Have you ever heard about the Waldensians? Who were they? Why did they have to leave their homeland and how did they manage to return? Learn about this exciting story as Emma, Christian, and Linus talk with Dr. Erica Scroppo, Executive Secretary of the Waldensian Church Mission.

 

Show Notes:

Dr. Scroppo found out that the exact distance the Waldensians walked on their march was 160 miles from near Geneva to the first top of the Waldensian mountains!

Article by Simonetta Carr about Francis Turretin:

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/joshua-janavel-and-the-plight-of-the-waldensians

We often think of William Carey as the father of modern Protestant missions, but did you know that many Protestants went to preach the gospel to foreign lands from the time of the Reformation? Join Emma, Christian, and Sean as they discover the exciting travels of French and Dutch Protestant missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries. Thankfully, they have  Dr. Zach Purvis, professor of Church History and Theology at Edinburgh Theological Seminary, the author of several articles on this subject, to guide them.

Would you like to be a guest host on Kids Talk Church History? These wrap-up episodes have been so much fun that we’re offering our listeners the opportunity again! If you’d like to join the hosts to discuss your favorite episodes and characters from our series on the 17th Century, fill out this form. 

 

Show Notes:

Articles by Simonetta Carr about Francis Turretin:

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/jean-de-lery-and-the-first-reformed-mission

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/antonius-hambroecks-sacrifice

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/petrus-plancius-%E2%80%93-theologian-and-geographer

Quakers, Ranters, Seekers, Diggers...so many groups were formed after the Reformation. What were they saying, and why did most Christians warn against them? Did any of them leave a positive legacy? Listen as Trinity, Christian, Emma, and Ruth discuss these questions and more with Dr. Michael Haykin, professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality and director at The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. Stay tuned until the end for some surprising and exciting stories!

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to send a bundle of Simonetta Carr’s books to one of our listeners! Congratulations to Idelette S. from Chilliwack, British Columbia.

When young Thomas Goodwin and his friends went out to have fun, they decided to go to a funeral. Whether they had nothing else to do or were planning to sneer, the sermon Goodwin heard changed his life forever. Join Trinity, Emma, and Christian as they interview Dr. Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California, who has written a thesis about Thomas Goodwin. Find out how Goodwin's sermons and writings affected the people of his time and how they continue to speak to us today by pointing us to Christ, not ourselves or our faith.

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr’s books to two lucky listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway!

Show Notes:

Dr. Horton recommended the following books to our listeners:

Christ Set Forth by Thomas Goodwin: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/theology/christ-set-forth/

The Heart of Christ in Heaven towards Sinners on Earth by Thomas Goodwin: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-heart-of-christ/

Have you ever heard of the Canons of Dort? In case you are wondering, they are not cannons fired by a commander named Dort. They are a set of explanations written in the 17th century to answer some protesters. But if you think that a meeting of pastors writing a list of explanations must be boring, be ready to be surprised as you listen to this episode as Trinity, Emma, Christian, and Sean talk to Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, former president of Westminster Seminary California.

We are pleased to send two copies of William Boekestein's book, The Glory of Grace: The Story of the Canons of Dort to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books. Congratulations to Anna S. from Lewistown, PA and Evelyne M. from Alton, Ontario!

 

Show Notes:

Recommended Reading: Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort by W. Robert Godfrey.

In this episode of Kids Talk Church History, we wrap up our fourteen-episode look at the Reformation, a momentous time that changed the history of the Church. As they did for the early Church and the Middle Ages, most of our hosts get together in this episode to discuss what they have learned and discovered about the period known as the Reformation. And they are joined once again by one of our listeners who entered the “Be Our Guest” contest! Find out who their favorite characters are, what episodes they liked the best, and what they learned from the 16th-century Reformers. Listeners – stay tuned for future opportunities to join our podcast! 

Who were the Puritans? Why were they called Puritans, and did they like this name? Did they always wear black? And what can we learn from them today? Join Sophia, Grace, and Linus as they discuss these and many other intriguing questions with their guest, Dr. David Hall, Bartlett Professor Emeritus of New England Church History at Harvard Divinity School and author of The Puritans, a Transatlantic History.

 

Show Notes:

Books by David Hall: https://reformedresources.org/browse/author/david-hall/

Painting referenced by Dr. Hall: https://www.1st-art-gallery.com/The-Freake-Limner/Mrs.-Elizabeth-Freake-And-Baby-Mary-1671-74.html

Here are some books about well-known Puritans by Simonetta Carr you might want to look into:

John Owen: https://reformedresources.org/john-owen-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/   John Bunyan https://reformedresources.org/john-bunyan-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/   Anne Bradstreet https://reformedresources.org/anne-bradstreet-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/   And here's an article about Grindal: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/edmund-grindal-and-his-letter-queen  

Roman Catholics readily agree that God saves his people by grace, through faith, because of Christ. But is it grace alone, faith alone, and Christ alone? Join Emma, Grace, and Christian as they discover the importance of that little word in the Protestant Reformation and in our churches today with the help of Dr. Scott Clark, professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California.  

We are pleased to offer a copy of Simonetta Carr's award-winning book, Church History, to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books. Click here to enter. 

SDG

 

Show Notes:

To learn more about church history, Scott Clark recommends books by Simonetta Carr, and so do we! https://reformedresources.org/books/simonetta-carr/

Here I Stand, by Roland Herbert Bainton: https://a.co/d/8hw0yDp

Scott Clark’s Blog: https://heidelblog.net/

The Protestant Reformation swept throughout Europe in a way no other movement had before. There was great energy as people rediscovered the gospel - the good news of what Christ has done for sinners. How did the Roman Catholic Church respond? Find out the answer to this question with Emma, Grace, and Christian as they interview Dr Matthew Barrett, author of The Reformation as Renewal.

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, Franklin S. from West Chester, OH will receive a copy of Simonetta Carr's award-winning book, Church History!

Show Notes:

“Triumph of Religion Over Heresy” by Pierre Legros the Younger

“The Triumph of Faith Over Idolatry” by Jean-Baptiste Theodon

The Reformation as Renewal, by Matthew Barrett: https://zondervanacademic.com/reformation-as-renewal

The Nicene Creed: https://rts.edu/historical-creeds-of-faith/the-nicene-creed/

 

On November 2, 1561, the gatekeeper at the castle of Tounay found a package which had been thrown over the wall. It included what is known as the Belgic Confession, plus a letter addressed to King Philip II of Spain, who ruled over much of the Netherlands. The author of the letter and the Confession was a pastor named Guido de Bres. What did he try to accomplish, and how was his package received? Join Sophia, Linus, and Emma as they interview Dr. Wes Bredenhof, Pastor of the Free Reformed Church, Launceston, Tasmania, to find these answers and more.

Congratulations to Kelvin M. from Lansing, IL and Kate R. from Bronx, NY, each of whom won a copy of Faithfulness Under Fire: The Story of Guido de Bres by William Boekestein! Thank you Reformation Heritage Books for your generosity.

 

Show Notes:

The Hypostatic Union by Shai Linne (music video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdGMXWSkR1A

Books by Simonetta Carr: https://reformedresources.org/books/simonetta-carr/

The Belgic Confession, written by Guido de Bres: https://heidelblog.net/belgic/

Dr. Brehenhof said that his favorite Australian dish is curried scallop pie, and it’s from Tasmania, the area where he lives which is the smallest state in Australia. Check it out online – it looks delicious!

On June 27, 1638, Cyril Lucaris was ordered to board a boat, then strangled and thrown overboard. He was one of the most important patriarchs in the Orthodox Church. Why was he murdered? Was he really a Protestant? Join Emma, Grace, and Christian as they discuss this fascinating character with Rev. Mihai Corcea, pastor of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Bucharest, Romania.

Thank you Reformation Heritage Books for providing a copy of Simonetta Carr’s book, Church History, for our listeners. Congratulations, Jonathan C. from Jeffersonville, IN!

 

Show Notes:

Kids Talk Church History episode about Saint Augustine: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/augustine-of-hippo-do-we-need-grace/

Reverend Corcea’s favorite Romanian dish is Sarmale, or Romanian cabbage rolls. They look delicious! Check out some recipes online. 

Was there a Protestant Reformation in Poland? Who was Jan Laski, the Polish Reformer, and why do so few people know about him? Why did he want a national church, and how did he influence the Reformation in other countries? Join Emma, Grace, and Christian as they discuss Laski’s fascinating story and the little-known Reformation in Poland with Dr. Dariusz Bryćko, head of the Tolle Lege Institute in Warsaw, Poland.

Our friends at Reformation Heritage Books provided a copies of Simonetta Carr’s award-winning book, Church History, for our listeners. Congratulations to Dan W. from Woodbridge, VA!

 

Show Notes:

For more information on the Heidelberg Catechism: https://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/en/

Dr. Brycko said his favorite Polish dish is Zurek, a soup made with sausages, smoked meats and rye sourdough starter. There are several recipes online if you’d like to try to make it!

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "scholar"? An old man buried behind a pile of old books? Join Emma, Christian, and Sean as they continue their trip through church history and meet some 17th-century scholars who have helped us understand what we believe and why. You'll be surprised by what they discover as they interview  Dr. Nick Cumming, associate professor of Humanities at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and author of the book Francis Turretin and the Reformed Tradition.

Would you like to be a guest host on Kids Talk Church History? These wrap-up episodes have been so much fun that we’re offering our listeners the opportunity again! If you’d like to join the hosts to discuss your favorite episodes and characters from our series on the 17th Century, fill out this form. 

 

Show Notes:

Francis Turretin (1623-87) and the Reformed Tradition (St Andrews Studies in Reformation History) by Nicholas A. Cumming

Episode 55 – John Owen https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/john-owen-the-prince-of-puritans/

 

Articles by Simonetta Carr about Francis Turretin: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/francis-turretins-italian-family

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/francis-turretin-and-his-love-for-biblical-truth

Growing up in a small town in southeast Scotland, John Knox could never have imagined that he would play a significant role in a powerful movement that transformed his country. From tutor to bodyguard to slave on a French galley, he was involved in some of the most crucial events of Scottish history before he turned 35. After a brief time in England, where he served as a preacher and pastor and met his wife, he moved to Germany and Geneva, only to be called back to Scotland to inspire a powerful reformation. Find out more about this enthralling story as Lucas, Linus, and Emma talk to Dr. Ewen Cameron, the Sir William Fraser Professor of Scottish History and Palaeography at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Our friends at Reformation Heritage Books provided two copies of Simonetta Carr’s book about John Knox for our listeners. Congratulations to John V. from Kentwood, MI, and Pam H. from St. Paul, MN!

In 1536, an English priest and scholar was led from his cell to a place of execution, where he was burned to death on a pile of dry wood. His crime? He translated the Bible into English. His name is William Tyndale. Why would an esteemed scholar put himself in such danger just to see the Bible placed in the hands of all English people? And why would the government hunt him down and kill him? Find out more as Lucas, Linus, and Grace chat with Emily Lucas, tutor in Church History at Union School of Theology in London.

Our friends at Reformation Heritage Books provided a copy of Simonetta Carr’s book about Lady Jane Grey. Congratulations to our winner, Christopher D. from Gulf Breeze, FL!

 

Show Notes:

Article by Simonetta Carr about William Tyndale:

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/william-tyndale-and-sola-scriptura

Did the message of the Protestant Reformation reach Spain? If so, why was it completely repressed while other countries embraced it? Why don't we know more about the thousands of Spanish people who followed the Reformation? Find out all this and more as our hosts, Lucas, Linus, and Grace, interview Dr. Andrew Messmer, professor at the International Faculty of Theology in Barcelona, and hear the exciting stories of the brave men and women of the Spanish Reformation.

Our friends at Reformation Heritage Books have provided two copies of Simonetta Carr’s book about Julia Gonzaga for our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy. 

We’re also excited to offer a listener the opportunity to be a guest host on Kids Talk Church History like we did for the first time a few months ago! If you’d like to join the hosts to discuss your favorite episodes and characters from our series on the Reformation, fill out this form. 

 

Show Notes:

The most widely used version of the Bible in Spain today is the Reina-Valera. For more information: https://www.museumofthebible.org/book-minute/the-reinavalera-bible

Article by Simonetta Carr about Juan Pérez de Pineda and other Spanish Reformers:

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/juan-p%C3%A9rez-de-pineda-and-other-spanish-reformers

 

In December 1560, Jeanne d'Albret, Queen of Navarre, displayed great courage by publicly professing her Reformed faith at a time when the larger Kingdom of France, to which Navarre was strongly connected, was firmly Roman Catholic. Join Lucy, Trinity, and Christian as they discover what happened after Jeanne's profession of faith and how the Reformation in France progressed for a while and was eventually suppressed by the government. Their guest today is Christine Farenhorst, author of Wings Like a Dove: The Courage of Queen Jeanne D'albret, published by P&R Books.

Thanks to P&R Publishing, we awarded two copies of Christine Farernhorst's book to offer our listeners. Congratulations to Amanda W. from Cedar Creek, TX and Richard P. from Madera, CA!

When we think of the Protestant Reformation, we usually think of countries like Germany, Switzerland, England, and the Netherlands. We rarely think of Italy. And yet, a Reformation started there too, but was quickly crushed by the Roman Catholic Church. What most people don't know is that teachings like justification by faith were not officially condemned by the Roman Catholic Church until 1547. And yet, many people who believed in that teaching in Italy were imprisoned or killed before then. Learn more about the intriguing story of the Italian Reformation as Lucy, Trinity, and Christian talk to Rev. Michael Brown, pastor of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in Milan, Italy.

One of the Italian Reformers mentioned in the podcast was Peter Martyr Vermigli. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we awarded a copy of Simonetta Carr's book about Vermigli to one of our listeners. Congratulations, Kate R. from Bronx, NY!

Show Notes:

Pastor Brown's ministry in Italy: https://www.reformationitaly.org/

Who was John Calvin, and why was he important in church history? Was he a killjoy, as some people say (and some portraits make him look)? What does the word predestination mean, and why is it good news? Find out all these things and more with our hosts, Trinity, Christian, and Linus, as they interview their knowledgeable and enthusiastic guest, Dr. Herman Selderhuis. As a bonus, learn how to say "good-bye" in Dutch!

Thanks to our generous friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we had two copies of Simonetta Carr’s book about John Calvin to give to our listeners. Congratulations to Chris B. from Camp Hill, PA and Christopher D. from Gulf Breeze, FL!

 

Show Notes:

Books by and about John Calvin:

John Calvin by Simonetta Carr: https://reformedresources.org/john-calvin-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/

Letters of John Calvin: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-john-calvin/

When we talk about the Protestant Reformation, most people remember Martin Luther and John Calvin. However, a third man had a significant influence at the start of the Reformation: Ulrich Zwingli. Join Trinity, Christian, and Linus as they travel back to Reformation Switzerland with their guest, Rev. William Boekestein, to discover who Zwingli really was. Also, find out why having a sausage-fest on March 9 might be a good idea!

Thanks to our generous friends at Christian Focus Publications for providing two copies of William Boekestein's book, Ulrich Zwingli: Shepherd Warrior for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners, Scott C. from Sandy, UT and Heather B. from Newnan, GA!

 

Show Notes:

Books by Reverend Boekestein:

Ulrich Zwingli: Shepherd Warrior: https://www.christianfocus.com/products/1832/ulrich-zwingli

The Best Day of the Week: Why We Love the Lord's Day: https://reformedresources.org/the-best-day-of-the-week-why-we-love-the-lords-day-hardcover/

https://heritagebooks.org/brands/Boekestein%2C-William.html

In today's podcast, Emma, Lucas, and Sophia begin their journey through the exciting time of the Protestant Reformation by discussing the life and teachings of Martin Luther with Professor Phillip Cary, author of the audio course Martin Luther, Gospel, Law, and Reformation. Was Luther really the spark for the Reformation? What made him stand out from earlier Reformers? Find out this and more on Kids Talk Church History.

Thanks to our generous friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we were given a couple copies of Simonetta Carr's book about Martin Luther for a drawing. Congratulations to Stephane S. from Lewistown, PA and Judah H. from Tazewell, VA! 

 

Show Notes:

Episode #11 - Augustine of Hippo: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/augustine-of-hippo-do-we-need-grace/

For the first time, the hosts of Kids Talk Church History are joined by two listeners, Priscilla and Hosea, for a fun, lively discussion of favorite episodes, characters, and guests from their survey of the Middle Ages. Learn what encouraged them and what surprised them. And stay tuned for future opportunities to join our podcast!

Around the time that John Wycliffe and Jan Hus shook the Western church by challenging its authority and traditions, a lesser-known monk did something similar in Ethiopia. He was known as Abba Estifanos (in English, Father Stephen). How similar were his protests to the ones made by European Reformers? Why does the Ethiopian Church claim to have the true Ark of the Covenant? Join Trinity, Lucas, and Linus as they explore these questions and learn more about Estifanos's story and how he was persecuted.

 

Show Notes:

Eric Clausen’s Podcast: https://faithfulforebearers.com/

Episode 3 of Kids Talk Church History: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/the-first-christian-nations/

Piety is a good thing. It means devotion to God. Pietism was a movement in history that started out well and inspired many missionaries and hymn writers but caused some problems when it shifted people's attention from Christ's gospel to the pietists' own acts of devotion. Learn all about it as Trinity, Sophia, and Christian discuss this important movement with  Dr. Larry Rast, president of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and professor of American Christianity and American Lutheranism.

We often hear of medieval men like John Wyclif and Jan Hus as forerunners of the Reformation. That means they had many of the same questions and ideas as those who started and carried out the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. These men saw some serious problems in the church and wanted to fix them, but were they really forerunners, or Reformers in their own rights? And were they the only ones? What happened to them and to their followers? How were the Bible and the Psalter used in those days? Explore these and many other topics with Trinity, Lucas, and Linus as they bring their questions to Dr. Audrey Southgate, lecturer in Medieval English at Lincoln College, Oxford, and teacher at Emmanuel Christian School.

 

Show Notes:

Book recommended by Audrey Southgate:

Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History 

   

Did you know many of our Christmas hymns were written in the Middle Ages or earlier? Join Emma, Christian, and Grace as they discuss these ancient hymns with Rev. Jonathan Landry Cruse, pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rev. Cruse has authored many books, including one that’s coming out next fall, Sing in Exaltation, about Christmas hymns of the past. Don't miss hearing Emma's beautiful rendition of the hymn, "Of the Father's Love Begotten," and enjoy our hosts' fun guessing game. Try it with your families and see how you do! 

We are grateful to our friends at Christian Focus Publications for donating a couple copies of the beautiful book by Heather Lefebvre, The History of Christmas: 2,000 Years of Faith, Fable, and Festivity, for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Monica K. from Odessa, MO, and Bridget B. from Powhatan, VA!

Show Notes:

"Of the Father's Love Begotten" in Latin:

Corde natus ex Paréntis ante mundi exórdium Alpha et Omega vocátus,  ipse fons et cláusula  ómnium quae sunt, fuérunt,  quaeque post futúra sunt.  Saeculorum saeculis.

Here is a link to the beautiful Christmas song "In the Manger" -- text by Jonathan Landry Cruse, music by Josh Bauder: https://youtu.be/7U7M_oCnaYE?si=aZVcGXcWWCUkGlgB

To check out the books Jonathan has written: https://reformedresources.org/authors/jonathan-cruse/

Inspired by her interest in Hildegard's unique music that has been virtually forgotten for centuries, our host Emma and her co-hosts Christian and Grace explore medieval mystics, with a particular emphasis on Hildegard and Bernard. Tune in as they bring their many questions to our guest, Dr. Ben Wheaton, a Ph.D. graduate from the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto and author of many books on the Middle Ages. Discover why Hildegard was called a mystic, who the mystics were, and what we can learn from them.

 

Show Notes:

Dr. Wheaton had some great book recommendations for our listeners. If you’re interested in reading a primary source which is more challenging but rich, check out A History of the Franks by Gregory of Tours: https://a.co/d/6JMz0lV

Some other books of historical fiction based in the middle ages which Dr. Wheaton enjoyed very much:

Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman: https://a.co/d/6q0ZXbs

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli: https://a.co/d/jcmlwS7

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: https://a.co/d/h1Tokp3

Anselm of Canterbury is one of the most celebrated medieval thinkers. He is especially famous for the questions he asked and answered. Join our hosts, Lucy, Sophia, and Grace, as they bring their own questions to Dr. Samu Niskanen, professor of Medieval History at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and learn more about this fascinating person—his struggles with a king and his loving and gentle personality. (And learn what Hei Hei means in Finnish.)

We are grateful to Reformation Heritage Books for providing two copies of Simonetta Carr's book on Anselm of Canterbury for a giveaway for our listeners. Congratulations to Kate R. from Bronx, NY, Maria S. from Greer, SC, and Stephanie S. from Monrovia, CA, our giveaway winners!

Show Notes:

How do you say “Why the God-man?” in Finnish? Miksi Jumala mies

Dr. Niskanen said that J.R.R. Tolkien's well known trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, inspired his interest in medieval history! 

He also said his favorite Finnish food is karjalanpiirakka, or Karelian pie, which sounds delicious! Maybe you could try to make one with your mom or dad!  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karelian_pasty

Why would a Christian pray to a dog? And why would a pope be taken out of his grave and brought to trial? In previous episodes about the Middle Ages, we discovered inspiring people who loved the Lord and the gospel, and we learned that it was a time of missions and important studies. So we don’t want to say, “The Middle Ages were all bad and the Reformation all good.” But, there were many problems that can be traced to biblical ignorance. 

Join our hosts, Lucy, Sophia, and Grace, as they explore some of these problems and their solutions with Dr. Leonardo de Chirico, pastor of the Church Breccia di Roma in Rome, Italy, and lecturer in historical theology at the institute IFED in Padova, Italy. (And you may learn an Italian word or two.)

Show Notes:

Dr. de Chirico recommended novels by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien which were written in modern times but are shaped around medieval imaginations, such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. 

He also recommended The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis: https://www.amazon.com/Imitation-Christ-Thomas-%C3%A0-Kempis/dp/1514694085

To learn more about the Franciscan monk Bonaventure who Dr. de Chirico would like to meet: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Bonaventure

What would happen if kings and rulers claimed authority over popes, and popes claimed authority over kings and rulers? Well, it did happen, and it was quite a mess! Join our hosts, Lucy, Sophia, and Grace, as they explore this tumultuous time in the Middle Ages with Mike Corradi, host of the popular History of Italy podcast. (And learn an Italian word you may or may not already know.)

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to offer two copies of Simonetta Carr's book on Anselm of Canterbury to our listeners . Enter here for an opportunity to win.

Show Notes:

Mike's Podcast: https://ahistoryofitaly.com/

More information about Matilda being buried at St. Paul's Basilica: http://stpetersbasilica.info/Monuments/MatildaofCanossa/MatildaofCanossa.htm

Here are two podcasts recommended by our guest, Mike Corradi:

• Pontifacts: https://pontifacts.podbean.com/
• History of the Papacy: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/learnoutloud/id590968693

Today, we use the word "crusade" to mean different things. Historically, it typically referred to armed ventures - especially to those that took place in the Middle East between the 11th and 13th centuries. But were they really limited to that time period? And how many crusades were there? The answers might surprise you. Join Emma, Mina, Grace, Christian and Lucas as they discuss this important subject and the fascinating answers provided by Alfred J. Andrea, Professor Emeritus of the University of Vermont, past president of The World History Association, and prolific author.

 

Show Notes:

It was not until the early twentieth century that historians settled on assigning fixed numbers to the first five “really big ones” to the eastern Mediterranean: the First (1096-1099), the Second (1147-49), the Third (1188-92), the Fourth (1202-04), and the Fifth (1217-21).

Episode 11 about Augustine of Hippo: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/augustine-of-hippo-do-we-need-grace/

Does the rain not fall equally upon all people? Does the sun not shine for all, and do we not all breathe the air in equal measure? Why then, are you not ashamed to recognize only three languages and command the other nations and races to be blind and deaf?” Who said this? A sixteenth-century Reformer, right? Wrong. It was a ninth-century missionary, Cyril, who worked with his brother Methodius to bring the Scriptures to the Slavs – even when it meant inventing an entirely new alphabet! Join Emma, Grace, Christian, and Mina as they discover more about these early missionaries and translators and the struggles they encountered. To guide them in their discoveries is Dr. Ed Smither, professor of Intercultural Studies and History of Global Christianity at Columbia International University.

Did the Medieval church keep the traditions and teachings of the early church, or did something get lost along the way? Were the Protestant Reformers the first to challenge some of these traditions and teachings? Join Lucy, Linus, Mina, and their guest, Dr. Scott Clark, professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, as they explore some of the meaningful theological discussions that took place in the Middle Ages.

 

Show notes:

Article written by Simonetta Carr about Ratrammus, a Benedictine monk at Corbie Abbey in Picardy, France during this time period:

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/ratramnus-corbie-and-his-book-lord%E2%80%99s-supper

 

*Image: Of Monks, Medieval Scribes, and Middlemen, By Peter K. Yu, Michigan State Law Review, Vol.1 (2006), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

When we hear the word Renaissance, we normally think of 14th and 15th-century Europe. But this word was used for other times in history. The 9th century was another important time of discovery and learning - particularly at the court of the powerful Charlemagne, king of the Franks, later known as Holy Roman Emperor. How did he get that title? Did he really have a pet elephant and a favorite cheese shipped to his door from Italy? Join Lucy, Linus, and Mina as they travel back to Charlemagne's court to discover all this and more with the expert guidance of the Reverend Dr. Robert Evans, Chaplain at Radley College in Oxford, England. And don't miss a riddle presented by Alcuin, an important teacher at Charlemagne's court. Try answering it without looking it up!

Here's the riddle: “Three there have been: one never born and once dead; another once born, never dead; the third once born and twice dead.”

 

Show notes

https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/alcuin-of-york-%E2%80%93-more-than-a-scholar

https://www.medievalists.net/2015/08/questions-and-answers-with-alcuin/

More puzzles by Alcuin (for older children)

https://www.medievalists.net/2016/02/can-you-solve-alcuins-puzzles/

How did the first Protestant hymns start? Who were the most important hymn writers? And how could they write so much about gladness while living through the pain and horrors of the Thirty-Years War? Trinity, Sean, and Grace sit down with Dr. Paul Grime, Dean of Spiritual Formation and Dean of the Chapel at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to discover the answers to these questions and more.

Remember Patrick of Ireland and how he left his home in England to bring the gospel to the land where he had been previously enslaved, Ireland? Well, the gospel went full circle when Irish monks traveled to England to spread the gospel in places where it had been forgotten. Some also traveled to Scotland, Iceland, other parts of Europe, and, some say, as far as North America. Join Emma, Lucas, and Mina as they explore the lives and legends of these intrepid monks and the Irish church's contribution to the rest of the continent. Helping them in this discovery is Dr. Crawford Gribben, professor at Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland, and author of The Rise and Fall of Christian Ireland.

Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of Simonetta Carr’s book on Patrick of Ireland.

 

Show Notes:

Glendalough: http://monastic.ie/history/glendalough/

Book of Kells: https://www.museumofthebible.org/book-minute/book-of-kells

Pangur Bán: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2013/10/pangur-ban/

The Rise and Fall of Christian Ireland by Crawford Gribben: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Christian-Ireland/dp/0198868189

In the eighth century, when England was still considered a wild and far-off land, a local monk wrote some of the most influential books in the Middle Ages. His name was Bede. Historian, scientist, Bible translator, and poet, he preserved the story of the early church in England and the people who helped in spreading the gospel. Among these people was Hilda, abbess of the monastery of Whitby and probably the most influential woman in the early English church. Join Emma, Lucas, and Sophia on a discovery of this fascinating time with the able guidance of Dr. Elizabeth Nesbitt, who has studied ancient and modern history at Oxford University and is now principal of Emmanuel Christian School in Oxford, England.

 

Show Notes

Episode 18 on Augustine of Canter: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/missions-to-north-america/

Episode 20 on Medieval queens: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/christian-medieval-queens/

Caedmon’s hymn (from the website of the church where Bede’s monastery was) https://www.stpeters-wearmouth.org.uk/caedmons-hymn-song/

A short introduction to Chad: https://stchads-southhill.org/st-chad

A prayer thanking God for the life of Chad which some Anglican churches use: 

Almighty God,

from the first fruits of the English nation who turned to Christ,

you called your servant Chad

to be an evangelist and bishop of his own people:

give us grace so to follow his peaceable nature, humble spirit and prayerful life,

that we may truly commend to others

the faith which we ourselves profess;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

 

Emmanuel Christian School, Oxford website: ecschool.org.uk

Articles written by Simonetta Carr:

Augustine of Canterbury: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/augustine-of-canterbury-a-reluctant-missionary

Medieval Wives: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/medieval-christian-brides

Hilda: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/hilda-the-abbess-of-whitby

Aidan: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/aidan-of-lindisfarne-a-seventh-century-door-to-door-missionary

Theodore: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/hadrian-of-nisida-and-theodore-of-tarsus-seventh-century-star-teachers

Why would an 82-year-old man submit to torture and execution rather than denying what he believed? And why would both government and church authorities go to such lengths to make sure he was silenced? Why is it important to say that Jesus has two natures and two wills? Join Trinity, Emma, and Sophia as they find answers to these questions and more with their guest, Dr. Jordan Wood, author of The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus Confessor.

 

Show Notes

Simonetta Carr article on Maximus: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/maximus-confessor-and-two-wills-christ

Episode 18 where we talked about Perpetua: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/missions-to-north-america/

Simonetta Carr article on Perpetua: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/perpetua-and-felicitas-two-martyred-mothers

Did you know that the gospel arrived in China in the seventh century and that Chinese emperor Taizong ordered the building of a monastery? Did you know that the Chinese called Christianity "the luminous religion" and that Persian monks built monasteries all along the way from modern Turkey to China? Join Emma, Trinity, Mina, and Sophia as they explore this forgotten part of church history with the help of  Dr. Todd Godwin, author of Persian Christians at the Chinese Court: The Xi’an Stele and the Early Medieval Church of the East.

 

Show Notes

To view Dr. Godwin's slides referenced in the podcast, click here. 

Article written by Simonetta Carr regarding this time period in church history: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/alopen-and-the-missionary-monks-of-the-church-of-the-east

 

How would Christian queens have lived in England around the seventh century? How different were their lives from the Disney princesses we see in the movies? And what was their role in bringing Christianity to England? Emma, Trinity, and Christian journey to seventh-century England and explore the captivating stories of some of these queens and their kings with the expert guidance of Dr. Eleanor Parker, Lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Brasenose College in Oxford and author of many books on this week's episode of Kids Talk Church History.

Show Notes:

Episode 11: Augustine of Hippo

Eleanor Parker's award-winning blog, A Clerk of Oxford

Eleanor Parker books

John 1:1-5 in Old English (read by Dr. Parker):

1. On frymðe wæs Word, and þæt Word wæs mid Gode, and God wæs þæt Word.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

2. Þæt wæs on fruman mid Gode. He was in the beginning with God.

3. Ealle þing wæron geworhte ðurh hyne; and nan þing næs geworht butan him.  All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

4. Þæt wæs lif þe on him geworht wæs; and þæt lif wæs manna leoht. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

5. And þæt leoht lyht on ðystrum; and þystro þæt ne genamon. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. 

 

* Image attribution: © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons

When discouraged about the state of our world, have you ever heard someone say that it feels like we are back in the Dark Ages? What actually are the Dark Ages, and were they really dark? Did the church live in ignorance and superstition until Martin Luther rediscovered the truth? Join Emma, Trinity, and Christian as they discuss these questions and the fascinating centuries we have come to call the Middle Ages with Dr. Carl Trueman, professor of Biblical & Religious Studies at Grove City College.

Show Notes:

Cologne Cathedral

© Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Aesthetics of Architecture, by Roger Scruton

* The episode image is the "Glasses Apostle," a painting in the altarpiece of the church of Bad Wildungen, Germany. It was painted by Conrad von Soest in 1403, and is considered the oldest depiction of eyeglasses north of the Alps.

 

Were there missionaries in the first centuries of church history? If so, what were they called? Were they ever afraid of going to unknown places? How did they learn to have patience during their long travels? Join Lucy, Lucas, and Linus, as they explore these questions and more with the help of their guest, Ed Smither, professor of intercultural studies and history of global Christianity, and dean of the College of Intercultural Studies at Columbia International University.   For a chance to win Simonetta Carr's award winning book, Church History, enter here.    Show Notes   Christian Mission: A Concise Global History, by Edward Smither https://lexhampress.com/product/166025/christian-mission-a-concise-global-history   The Biographical Dictionary (Boston University School of Theology) https://www.bu.edu/missiology/missionary-biography/  

With 16 episodes under their belts covering the first few centuries of church history, our hosts get together to discuss what they have learned and discovered. Find out who their favorite characters are, the episodes they like the best, and which suggestions from their guests really stood out. Then write to us and let us know what your favorites are! Write to Questions@KidsTalkChurchHistory.org.    Be sure to subscribe to our email to be entered for a drawing to win a copy of Simonetta Carr's new book, Church History. The emails are used to notify you when the next Kids Talk Church History podcast drops and for special offers from Simonetta Carr and the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can unsubscribe at any time.  

Walk with Lucy, Lucas, and Linus through fifth-century Milan to discover how a meek and humble bishop resisted the impositions of an Empress and her son in what might have been the first sit-in in church history. Learn how his songs strengthened his congregation and baffled the soldiers outside. And listen to the enthralling explanations of Dr. Brian Arnold, Associate Professor of Theology and president of Phoenix Seminary, on the long struggle between bishops and rulers.   Show Notes:   Dr. Arnold recommended several books and resources for kids who want to learn more about church history:   Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelly   Christian Focus Publications -- resources for kids   Primary Sources:   On the Incarnation by Athanasius, with an introduction by C.S. Lewis   The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching by Irenaeus of Lyon  

One day in the fourth century, Egeria, a woman with enough time and means, left for a three-year tour of Biblical places. Join Lucy, Lucas, and Linus as they follow Egeria's travels and discover some early church practices, thanks to their guest, Dr. Stefana Laing of Beeson Divinity School. Dr. Laing shares her invaluable knowledge, including a detailed explanation of how Christmas and Easter celebrations started.   Show Notes   Books recommendations for kids studying church history:   The Holy Land Illustrated Bible: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/csb-holy-land-illustrated-bible-hardcover-P005822949   Holman Illustrated Guide to Biblical Geography: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/holman-illustrated-guide-to-biblical-geography-P005018792   Photos provided by Dr. Stefana Lang:  

My sterling silver ring features Hebrew script with a verse from Song of Songs 6:3, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." The early church interpreted this love poem in terms of Christ and the soul. 

The two small communion cups are made of olive wood, and I used one to take Communion in the Garden of Gethsemane in 2019 when I was traveling in Israel with a group of other women academics.

The sprig of dried rosemary is from a bush in the Garden of Gethsemane. We spent some devotional time there, individually praying and meditating on Jesus's Passion.

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan has been translated into more than 200 languages, set to music, and made into movies. But who was its author and how did he start writing this book? Why did he have to spend 12 years in prison? And what do we know about his courageous wife Elizabeth and other women who influenced his life? Listen to the answers to these questions and more as Trinity, Sean, and Christian talk with Dr. Shannon Murray, Professor of Early Modern and Children’s literature at the University of Prince Edward Island, and president of the executive committee of the International John Bunyan Society.

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr’s books to two listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway!

 

Show Notes:

 

Giving Tuesday: https://www.alliancenet.org/giving-tuesday

 

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan: 

https://reformedresources.org/the-pilgrims-progress-clothbound/

 

Pictures from Pilgrim’s Progress by C.H. Spurgeon:

https://reformedresources.org/pictures-from-pilgrims-progress-paperback/

 

John Bunyan: Christian Biographies for Young Readers by Simonetta Carr:

https://reformedresources.org/john-bunyan-christian-biographies-for-young-readers-hardcover/

 

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan

https://reformedresources.org/grace-abounding-cloth-bound/

 

Dig deeper into The Pilgrim’s Progress on the Theology on the Go Podcast

 

The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 1: https://theologyonthego.podbean.com/e/the-pilgrims-progress-part-1/

 

The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2: https://theologyonthego.podbean.com/e/the-pilgrims-progress-part-2/

 

The Pilgrim’s Progress Part 3: https://theologyonthego.podbean.com/e/the-pilgrims-progress-part-3/

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Join Trinity, Emma, and Christian as they look beyond the popular stories of three-leaf clovers and snakes to discover the real Saint Patrick. When did he live? Why did he return to the people who had enslaved him? And why is he so important in church history? Listen to their engaging interview with Dr. Phillip Freeman, author of St. Patrick of Ireland, and find out more about this man of faith whom people celebrate every March 17th.

Show Notes:

St. Patrick of Ireland by Philip Freeman  https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743256344?tag=simonsayscom

Patrick's confession https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_english#

Patrick's letter to the soldiers of Coroticus  https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/epistola_english#

Lutheran Satire "St. Patrick's Bad Analogies" YouTube video: https://youtu.be/KQLfgaUoQCw

Heresies What are heresies and why are they so dangerous? Join Trinity, Emma, and Christian as they discuss this important topic with Dr. Justin Holcomb, a bishop-elect in the Episcopal Church and a co-host of the White Horse Inn podcast. Discover what heresies are still common today, how we can recognize them, and why we should use the word "heresies" carefully.

Show Notes:

Previous episodes dealing with specific heresies: Gnosticism: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/irenaeus-and-the-gnostics/ Arianism: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/athanasius-and-the-nicene-creed/  Pelagianism: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/augustine-of-hippo-do-we-need-grace/

Books by Justin Holcomb: https://justinholcomb.com/books/

Lutheran Heresies Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQLfgaUoQCw

With Valentine’s Day coming up, it seems like the perfect time for Emma, Trinity, and Linus to discuss friendships in the early church with historian Dr. Michael Haykin, professor of church history and biblical spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. How did Christians in the early centuries maintain their friendships? How long did it take for a letter to travel from one friend to another? And most importantly, what is a true friend, and why is friendship so precious, both in the past and today?

“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” This famous quote by church father, Augustine of Hippo, is one of many you may have heard. But who was Saint Augustine, and why is he still important today? Why did he cry when he was appointed bishop? And how do we still have so many of his writings? Join Emma, Trinity, and Linus as they discuss all this and more with Dr. Phillip Cary, professor of philosophy at Eastern University and author of many books and a video course on Augustine.

We have a few copies of Simonetta Carr's book, Augustine of Hippo, that we'd like to give away. Enter here for an opportunity to win one.