Giants of the Faith - A Christian History Podcast

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Send us feedbackI mentioned in the first Arminius episode that we might cover the Eighty Years' War at some point in a bonus episode. That point is today. I hope you enjoy this brief diversion from our typical subjects.

Send us feedback Today, in episode 86, we are continuing our trek through the Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals by Intervarsity Press. Today we are spending time with a figure who does not always get the attention he deserves, yet his influence on the church in Scotland and on the broader Reformed world is profound. He can be found on page 422 of the Biographical Dictionary. We are talking about Andrew Melville, a man whose courage, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture helped shape the identity of Presbyterianism for generations.

Send us feedbackThis Christmas 2025 episode will focus on the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is this year's Christmas episode, of course, because Longfellow wrote the memorable poem Christmas Bells - which later became the Christmas hymn I Heard the Bells.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is one of America's most cherished poets, a writer whose moral vision, gentle piety, and lyrical craft helped shape the cultural and spiritual imagination of a nation. His life, marked by both literary achievement and deep personal sorrow, gave birth to works that continue to resonate strongly with Christians and lovers of Christmas traditions around the world. Among these, his poem Christmas Bells is the most enduring, reflecting Psalm 23's truth that faith can persist even through the darkest valleys of suffering.

Send us feedbackThis episode concludes our three part look at Jacobus Arminius as part of the larger series of episodes taken from Inter-Varsity Press' Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals. In this episode we're discussing Arminianism today. If you haven't listened to the preceding two episodes you should go do that now. 

Send us feedbackToday we're continuing our look at Arminius and the storms that followed his death. He died of tuberculosis in 1609 but, of course, his impact continued, and continues, long after his death. Specifically, we're going to focus on the Synod of Dort, one of the most important, and perhaps least understood, events in the history of Christian doctrine. We'll look at what Dort was, why it happened, and why Christians today — often unknowingly — are still living in the shadow of its decisions.

Send us feedbackToday we are continuing our random march through Inter-Varsity Press' Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals. My son pulled random number 18, which lead us to page 18 in the book. Page 18 takes us to Jacobus Arminius - the founder of the Remonstrant Movement and the arch-enemy of Calvinists everywhere. That's a bit of a joke but he is the founder of one of the two primary (sorry Molinists) views on the Doctrines of Grace. He was also a pastor, a scholar, a peacemaker, and ultimately, a man who sought to defend the goodness and justice of God at all costs — even when it cost him dearly.

Send us feedbackThis is Episode 81 and the second in out series of episodes based on the Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals from Inter-Varsity Press. If you remember from the last episode I'm using a random number generator to choose a number from three to 763 and that determines what page to check to find the subject of the episode. It's kind of like a modern casting of the lots. My son Zach chose random number 42 and that has led today's episode to focus on someone wholly unknown to me - early American Evangelical Lyman Beecher. 

Send us feedbackThis season we're doing something a little different. This season will consist of mostly shorter episodes with inspiration drawn from the Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals by Mark Noll and published by Intervarsity Press. BDE features brief biographies, ordered chronologically, of over 400 evangelicals from John Wycliff to the modern day spread across 816 pages. My plan for each episode is to use a random number generator to select a page and then deliver a brief biography of whomever was randomly selected. This is something of an experiment and we'll have to see how it goes.

Send us feedbackThis is a special Christmas bonus episode featuring Charles Dickens. Dickens is in many ways responsible for the modern celebration of Christmas - for good or ill. I hope you enjoy this look at this life.

Send us feedbackToday's show is about one of the titans of medieval thought - John Duns Scotus. Scotus was one of the most influential scholastics - right behind Thomas Aquinas. In this episode I'm going to go off into the weeds a bit to explain some of the details of the medieval school of thought known as Scholasticism and other topics. Hopefully you find the side-trips helpful.https://whytheology.wordpress.com/2012/10/24/church-history-minute-john-duns-scotus/https://iep.utm.edu/john-duns-scotus/https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05194a.htmhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/23801483

Send us feedbackCornelius Van Til is one of the foremost apologists of the 20th Century. He developed the strand of apologetics known as presuppositional apologetics. His influence on modern Christianity is undeniable.RESOURCESNew Netherlands Institute: https://www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/history-and-heritage/dutch_americans/cornelius-van-tilBanner of Truth: https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2001/cornelius-van-til/Got Questions? https://www.gotquestions.org/presuppositional-apologetics.htmlTable Talk Magazine: https://tabletalkmagazine.com/posts/christianity-and-van-tillianism-2019-08/

Send us feedbackHello and welcome to episode 77 of the Giants of the Faith podcast. My name is Robert Daniels and I am the host of this show where we look back at Christians from the past that have made an impact for the kingdom of God. Today we're looking at the life of Scottish missionary John Paton.RESOURCESLigonier: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/missionary-john-patonAll Nations Interational: https://allnations.international/blog/the-story-of-john-paton-whose-god-made-rain-come-from-the-earthWholesome Words: https://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/biopaton2.html

Send us feedbackIn today's episode we're looking at influential modern theologian Karl Barth. This is my third try at writing this episode because I've struggled to be able to present Barth in a way that both appreciates his impact on the 20th century church while dealing with the problems in his personal life. So, to avoid rubber-stamping Barth's status as a Giant of the Faith but to also cover such an influential figure, I'm bumping him to bonus episode status. This might limit the reach of this episode but it will at least assuage my conscience.RESOURCESThe Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/theologians-karl-barth-adultery/Rod Lampard: https://rodlampard.com/2018/09/06/three-criticisms-of-karl-barth/The Torrey Gazette: https://torreygazette.com/blog/2017/6/27/all-the-barth-questionsEvangelical Orphan: https://evangelicalorphan.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/meet-karl-barth/Athanasian Reformed: https://growrag.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/some-of-what-i-know-of-karl-barth-off-the-top-a-self-promoted-test-of-sorts/Princeton Theological Seminary: https://barth.ptsem.edu/charlotte-von-kirschbaum-and-karl-barth/

Send us feedbackHello, and welcome to episode 76 of the Giants of the Faith podcast. This is the podcast where we look at the lives of Christians from history and examine the impact that they have had for the Kingdom of Christ. I'm your host, Robert Daniels, and in today's episode we're focused on one of the Church Fathers, John Chrysostom.RESOURCESOrthodox Christianity: https://orthochristian.com/43102.htmlGot Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/John-Chrysostom.htmlChristian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/john-chrysostom-did-you-know

Send us feedback This is the podcast where we profile Christians from throughout the age of the church and look at their impact on the world and our shared faith. In this episode we're profiling the Anglican Bishop J.C. Ryle, who's commentaries and works are still in print and in wide use today.

Send us feedbackDionysius Exiguus, whose name would be translated today as "Dennis the Humble," was a 6th-century monk, scholar, and mathematician. While he may not be as well-known as some other figures from antiquity, his contributions to the world are profound and enduring. 

Send us feedbackWelcome to Giants of the Faith, a podcast where we explore some of the great figures in Christian history. I'm your host, Robert Daniels, and today we're going to talk about Mark Buntain, a Canadian evangelist and missionary who founded a hospital and a feeding program in Calcutta, India. This episode is for Tim Svoboda, who won the graphic novel contest from a few months ago by suggesting Buntain. 

Send us feedback Today, we will focus on the life and work of John Mason Neale, an Anglican priest, scholar, and hymnwriter who translated and adapted many ancient and medieval hymns into English. My initial thought was to relegate Neale to a bonus episode hitched to Episode 71 and Wenceslaus. But when I saw that he was also responsible for the popular English translations of "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" I had to give him the full episode treatment. Those two songs, along with "Good King Wenceslas" are some of my favorite classic Christmas songs so I really enjoyed learning about Neale.RESOURCESHymnology Archive. https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/john-mason-neale.The Feast Days: https://thefeastdays.com/0807

Send us feedbackMerry Christmas! I'm recording this episode in December 2023 and Christmas is fast approaching. So, in honor of this festive season, today's episode will focus on the history and stories surrounding two men that have become part of our Christmas traditions in the West. One, Boniface, is most famous as the bringer of the Christmas tree. The other, Wenceslaus, for his noble act of kindness.RESOURCES BONIFACE SOURCESFranciscan Media: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-boniface/Fordham University: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/willibald-boniface.aspChristianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/martyrs/boniface.htmlChristianapostles.com: https://christianapostles.com/st-boniface/Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/st-boniface-and-the-christmas-tree  WENCESLAUS SOURCESFranciscan Media: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-wenceslaus/Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wenceslas-I-prince-of-BohemiaSt. Wenceslaus Catholic Church: https://stwenc-ic.com/about-us/history-of-the-saint/3-history-of-st-wenceslausSt. Wenceslaus Parish: http://www.stwenc.org/St_Wenceslaus/St-wencelsaus-story.htmlSong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQVUMG6LZGM

Send us feedbackThis is part two of two of a look at the life of famed evangelist Billy Graham. In part one we looked at Graham's early life through his first major evangelistic campaign in Los Angeles. Today we'll look at the rest of his life. I feel like I should say that I'm not covering everything that Graham did in his life. He was a busy guy. There are plenty of biographies out there if you are interested in learning more about him.RESOURCES The Billy Graham Library: https://billygrahamlibrary.org/blog-billy-graham-and-the-florida-bible-institute/ iDisciple: https://www.idisciple.org/post/the-impact-of-one Christian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/issue/billy-graham Billygraham.org: https://billygraham.org/about/biographies/billy-graham/ The Billy Graham Library: https://billygrahamlibrary.org/billy-graham/ Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/evangelistsandapologists/billy-graham.html My Hero: https://myhero.com/billy-graham The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/interview-billy-grahams-best-biographer/ Inspirational Christians: https://www.inspirationalchristians.org/evangelists/reverend-billy-graham-ordinary-man-extraordinary-call/ Christianity.com: https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/mordecai-ham-outspoken-evangelist-11630588.html Aunty Faith: https://auntyfaith.com/2020/09/01/the-biography-of-mordecai-ham-the-southern-revivalist/ Florida Backroads Travel: https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/temple-terrace-florida.html WUSF: https://www.wusf.org/news/2018-02-21/rev-billy-graham-found-evangelical-voice-in-temple-terrace-tampa Christian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/the-modesto-manifesto

Send us feedbackWe've been following the chain of faith from Edward Kimball to DL Moody, then from Moody to Wilbur Chapman and on through Billy Sunday and Mordecai Ham until we've finally reach the man himself, William Franklin Graham. Graham needs little introduction so we'll just jump right into the story.RESOURCESThe Billy Graham Library: https://billygrahamlibrary.org/blog-billy-graham-and-the-florida-bible-institute/iDisciple: https://www.idisciple.org/post/the-impact-of-oneChristian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/issue/billy-grahamBillygraham.org: https://billygraham.org/about/biographies/billy-graham/The Billy Graham Library: https://billygrahamlibrary.org/billy-graham/Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/evangelistsandapologists/billy-graham.htmlMy Hero: https://myhero.com/billy-grahamThe Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/interview-billy-grahams-best-biographer/Inspirational Christians: https://www.inspirationalchristians.org/evangelists/reverend-billy-graham-ordinary-man-extraordinary-call/Christianity.com: https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/mordecai-ham-outspoken-evangelist-11630588.htmlAunty Faith: https://auntyfaith.com/2020/09/01/the-biography-of-mordecai-ham-the-southern-revivalist/Florida Backroads Travel: https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/temple-terrace-florida.htmlWUSF: https://www.wusf.org/news/2018-02-21/rev-billy-graham-found-evangelical-voice-in-temple-terrace-tampa

Send us feedbackThis is a bit of a bonus because I didn't intend to give today's subject the full episode treatment. But after a last-minute change of mind here we are with a short episode focusing on Mordecai Ham, the Kentuckian evangelist who will be the penultimate link in our chain of faith leading up to Billy Graham. Ham was a fundamentalist Baptist - not the kind of guy I would normally want to feature. He was, perhaps, anti-Semitic, certainly racist, anti-Catholic, and prone to all of the worst leanings you can imagine of an IFB leader. But he played a part in this chain of faith so here we are. I present to you this biography of Ham not because of who he was but more because of the impact he had.RESOURCESChristianity.com: https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/mordecai-ham-outspoken-evangelist-11630588.htmlSBC Evangelist: https://www.sbcevangelist.org/mordecai-ham/Garland Landmark Society: https://www.garlandhistorical.org/online-resources/46-articles/satellite-business/100-revivalist-s-fiery-preaching-recalledTruth in History (these guys are nuts): http://truthinhistory.org/the-need-of-the-anglo-israel-truth.htmlSword of the Lord (nuts, as well): https://web.archive.org/web/20160429094255/http://www.swordofthelord.com/biographies/HamMordecai.htm 

Send us feedbackOver the last few episodes we've been building up the chain of faith that leads to Billy Graham. We've seen how the devotion and life of Sunday school teacher Edward Kimball led to the conversion of a young DL Moody. Then how Moody inspired Wilbur Chapman to go into full-time evangelism which led to Chapman giving Billy Sunday his start as an evangelist. And that's where we pick up the chain today as we take a deeper dive into the life of Billy Sunday.RESOURCESChristianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/evangelistsandapologists/billy-sunday.htmlGot Questions?: https://www.gotquestions.org/Billy-Sunday.htmlRomans1015: https://romans1015.com/billysunday/Wholesome Words: https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bsunday3.htmlTravis Agnew: https://www.travisagnew.org/2013/07/22/the-chain-of-events-for-billy-grahams-conversion/

Send us feedbackIn today's episode we're continuing the faith march toward Billy Graham. We started this journey by profiling the travelling salesman Edward Kimball, then the world renowned evangelist DL Moody. Today it's the lesser-known John Wilbur Chapman, a Presbyterian evangelist and pastor who was one of the most influential leaders of the revival movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.RESOURCESWholesome Words: https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bchapman4.htmlCanton Baptist Temple: https://christianhof.org/chapman/Leben: https://leben.us/j-wilbur-chapman-hymnwriter-and-evangelist/American Profile: https://americanprofile.com/articles/wilbur-chapman-evangelist/Ancient-Modern Study Bible: https://www.christianbook.com/nkjv-comfort-ancient-modern-cloth-board/9780785215974/pd/215977?event=ESRCG

Send us feedbackIn today's episode we're continuing the faith march toward Billy Graham. In the last episode we looked at Edward Kimball, the humble Sunday School teacher who led DL Moody to the Lord, and today we're focused on Moody himself. Moody was an American evangelist and publisher who founded the Moody Bible Institute, the Moody Church, and several other ministries that still impact millions of people today. RESOURCESInspirational Christians: https://www.inspirationalchristians.org/evangelists/dwight-l-moody-biography/Wholesome Words: https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biomoody4.htmlChristian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/life-and-times-of-moodyMoody Bible Institute: https://www.moody.edu/about/our-bold-legacy/d-l-moody/Curiosmith: https://curiosmith.com/pages/bible-institute-colportage-association

Send us feedbackOver the next five episodes we're going to be tracing the chain of faith from a little-known Sunday school teacher, Edward Kimball, to the most impactful Christian evangelist of the 20th century, Billy Graham. I hope you enjoy.RESOURCESNew Life Christian Fellowship: https://www.newlife-ct.org/the-newlife-blog/post/who-is-edward-kimballTravis Agnew: https://www.travisagnew.org/2013/07/22/the-chain-of-events-for-billy-grahams-conversion/Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kimball_(teacher)Newspapers.com: https://www.newspapers.com/article/121082799/noted-helper-of-churches-is-dead-edward/Newspapers.com: https://www.newspapers.com/article/120476386/a-modern-moses-edward-kimball-detailed/Google Books: https://books.google.com/books?id=NCpWAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22edward+kimball%22+moody&pg=PA284#v=onepage&q=%22edward%20kimball%22%20moody&f=false

Send us feedbackToday we're going to the Dark Continent to talk about Jove Ejovi Aganbi, a Nigerian pastor, evangelist and educator who played a key role in the growth of Christianity in his country. As is sometimes the case with this podcast I have to warn you that I will struggle with some pronunciations here. I did reach out to an Urhobo group on Facebook for help with pronunciations but as of recording time I have not heard back from them. So if I mangle words badly, forgive me.RESOURCESDictionary of African Christian Biography: https://dacb.org/stories/nigeria/aganbi-jove/Dictionary of African Christian Biography: https://dacb.org/stories/nigeria/ejovi-oboberhie/Walking in Love Ministries of MKP, Inc..: https://walkinginloveministries.org/8-early-eku-history/SIM International: https://www.sim.org/Pew Research: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/04/19/sub-saharan-africa-will-be-home-to-growing-shares-of-the-worlds-christians-and-muslims/

Send us feedbackHello and welcome to Giants of the Faith, the podcast where we explore some of the great figures in Christian history. This is episode 62. I'm your host, Robert Daniels, and today we're going way back to look at the life of Clement of Alexandria, one of the first Christian philosophers and teachers of the church. As with many early fathers, details of Clement's life are scarce but I will do the best I can with what we have.RESOURCESChristianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/evangelistsandapologists/clement-of-alexandria.htmlDictionary of African Christian Biography: https://dacb.org/stories/egypt/clement-of-alex/Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/Clement-of-Alexandria.htmlChristian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/clement-of-alexandria-rich-personEarly Christian Writings: https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/

Send us feedbackToday we're going to talk about Watchman Nee, a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher who worked in China during the 20th century and whose impact is still being felt there today in the rapidly expanding Christian church. Nee was a Chinese Christian who wrote about the normal Christian life, which he believed involved four steps: knowledge of the cross of Christ, reckoning, presenting to God, and walking after the Spirit.RESOURCESThirdmill: https://thirdmill.org/magazine/article.asp/link/hue_mountfort%5ECH.Mountfort.watchman.nee.bio.html/at/Watchman%20Nee%20%281903-1972%29:%20A%20Biographical%20StudyChristianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1975/may-9/footnotes-sharper-focus-on-watchman-nee.htmlResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297301999_The_Theological_Anthropology_of_Watchman_Nee_In_the_Context_of_Taoist_TraditionReformed Perspectives: http://reformedperspectives.org/articles/hue_mountfort/CH.Mountfort.watchman.nee.bio.html.Dwell Community Church: https://dwellcc.org/learning/essays/watchman-nee-and-house-church-movement-china

Send us feedbackWe've finished our 10 episode series on hymn writers and today we are going to talk about Matthew Henry, a British Nonconformist minister and author who wrote one of the most famous and influential biblical commentaries of all time. If you don't know him from his commentaries, you might know him from this famous quote: The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved. That's a beautiful sentiment and does much to demonstrate the character of this godly man.RESOURCESBanner of Truth: https://banneroftruth.org/us/about/banner-authors/matthew-henry/#:~:text=He%20began%20work%20on%20his,Henry's%20own%20notes%20and%20writings.Bible Study Tools: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/Bible Portal: https://bibleportal.com/commentary/mhcMatthewHenry.org https://www.matthewhenry.org/about/who-is-matthew-henry/Quaker.org: https://quaker.org/the-inner-light/Challies: https://www.challies.com/articles/the-puritans-matthew-henry/Intro Music: Country Strumstick Mountain Hop, by Andy Slater

Send us feedbackThis is episode 59, the final episode of our focus on  the hymnists. Today we’re going to talk about Charlotte Elliott, a hymn writer who wrote one of the most beloved hymns of all time: Just As I Am.RESOURCESChristian Study Library: https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/just-i-am-%E2%80%A6-life-charlotte-elliottConservapedia: https://www.conservapedia.com/Charlotte_ElliottWomen of Christianity: https://womenofchristianity.com/biographical-sketch-of-charlotte-elliot/Spurgeon.org: https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/blog-entries/strength-amidst-suffering-lessons-from-the-life-of-charlotte-elliott/The Bright Forever: http://thebrightforever.comIntro Music: Country Strumstick Mountain Hop, by Andy Slater

Send us feedbackToday we’re going to talk about Horatio Spafford, the author of the famous hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”. As we'll see, Spafford went off the rails in his later life and, so, he's relegated to a Bonus Episode as we wind down are focus on the great hymn writers. This is probably going to stand as the longest episode in season 4 and I had to trim a lot of crazy stuff from it just to keep the episode to a reasonable length. So if you are interested go check out the source articles, particularly Leben, that I've linked in the show notes.RESOURCESBethel Church Ripon: https://www.bethelripon.com/life-stories/horatio-gates-spaffordCovenant Protestant Reformed Church: https://cprc.co.uk/articles/spafford/Isabellaalden.com: https://isabellaalden.com/2017/08/28/horatio-spaffords-second-chapter/Leben: https://leben.us/shipwreck-american-colony/

Send us feedbackToday we are going to talk about Augustus Toplady, an Anglican clergyman and hymn writer who is best known for his classic hymn "Rock of Ages".RESOURCESHymnary: https://hymnary.org/person/Toplady_AugustusLeben: https://leben.us/augustus-toplady/Challies.com: https://www.challies.com/articles/hymn-stories-rock-of-ages/Evangelical Movement of Wales: https://www.emw.org.uk/2020/05/rock-of-ages/

Send us feedbackThis is episode 57 and we're continuing our look at some of the great hymn writers and writers of some of the great hymns of all time. The subject of today's episode is Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, author of the beautiful hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness.RESOURCESHymnology Archive: https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/thomas-chisholmBlue Letter Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/bios/bio_c_h_chisholm_to.cfmWordwise Hymns: https://wordwisehymns.com/2010/07/29/today-in-1866-thomas-obediah-chisholm-born/Wikitree: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Chisholm-1772 Evangelical Movement of Wales: https://www.emw.org.uk/2020/06/great-is-thy-faithfulness/

Send us feedbackThis is episode 56 and we're continuing our look at some of the great hymn writers of all time. Today we're looking at the man who wrote one of the most popular hymns of the early 20th century and what is also my mother in-law's third favorite hymn - James Milton Black. Black is best remembered as the man behind When the Roll is Called Up Yonder. There's not a ton of biographical information on him so this will be a little on the shorter side but the song is very famous and the story behind it is a good one that I think it merits inclusion. RESOURCESLycoming College: https://www.lycoming.edu/umarch/image/black/black.pdfWordwise Hymns: https://wordwisehymns.com/2010/08/19/today-in-1856-james-milton-black-born/Christianity.com: https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/james-milton-black-wanted-his-name-on-gods-roll-11630502.html

Send us feedbackHello and welcome to another short bonus episode of the Giants of the Faith podcast. Today we're taking at look at that preeminent Christmas hymn from Isaac Watts - the one that you and I have sung hundreds of times during the season of Advent - that is in fact not a Christmas hymn at all. It is, in fact, a song looking at the second advent - the second coming of Christ. I'm speaking, of course, of Joy to the World.RESOURCESThe Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/joy-to-the-world-a-classic-christmas-hymn-reconsidered/Prince on Preaching: https://www.davidprince.com/2015/12/23/joy-to-the-world-christmas-and-the-second-coming/Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/joy-to-the-world-all-year-longInternet Archive: https://archive.org/details/PUBLICDOMAINJoytotheWorld

Send us feedbackYou’ve surely heard or read something about the coming AI revolution spurred on by OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. I thought it’d be interesting to incorporate AI into an experimental podcast episode. I asked Microsoft’s Bing AI to write a biography of Isaac Watts that’s suitable for a podcast and then asked it a follow-up question about Congregationalism. What you’re about to hear is the result. And just for fun it’s read by Microsoft's Immersive Reader. 

Send us feedbackToday's episode is focused on, as my good friend Pastor Dave Ungar would say, the big mamma jamma. He's the Father of English Hymnody, the genius of logic and theology, the Master of Metre, the Puritan Poet, the Prince of Praise, the dissenting unrelenting Southampton Singer, Isaac "Wondrous" Watts. Well, silly introductions aside, Isaac Watts was a remarkable man.RESOURCESWholesome Words: https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bwatts7.htmlBanner of Truth: https://banneroftruth.org/us/about/banner-authors/isaac-watts/Christian Classics Ethereal Library: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/wattsThe Reformed Reader: https://www.reformedreader.org/watts.htmEvangelical Movement of Wales: https://www.emw.org.uk/2020/05/when-i-survey/

Send us feedbackIn our regular episodes we're progressing through a season featuring hymnists that have produced some of the greatest hymns in the history of the Church. But it kind of begs the question - what is a hymn? To be honest, that's not something that occurred to me to ask until I was five episodes through profiling hymn writers. To me, hymns just are what they are and you know one when you hear one. But there has to be more to it than that. And while I'm certainly no musical theorist or even a garden-variety musician I'm going to try and answer that question today.RESOURCESMy Song in the Night: https://mysonginthenight.com/2012/10/01/what-makes-a-worship-song-a-hymn/DifferenceBetween: http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/entertainment-miscellaneous/difference-between-song-and-hymn/Reformed Worship: https://www.reformedworship.org/article/june-1987/what-hymnHymnicity: http://hymni.city/what-is-a-hymnEvangelical Movement of Wales: https://www.emw.org.uk/2020/06/blessed-assurance/

Send us feedbackWe're in the midst of a series profiling hymnists and in this episode I'm bringing you the life of Reginald Heber. Now, that's not a name that jumps off the page as a well known Christian – at least it didn't to me – but he wrote one of the greatest hymns, maybe even THE greatest, of all time – Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. RESOURCESHymns and Carols of Christmas: https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/reginald_heber.htmHymnology Archive: https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/reginald-heberVirginia Lucas Poetry Scrapbook: https://scalar.usc.edu/works/lucas-collection-poetry-scrapbook/biography-of-bishop-reginald-heber

Send us feedbackHello and welcome to episode 53 of the Giants of the Faith podcast. I'm Robert Daniels and I'm the host of this show. This is the podcast where we look at men and women from the age of the Church whose lives have had an impact for the Kingdom of God. Today we're continuing our series of episodes focused on hymn writers by looking at the Queen of Gospel Song Writers, Fanny Crosby.RESOURCESChristianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/poets/fanny-crosby.htmlWholesome Words: https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bcrosby8.htmlRevive Our Hearts: https://www.reviveourhearts.com/blog/fanny-crosby-her-story-her-song/Foundation for Economic Education: https://fee.org/articles/blind-but-not-disabled/Enjoying the Journey: https://enjoyingthejourney.org/hymn-history-safe-in-the-arms-of-jesus/Evangelical Movement of Wales: https://www.emw.org.uk/2020/06/blessed-assurance/

Send us feedbackWe're continuing our series of episodes on hymn writers  And since it's almost Christmas at the time I'm publishing this episode we're going to take a look at the life of the writer of that most popular Christmas song, Silent Night  Silent Night was written by Joseph Mohr, an obscure Austrian priest who nearly went unrecognized but who's work has been enjoyed by generations of Christians. RESOURCESStille Nacht Museum: https://stillenacht-wagrain.com/e_stm_mohr.phpSalzburgerland: https://www.salzburgerland.com/en/joseph-mohr-1792-1848/In Mozart's Footsteps: http://inmozartsfootsteps.com/836/the-story-of-silent-night-joseph-mohr-and-franz-gruber/The Silent Night Association: https://www.stillenacht.at/en/history/joseph-mohrThe First Silent Night: https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_First_Silent_Night?id=2LGzbFpSGc8

Send us feedbackThis is the podcast where we look at men and women from the age of the Church whose lives have had an impact for the Kingdom of God with the ultimate goal of finding inspiration and strengthening our faith. This is the second episode in season four of this podcast where we're exclusively focusing on hymn writers. The subject of today's episode wrote what is widely considered the most popular English-language hymn of all time - Amazing Grace. I'm speaking, of course, of John Newton. RESOURCES  Christian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/amazingly-graced-john-newton Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/the-life-of-john-newton Christianity.com: https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/john-newton-discovered-amazing-grace-11630253.html Banner of Truth: https://banneroftruth.org/us/about/banner-authors/john-newton/ Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/pastorsandpreachers/john-newton.html Challies: https://www.challies.com/articles/christian-men-and-their-godly-moms-physical-weakness-spiritual-strength/Evangelical Movement of Wales: https://www.emw.org.uk/2020/06/amazing-grace-traditional/

Send us feedbackt's been a while since I've been able to record an episode so I thought we'd jump right into what I'm calling season four and for the duration of season four the episodes will focus exclusively on folks who have written some of the greatest hymns this side of heaven. We're going to kick off this season by looking at the life and times of Robert Robinson. Robinson wrote the excellent hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, which is sung by churchgoers every Sunday in churches all around the world and every night by me when I'm putting my eldest grandson to bed. I love this song, and since it happens to be my wife's favorite hymn, I could not help but kick the season off with Robinson.RESOURCESBaptist Bible Tribune: https://www.tribune.org/the-strange-case-of-robert-robinson/Blue Letter Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/bios/bio_r_o_robinson_r.cfmDesiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/was-he-too-prone-to-wanderChristianity.com: https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/did-robert-robinson-wander-as-he-feared-11630313.htmlSt. Augustine Record: https://www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2016/04/29/story-behind-song-come-thou-fount/16310394007/

Send us feedbackIn this episode we're taking a look at the life of Jinsey Young - a woman who's dedication to Christ and Christian service transcended her era and circumstances. She is known as a light in a place that was darker than a thousand midnights. And, though you might not have ever heard her name, she is certainly qualified to be called a Giant of the Faith.RESOURCESConcordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne: http://www.ctsfw.net/media/pdfs/GrayFormedforServiceTheWorkofRosaJinseyYoung.pdfOur Redeemer's Lutheran Church: https://ourredeemers.net/rosa-jinsey-young-mother-of-black-lutheranism/Encyclopedia of Alabama: http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1373The Federalist: https://thefederalist.com/2021/02/10/how-one-black-teacher-in-rural-alabama-inspired-education-and-faith-spanning-generations/Place for Truth: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/rosa-young-committed-to-serveThe First Rosa Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PFC68Zcpgs

Send us feedbackWhen I started this podcast I had a list of people I might be interested in featuring but Rembrandt was nowhere on the list. I knew who he was, of course, and seen his work in school Humanities and Art classes but I didn't understand or appreciate his work from the perspective of a Christian artist. It was Francis Schaeffer's How Should We Then Live? That put him on my radar and I'm glad he did. Like Roy Rogers and Handel that I've profiled before, Rembrandt serves as a reminder that Christians can serve God in whatever their profession or calling and that glorifying Him and advancing His Kingdom are not limited to theologians, pastors, and missionaries.RESOURCESChristian Today: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/rembrandt.and.the.bible/136244.htmChristianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/musiciansartistsandwriters/rembrandt-harmensz-van-rijn.htmlMercer University Press: https://merceruniversitypress.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/rembrandt-as-christian-artist/Rembrandtpainting.net: http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/rembrandt_life_and_work.htmNational Gallery of Art: https://www.nga.gov/press/exh/0168.htmlWikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paintings_by_Rembrandt

Send us feedbackIn this episode we're looking at a woman who, in the face of great personal tragedy rose above her circumstances and experienced God doing a great work through her and her ministry. Today I'm joined by my favorite guest host - my wife Jennifer. It was her suggestion to profile Elisabeth Elliot next and she's going to take the lead on presenting Elisabeth's story.RESOURCESInspirationalchristians.org: https://www.inspirationalchristians.org/evangelists/elisabeth-elliot-biography/ Elisabethelliot.org: https://elisabethelliot.org/about/ The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-you-should-know-about-elisabeth-elliot/ Haven Today: https://haventoday.org/blog/life-legacy-elisabeth-elliot/ New Life Publishing: https://www.newlifepublishing.co.uk/articles/faith/elisabeth-elliot-the-missionary-who-lived-with-the-tribe-that-killed-her-husband/ IMB: https://www.imb.org/2019/07/23/missionaries-you-should-know-elisabeth-elliot/

Send us feedbackFor this episode I'm going to read most of a letter written by a man named Cuthbert - who was Abbot at the Jarrow monastery - to a man named Cuthwin, who was a Deacon in the church. Cuthbert wrote this letter to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of Bede, whose life we covered in Episode 46. I'm bringing this letter to your attention because I think it paints the picture of the life of a man, well-lived. It really demonstrates the love that Bede had for the Lord and for those around him and I think it can serve as an inspiration for each of us. We should all want to be remembered just as Cuthbert remembered Bede - in service to the Lord until the very end. Full of grace and love for God and in service to our fellow man.RESOURCESSt. Peter's of Wearmouth: https://www.stpeters-wearmouth.org.uk/cuthberts-letter/

Send us feedbackThis is episode 46 where we're looking at the Father of English History - a man who was a monk, scholar and historian and later a Doctor of the Church. I'm speaking, of course, of the Venerable Bede.RESOURCESChristian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/a-monk-who-made-historyThoughtCo: https://www.thoughtco.com/the-venerable-bede-1222001Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/scholarsandscientists/venerable-bede.htmlSt. Peter's of Wearmouth: https://www.stpeters-wearmouth.org.uk/about-bede/Dickinson College: https://dcc.dickinson.edu/bede-historia-ecclesiastica/intro/life-and-work