Church History and Theology – Details, episodes & analysis

Why did the Apostles write the New Testament at all? In this episode, we explore how the New Testament is not just inspired—it's the official, covenantal documentation of the New Covenant. We show why its existence dismantles apostolic succession by office and establishes Scripture as the Church's lasting foundation. Title: The Inevitable New Testament Date: 30 - 100 AD Place: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Uttermost Parts of the Earth. Key Figures and Events: Jesus, Apostles, Christians. Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

The epistles of Ignatius in the Short recension are preserved for us in this form only in the Syriac. If they are more representative of the original writings of Ignatius, then they are some of the earliest Christian documents, offering a glimpse into the mind and heart of an early martyr of the church who was centered in Antioch. The current scholarly opinion is that these are an abridgement of the Middle Recension, but it is included here because that view has received challenge in the recent quarter century, some theorizing that the short recension is actually closer to the form of the original letters. Both the Short and the Middle Recensions will have their own resource episode. Have a question? Send me an email: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me All Resource episodes of Church History and Theology are donated to the public domain.

Today we're diving into the story of one of the most influential cities in early Christianity—Antioch. A bustling hub of culture, trade, and power, earning the title "Rome of the East." But it wasn't just a political giant—by the 1st century AD, Antioch became a crucial center for the spread of Christianity, the very place where believers were first called "Christians" and where Paul and Barnabas set out on their groundbreaking missionary journeys. Plus, we'll explore the Antiochene School's lasting legacy on biblical interpretation and theology. Title: Antioch - the Rome of the East Date: 4th century BC - 7th century AD Place: Antioch Key Figures and Events: Christological Debates, Nestorius, Theodore of Mopsuestia Documents of Significance: Letters of Ignatius, Canon 6 of Nicea. Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

Before we go any further into church history, it is important to take a clarifying theology break. Many are those who have seen Saints as a special class of Christians who, through their own personal and practical holiness have attained levels of holiness that other Christians have not. Is this consistent with the teachings either of Christ or the Apostles? No. No it isn't. All Christians are saints, and that fact of identity spurns us on to being further conformed to the image of Christ. What a grace! Title: All Christians are Saints Date: Yes Place: Everywhere Key Figures and Events: All Christians Documents of Significance: Psalms, Daniel, Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Philippians, Ephesians, and Hebrews. Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

As the Apostles and Elders meet in Jerusalem to discuss a false gospel floating around the Gentile church, they come to a conclusion that has important ramifications for us today. Let's go learn from them! Title: The Jerusalem Council Date: AD 49 Place: Jerusalem Key Figures and Events: Paul, Peter, James, the believing Pharisees, the Apostles, and the Elders. Documents of Significance: Acts 15 Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

Ephesus is perhaps one of the more fascinating cities of the ancient world. The magical arts being performed there were arguably second to none and made for a unique beginning of the church there. The first years were not without growing pains as we shall see. Title: The Church in Ephesus and Its Mystical Culture Date: AD 51-56 Place: Ephesus Key Figures and Events: Paul, Priscilla, Aquilla, Apollos, Ephesian Church Documents of Significance: Acts 18-19 Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

CHT | S2E9: Wolves Will Arise As Paul nears the end of his life and ministry, he warns the church leaders in Ephesus that false teachers (wolves) will arise from even among their own number. In this episode, we look into Paul's presentation to the church in Ephesus about how to identify them, avoid them, and keep watch over yourselves. False teachers wander away from revealed truth, true teachers stand firm. As do all Christians who keep watch over their faith. Title: Wolves Will Arise Date: AD 57-67 Place: Miletus, Ephesus Key Figures and Events: Paul, Timothy, Ephesians Elders, Ephesian Church Documents of Significance: Acts 20, 1 & 2 Timothy, Ephesians Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

CHT | S2E8: Paul - the Apostle to the Gentiles No other person outside of Jesus Christ has affected so much of the development and theology of the church than Paul. His writings make up nearly half of the books of the New Testament and his leadership helped found the churches of Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. He helped align the focus of missions, theology, and gentile relations in the Church of Jerusalem. Join the study this evening as we construct his story and timeline, appreciating the wisdom that has come down to us from Paul. Title: Paul - the Apostle to the Gentiles Date: AD 33-67 Place: Jerusalem, Antioch, Syria, Asia minor, and Rome Key Figures and Events: Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, the Church in Corinth Documents of Significance: Acts, Galatians, 2 Timothy, 1 Clement Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

Today's episode takes a look into the character and life of the Apostle Peter. Much is made of his ministry that has no home in either Scripture or authentic history, but we will dive into what can be known regarding him and his ministry God gave him. While he is clearly NOT the bishop of Rome or the first pope, what we learn of him is even more impressive: a humble man who has learned through his own fallibility to depend on the Lord all the more. Title: The Real Peter - the Apostle to the Jews Date: AD 30-65 Place: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Asia minor, and Rome Key Figures and Events: Peter, Simon Magus, Justin Martyr Documents of Significance: Acts, Galatians, 1st and 2nd Peter, Justin Martyr's 1st Apology Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

Today's Episode finds us all throughout the New Testament delving into the question of offices and roles in the leadership structure of the First Church. After that we see what the enduring offices and roles are for the church, including the surprising centrality of the Scriptures in the governing of those in the offices and roles of the church. Title: The Leadership of the Apostolic Church Date: AD 31-70 Place: Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria Key Figures and Events: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers, Elders, Deacons Documents of Significance: Acts, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians 4, and The Pastoral Epistles Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.