challenged him to understand the true meaning of a successful life

The Munich Agreement illustrates appeasement's failure: Hitler exploited weakness, promises without character proved empty, and Churchill showed that truth often requires standing alone against the majority. Lessons in courage, integrity, vigilance.

At Munich's Feldherrnhalle, Pastor Lutzer recalls Hitler's oath-bound followers, Bonhoeffer's warning, and the church's compromise, urging us to learn from history and pledge ultimate allegiance to Christ alone.

Pastor Lutzer stands near Hitler's Eagle's Nest, reflecting on Nazi history. His video series explores why it happened, whether it could recur, and encourages viewers to remember and learn from the past.

The tour revealed enduring lessons: the church's imperfection, the power of economics and law, the danger of ideology, and above all, the necessity of personal repentance and transformation through Christ.

In Potsdam, Pastor Lutzer reflects on the 1945 conference where world leaders reshaped Europe, reminding us that leadership decisions carry lasting consequences—affecting millions for good or for evil.

At Wannsee, Nazi leaders planned the Holocaust's logistics, coordinating mass murder across Europe. Pastor Lutzer warns that beauty can mask evil, and conformity over conscience enables atrocities—history's lessons must prevent repetition.

Pastor Lutzer in Berlin honors Stauffenberg and Bonhoeffer, highlighting faith-driven courage, resistance to evil, and sacrifice for justice, showing that true faith sometimes demands moral action over personal safety.

On July 20, 1944, Stauffenberg and others risked everything to oppose Hitler, sacrificing their lives for justice and moral principle, reminding us that some values surpass life itself.

At Berlin University, Pastor Lutzer reflects on Karl Marx's enduring influence, contrasts it with Christ's truth, and introduces his book The Eclipse of God on philosophy's impact and living amid God's eclipse.

Pastor Lutzer reflects in Berlin's book-burning square, warning how censorship and misuse of freedom can destroy liberty. From Nazi Germany to today, he urges Christians to learn from history and guard freedom wisely.

Germany's three Reichs show cycles of empire and nationalism. Bonhoeffer warned against Christian nationalism, reminding believers to prioritize the gospel above pride, politics, or flags, a lesson still vital today.

A stop on the Underground Railroad, Wheaton College is prominent in church history. Join Professor Greg Quiggle as we delve into Wheaton, Moody, and greater Chicago's Christian Heritage.

Randy sits with Jim Koehler and Myron Lloyd to discuss the legacy of Williams Jennings Bryan, who lead the Prohibition Movement and prosecuted the Scopes Trial.

The Berlin Wall showed that true freedom is reflected in a society's barriers: walls built to keep people in reveal control, not protection, exposing the gap between claims of democracy and reality.

Ordinary people can commit extraordinary evil when culture or state overrides conscience. History warns us to guard our hearts, remain morally vigilant, and learn from past horrors to prevent repetition.

Randy Melchert and Dr. James Spencer continue the conversation regarding D.L. Moody.

Pastor Lutzer describes Berlin's Cold War division, the Berlin Wall's construction to stop East Germans fleeing, the political manipulation used to justify it, and emphasizes learning from history to prevent communism's dangers today.

Three-time Democrat Nominee for President, William Jennings Bryan, was born in the small town of Salem, Illinois. Myron Lloyd and Jim Koehler from the William Jennings Bryan Boyhood Home discuss his life on Our Christian Heritage.

At Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie, crossing into East Germany revealed stark contrasts: freedom versus communist oppression. The experience showed the value of liberty and the heavy restrictions imposed under totalitarian rule.

The Reichstag fire shows how crises can erode freedoms. Faced with hardship, people may trade liberty for security, enabling dictatorships. Vigilance is essential to protect both moral and civil principles.

Berlin's Holocaust Memorial evokes fear and reflection on Jewish suffering, built over Hitler's bunker. It teaches that ordinary people can commit evil when a culture loses its moral compass.

On location in Paris, Randy Melchert interviews Pastor Emmanuel Bozzi on the key individuals in the French Reformation

At Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, Pastor Lutzer recalls historic triumphs and division, then points to Jesus' teaching: the broad gate to destruction versus the narrow gate to life, inviting all through the gospel.

Our Christian Heritage goes to Northfield, Massachusetts to D.L. Moody's home. Dr. James Spencer of the Moody Center tells us who was D.L. Moody.

From Hitler's Nuremberg podium, Pastor Lutzer recalls Nazi deception, warning such evil can reoccur. He urges moral courage to resist destructive agendas, even at personal cost, praying for strength and faithfulness.

At Nuremberg courthouse, Pastor Lutzer stresses transcendent divine law above human courts, warns of redefining justice, and highlights amazing grace—that even repentant Nazis found forgiveness through Christ's gospel of redemption and hope.

In Part 2 of our conversation, Steve and Matt McCully explain how their father, martyred 70 years ago in Ecuador, has affected their lives.

Steve and Matt McCully recount their father, Ed McCully's life story. National oratory champion, student body president at Wheaton, and would-be lawyer, until a change of heart led him to martyrdom as he reached the unreached tribes of Ecuador.

Pastor Erwin Lutzer, speaking at Nuremberg Stadium, reflects on Nazi rallies, Christian nationalism, church-state relations, America's role, moral issues, human rights, and urges prioritizing the gospel above politics while preserving freedom.

What was it like growing up in the Jones family? Where did Bob Jones University come from? Bob Jones III, Chancellor of Bob Jones University shares stories of the founding of the school, and its impact on the world in this episode of Our Christian Heritage

Dr. David Saxon, professor of Church History at Maranatha Baptist University, tells Randy about the life of William Kiffin, a key Baptist forefather who used his riches for God's glory

Dr. David Saxon, professor of Church History at Maranatha Baptist University, tells the story of Andrew Fuller, an English Baptist pastor and missions supporter, to Randy Melchert

Phillip Bliss and his wife were headed from their home in Rome, Pennsylvania, to Chicago to reunite with the evangelist D. L. Moody. On December 29th, 1876, their train, the Pacific Express was crossing a trestle bridge near Ashtabula, Ohio. The bridge collapsed, and the train cars fell into the ravine. In that day, each train car had a stove to heat the vehicle, and with the fall the train cars eventually caught fire. While Bliss initially survived, he went for his wife, and neither survived. This was the greatest loss of life in a train crash to date, and known to history as the Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster. The human remains were moved to Chestnut Grove cemetery and buried in a mass grave. In his baggage was found the words to the hymn, I Will Sing of My Redeemer and His Wondrous Love to Me, set to music after his death.

At Wartburg Castle, Martin Luther translated the New Testament in 11 weeks, shaping German language and faith. His work, born in struggle and conviction, powerfully advanced Scripture's accessibility and influence worldwide.

Randy Melchert interviews Dr. David Saxon from Maranatha Baptist University on the life of John Knox, the Scottish Reformer who stood up to Mary Queen of Scots

What messages did Bradford have inscribed into his headstone?

In Wittenberg, Luther burned Pope Leo's papal bull at the Elster Gate, defying the papacy, defending Scripture over tradition, inspiring students, and igniting the Reformation, ultimately splitting the church.

Melanchthon, Luther's assistant, systematized Reformation theology, authored the Augsburg Confession, clarified doctrine, balanced courage with diplomacy, and showed that even great leaders need wise, faithful partners to succeed.

Randy Melchert interviews Dr. David Saxon of Maranatha Baptist University on the life of William Wilberforce, the British politician who ended the slave trade

Dr. David Saxon, professor of Church History at Maranatha Baptist University, tells the story of Obadiah Holmes, a colonial American Baptist, who was whipped for the crime of preaching without a license.

Randy Melchert interviews Dr. Terry White of the the Winona History Center at Grace College on Billy Sunday, baseball player turned evangelist

In Wittenberg, Pastor Lutzer highlights the Judensau sculpture, reflecting historic Christian anti-Jewish hatred, Luther's harsh writings, and modern church efforts seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity with the Jewish community.

Our Christian Heritage goes "On Location" with Randy Melchert to Whitewater, WI to see the grave of James Delaney, an Irishman who was converted in Burma, influenced by Adoniram Judson, and became a churchplanter in Wisconsin territory!

In 19th-century England, James and Amelia Taylor famously prayed, 'Dear God, if you should give us a son, grant that he may work for you in China.' Their son, James Hudson Taylor, would go on to become the most influential missionary of the modern missionary movement. Author Vance Christie tells Hudson Taylor's story to Randy Melchert.

Pastor Lutzer highlights a Wittenberg church painting by Cranach, illustrating the Reformation: Catholics neglect the vineyard, while Luther and Reformers remove weeds, nurturing the gospel of Christ for believers.

Come with Randy Melchert to Franklin, Kentucky, as we learn about the man who wrote beloved hymns like "O To Be Like Thee," "Living for Jesus," and "Great is Thy Faithfulness"

In 19th-century England, James and Amelia Taylor famously prayed, 'Dear God, if you should give us a son, grant that he may work for you in China.' Their son, James Hudson Taylor, would go on to become the most influential missionary of the modern missionary movement. Author Vance Christie tells Hudson Taylor's story to Randy Melchert.