Podcasts about early christians

"Sin is simply the fruit of idolatry" Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

Love Becomes Action Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18 Episode Summary Pastor Michael shares the incredible story of Desmond Doss, the WWII medic from Lynchburg, VA who refused to carry a weapon but saved 75 men at Hacksaw Ridge. Through 1 John's challenging words about love, we discover that real love isn't about feelings or words - it's about action. If the Love of Jesus led Him to the Ultimate Sacrifice, how will His Love in us change the world? Key Points – Jesus introduced a new kind of love that culture doesn't understand - love that sacrifices, serves, and puts others first – Early Christians took the obscure Greek word "agape" and redefined it by The Cross - willing, sacrificial action for others' good – Laying down our lives usually means healthy self-denial and serving others, not just dying in a blaze of glory – Within God's Family, we see a need and meet a need - compassion without action isn't Christ-like love – Love must be grounded in Biblical truth, not just feelings - sometimes the most loving thing is a hard conversation – Throughout history, Christ's love in believers has changed the world through action, not just sentiment Main Takeaway Love Becomes Action. If it doesn't, it's not love. The culture says love exists to make us happy; Christ says love exists to seek the good of others. Real love isn't warm fuzzy feelings during sad puppy commercials - it's crawling through gunfire to save lives. Love that stays in your mouth never reaches anyone's life. The Love of Christ in us must move our hands, open our hearts, and cost us something, because that's what Jesus's love did for us. Memorable Quotes – "Love Becomes Action." – "If love doesn't cost something, it isn't love at all." – "Laying down our lives doesn't mean thinking less of yourself; it means thinking of yourself less." – "If love doesn't move your hands, it probably hasn't moved your heart." – "Say less, do more." – "The people who were dying didn't need somebody who cared enough to change their profile picture; they needed someone who would crawl through gunfire." – "Love that stays in your mouth never reaches anyone's life." Reflection Question Where has your love stayed stuck in words and feelings instead of becoming action? What need has God put in front of you that requires you to move - to open your home, calendar, wallet, or have that hard conversation you've been avoiding? Tune in to hear the powerful story of Desmond Doss praying "Lord, help me get one more" seventy-five times at Hacksaw Ridge, why early Christians had to practically invent a new word for Jesus's kind of love, and the challenge that if The Love of God abides in you, it will come out in compassion and generosity. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is celebrated annually on February 22nd to honor a wooden throne, enclosed in a massive bronze reliquary designed by Bernini, located in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Tradition claims the chair belonged to the Apostle Saint Peter, the leader of the Early Christians in Rome and first Pope, and which he used as Bishop of Rome in the 1st century A.D. The relic symbolizes the authority and mission of St. Peter as the first Pope and the teaching authority, or magisterium, of his successors. Books about Saint Peter at https://amzn.to/4c7U0RG ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Catholic Saints & Feasts of the Liturgical Year-February 22-Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle—Feast (Feb. 20, 2025); Saint of the Day podcast with Mike Roberts — Feast Day Of The Chair Of Saint Peter (22feb2025), Covenant Network. Audio excerpts reproduced under a Creative Commons license and the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monks and money don't seem to go together—but maybe they should. Early Christian monastics developed a biblical approach to possessions that offered freedom from fear and created space for generosity. Their example continues to resonate with believers navigating modern financial pressures.Dr. Shane Enete, Chair of the Finance Department at Biola University, joins the show today to help us explore what he calls “monk finances,” drawing on early Christian history to uncover insights that remain strikingly relevant today.Why Monks and Finances Feel Like OppositesFor many people, the idea of monks and money in the same sentence feels contradictory. That perception has historical roots.In the early centuries of the church, some believers reacted to growing spiritual complacency by withdrawing from society. These early monks sought lives of radical devotion and discipline. In extreme cases, they rejected material possessions entirely, viewing the physical world—and even the body itself—as spiritually dangerous.But this wasn't the final word on monastic life.Leaders like St. Anthony and St. Benedict helped reshape the movement. They recognized that God created the material world before the fall; therefore, possessions, work, and even money could be used for His glory. Instead of rejecting material things, they began developing thoughtful, disciplined ways to steward them.Out of that shift came a surprisingly rich theology of money.Recovering a Biblical View of PossessionsAs monastic communities formed, they began to rethink how Christians should live with resources.Rather than treating money as evil, they saw it as necessary for life—but not as a source of identity or security. Their approach emphasized moderation, equality, and shared responsibility.Their guiding principle was simple: Meet your needs, then help meet the needs of others.Money became a tool for self-sufficiency that led to hospitality, not a means of achieving independence from God. This perspective echoed the Apostle Paul's teaching to the early church, especially in communities wrestling with wealth and inequality.In many ways, the monks' worldview stands in contrast to modern financial culture. Where today's systems often prioritize accumulation and long-term personal security, the monastic tradition emphasized dependence on God and care for neighbor.Economic Sufficiency vs. Economic SecurityOne of the most striking insights from monastic life is the distinction between economic sufficiency and economic security.The monks worked hard. They cultivated gardens, produced goods, and provided for themselves. But they intentionally stopped short of building wealth for personal protection. Their goal was sufficiency—having enough to live and to share.A well-known story about St. Anthony illustrates this progression. After initially living in isolation, he began growing food to avoid burdening others. Eventually, he expanded his efforts to feed visitors and care for those who came seeking wisdom. His work produced enough for his needs and created margin for generosity. That pattern shaped monastic communities:Work diligentlyMeet basic needsCreate marginPractice hospitalityThey believed the danger came when financial planning shifted from provision to self-protection—when wealth began to replace trust in God.Guarding the Heart from the Love of MoneyMonks viewed wealth with a sober realism. They saw it as useful but spiritually risky.Money, they believed, has a way of whispering false assurances: “You're safe. You're secure. You don't need God.”To guard against this, monastic communities developed “rules of living”—structured rhythms that shaped how they worked, spent, and shared. These practices served as guardrails, protecting their hearts from drifting into consumption and self-reliance.The goal wasn't deprivation. It was clarity. They wanted money to remain a servant, never a master.The Power of an “Economy of Excess”One of the most compelling ideas to emerge from monastic life is what might be called an “economy of excess.”In many monasteries, individuals were trained not to consume everything they were given. Instead, they intentionally left a portion unused—placing it at the center of the table for others.Imagine a community of dozens of people, each holding back a small amount. The result was abundance. Tables overflowed, and anyone in need could be cared for.This practice created margin without requiring wealth.It also mirrors biblical principles found throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, landowners were instructed not to harvest their fields to the edges so the poor could gather what remained. The design was intentional: leave space for others, and generosity becomes woven into everyday life.When consumption stops short of the limit, community flourishes.Freedom from Financial AnxietyThe monks' approach offers a powerful corrective to modern financial anxiety.Today's culture often promotes endless striving—more income, more savings, more security. Yet the pursuit rarely ends. Wants expand, expectations rise, and contentment slips further away.Monastic wisdom points in another direction: simplify, define “enough,” and trust God with the rest.There is a surprising freedom in that posture. When life is not driven by maximizing consumption, gratitude grows. When security is not tied solely to accounts and assets, dependence on God deepens.Their example reminds us that peace is not found in having everything, but in needing less and sharing more.What We Can Learn TodayThe monks did not reject money. They reoriented it. They used resources to:Depend on GodCare for their communitiesPractice hospitalityServe the poorTheir lives challenge modern assumptions about success, security, and sufficiency. They invite believers to examine not just how money is used, but what role it plays in shaping the heart.Perhaps their most enduring lesson is this: Financial wisdom is not measured by accumulation, but by alignment—with God, with others, and with the purposes of His Kingdom.Ancient as it may seem, that vision speaks directly to our moment.———————————————————————————————————————Dr. Shane Enete's full article, “Monk Finances: The Economic Brilliance of Early Christian Monks,” appears in the latest issue of Faithful Steward magazine. When you become a FaithFi Partner with a monthly gift of $35 (or $400 annually), you'll receive Faithful Steward magazine and other exclusive resources to help you grow as a faithful steward. Visit FaithFi.com/Partner to learn more.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm working with a new financial advisor who's recommending an Allianz Index Advantage Plus annuity. He says it offers downside protection, no fees to us, and growth potential with gains that can be locked in several times a year. I'm not familiar with this—what should I know?My mom, my sister, and I all own a home together. When my mom passes away, will her share automatically be divided between us, or does something else happen legally?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Monk Finances: The Economic Brilliance of Early Christian Monks - Article by Dr. Shane Enete - Faithful Steward: Issue 4)Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful StewardshipWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Monks and money don’t seem to go together, but maybe they should. Early Christian monks had a biblical approach to possessions that offered freedom from fear and room for generosity. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Dr. Shane Enete joins Rob West to explain why the wisdom of the monks matters for believers today. Then, it’s on to your calls. That’s Faith and Finance Live . . . biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio. Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio. To join our team of supporters, click here.To support the ministry of FaithFi, click here.To learn more about Rob West, click here.To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The power of God is not accessed through religious performance, but through relationship with Christ—and when that relationship is real, it produces visible and costly transformation. Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

"Have I settled for a version of Christianity that works—but doesn’t transform?" Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

How did our modern culture get here—especially when it comes to sex, marriage, and family life? In this episode, Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Dr. Erkki Koskenniemi, a Finnish Lutheran pastor and scholar, to explore how closely today's world mirrors the ancient Greco-Roman world. Drawing from history, Scripture, and early Christian teaching, Dr. Koskenniemi explains what made Christians stand out in the Roman Empire—and what the Church can learn today as we increasingly live as a minority culture.About the GuestDr. Erkki Koskenniemi is a Finnish theologian, pastor, and educator with 40 years of teaching experience in classical studies and theology. Author of Love, Marriage and Family: Learning from the Early Christians. In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why modern Western culture increasingly resembles ancient Rome and GreeceWhat early Christians inherited from Jewish family ethicsHow infanticide and child exposure shaped ancient family lifeWhat set Christian marriage and sexual ethics apart in the Roman EmpireWhy clear teaching and strong Christian community are essential todayHow Christian parents can help young people navigate secular cultureWhat gives Dr. Koskenniemi hope for the Church todayResources MentionedLove, Marriage and Family: Learning from the Early Christians by Dr. Erkki KoskenniemiConcordia Publishing House – Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world.

"Don't pray for a lighter load; pray for a stronger back." Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

Leviticus study; Offerings rituals; Jesus was NOT a socialist; Defining Capitalism and Socialism; Means of production; Economic and political systems; What you produce is yours; The Jacob difference; Welfare from governments taken from your neighbor; System of Altars; Freewill offerings; Tithing; Sharing; Blood and sweat in the products you produce; Private property rights; Quotes on Kingdom Capitalism; Gen 1:28; Dominion?; Gen 34:10; Saving the compromised; Lev 25:10; Jubilee; Moses' provisions; Empowering the people; God wants you to own your labor; Be fruitful and multiply; Oba 1:17; Income tax; Fleshpots; Separation of Church and State; Is taxation theft?; 2 Thess 3:10; Biting your neighbor; Matt 25:14 Talents; Common sense?; Prov 10:22; Inheritance tax; Right to choose; Eph 4:28; Why altars and priests?; Early Christian communities; Private religion; Seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; 1 Tim 6:6; Human resources; Repentance; Love of money?; philaguria = covetousness; Acts 4:32 All things common; Squirrels and honeybees; Corporate capitalism?; Family - first corporation; Police?; Perfect savages?; Property rights; Consent; Buying/Selling interest; Intellectual property rights; People's courts; "Copyright"; Seeing your covetous practices; Q from Isabelle: Who is my neighbor?; "Love thy neighbor as thyself"; Your influence; Keyword = "love"; Telling neighbor the truth; God is love - inspiration in your heart; "Milk and meat"; Altars of clay and stone; Weakening the poor; Minister's mission; Men exploiting men; Follow Christ - Strengthen your society.

"EL OSCURO SECRETO DEL CELIBATO| PATRIARCA ANDRÉS TIRADO"https://youtu.be/6sQDrnNkSu4MATERIAL DE INVESTIGACIÓNhttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RrWSGrpS6T1XgoMLELi5iBYyqX-PKM9W?usp=sharingNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HISTORIA - ¿Cuándo y por qué se estableció el celibato obligatorio para los eclesiásticos? - https://historia.nationalgeographic.com.es/a/cuando-y-por-que-se-establecio-celibato-obligatorio-para-eclesiasticos_24520Bibliographía:Oxtord Dictionary ot Popes;H.C. Lea History of SacerdotalCelibacy in the Christian Church 1957;E. Schillebeeckx The Church with a Human Face 1985;J. McSorley Outline History of the Church by Centuries 1957;F.A.Foy (Ed.) 1990 CatholicAlmanac 1989;F.A.Foy (Ed.) 1990 CatholicAlmanac 1989;D.L. Carmody The Double Cross - Ordination, Abortion and Catholic Feminism 1986;P.K Jewtt The Ordination of Women 1980;A.F. Ide God's Girls - Ordination of Women in the Early Christian & Gnostic Churches 1986;E. Schüssler Fiorenza In Memory of Her 1984;P. DeRosa Vicars of Christ 1988.The Bad Popes, Chamberlin, E.R., Sutton History Classics, 1969 / Dorset; New Ed edition 2003.The Pope Encyclopedia: An A to Z of the Holy See , Matthew Bunson, Crown Trade Paperbacks, New York, 1995.The Papacy, Bernhard Schimmelpfennig, Columbia University Press, New York, 1984.Le douzième chiffre c'est le zéro, F. Ake. Calatorao University, Cimeria, 2018Lives of the Popes, Richard P. McBrien, Harper Collins, San Francisco, 1997.Papal Genealogy, George L. Williams, McFarland& Co., Jefferson, North Carolina, 1998.Sex Lives of the Popes, Nigel Cawthorne, Prion, London, 1996.Popes and Anti-Popes, John Wilcock, Xlibris Corporation, 2005.La véritable histoire des papes, Jean Mathieu-Rosay, Grancher, Paris, 1991.Papas sexualmente activoshttps://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Papas_sexualmente_activosDONACIONES: PAYPAL: https://paypal.me/OBISPOANDRESTIRADOFACEBOOK PAGINAShttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063452115636LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/arzobispo-andres-tirado-perez-b1b4a89a/CANAL DE WHATSAAP EXORCISTA PATRIARCA ANDRES TIRADO https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaY3VsHCxoAthlCKuA3tINSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/obispoandrestirado/?hl=es-laTWITTERhttps://twitter.com/PADREANDRESYOUTUBEhttps://www.youtube.com/user/CONGREGACIONCSI/videosTIK TOK OBISPO ANDRÉS TIRADOhttps://www.tiktok.com/@obispoandrestirado?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcPodcast Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/s?k=ARZOBISPO+ANDRES+TIRADO&ref=dp_byline_sr_all_1Podcast Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/69Lpc3zoOkp0FoFSp6USM2Congregación Sacerdotal Internacional – Católicos IndependientesNO representamos a la Iglesia Católica Apostólica RomanaWEB: www.congregacionsacerdotal.orgE-mail padreandrestirado@gmail.com

"What does it mean for me to take captive all my thoughts and make them obedient to Christ?" Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

Midlands Correspondent, Sinead Hussey, reports on human remains uncovered at a monastic site in Co Offaly last year.

Kung may nakita kang tao na nag-aantanda o nag-Sign of the Cross, malaki ang chance na Katoliko siya.

The Gospel is not a disruption of the natural order, but a restoration of it. To a world living upside down in sin, the truth of Jesus Christ appears as an upheaval. The Bible is the touchstone of truth; when it contradicts our feelings or culture, it’s revealing how far off course we are. Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

Life Upside Down - Pt 1 - 1 Thessalonians is one of the earliest letters we have that documents early Christianity. Why is this letter important to us today?

Early Christian reflection centers on the conviction that “in Christ” every thing is being held together. Rooted in God's love and articulated in texts like Ephesians, we get a bird's-eye-view of God, the world, Jesus, the church, the meaning of salvation, and what it means to be genuinely human. And this vision affirms that our essential nature is found not in religious markers or achievements but in faith actively expressed through love, thereby displaying to the world what fully human life was always meant to be.POEM GEORGE READ IN OUR GATHERING A Lessening I do not plan to start anew in January that is for spring this is the night in the dead of winter where I pare back excessto reach the bones of my life so when I am rèborn I am reborn as only my most essential nature.David Gate, A Rebellion of Care

"Let worship INVADE your circumstances" Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

What did Peter preach about? Was it important in the early church? Let's find out together as we read Acts 2:22-36 and Psalm 16.#ApostolicTeaching #ChristianPriorities #CoreMessage #ResurrectionOfJesus #Psalm16 #MessianicPsalm #PetersSermom #EarlyChurchValues #FirstCentury #ChristianFoundations #ApostlesTeaching #ResurrectionProof #DavidProphecy #ChurchPriorities #BiblicalValues

Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

Episode Notes:Key Takeaways:Jesus didn't leave room for us to call him just a good teacher.The earliest documents we have show Jesus making divine claims.Jesus' followers worshiped him as God from the very beginning—and they were Jews who knew better.Scripture References:Mark 2 - Jesus forgives sins (authority that belongs only to God)John 8:58 - "Before Abraham was, I am" (claiming the divine name)John 10:30 - "I and the Father are one"John 8:24 - "Unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins"Philippians 2:6-11 - Early Christian hymn affirming Jesus' divinityJohn 20:28 - Thomas declares "My Lord and my God"Quotes: "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with a man who says he's a poached egg—or he would be the devil of hell." - C.S. LewisHistorical Context:Gospel of Mark: written ~65-70 AD (within 35 years of Jesus' death)Paul's letters: 1 Corinthians written ~53-55 AD (20-25 years after Jesus)Philippians 2 hymn: possibly from the 40s AD (within 10-15 years)This Week's Question to Consider: If Jesus is who he claimed to be, what does that mean for your life today?Next Week: If Jesus is God, why did he pray?Connect with Pastor John-Connections Pastor Saint Mark Church - Little Rock, ArkansasSubscribe & Share: If this episode helped you wrestle with faith, share it with someone who has questions. New episodes every week.

In this recent monograph Sarcasm in Paul's Letters (Cambridge University Press 2023, Matthew Pawlak offers the first treatment of sarcasm in New Testament studies. He provides an extensive analysis of sarcastic passages across the undisputed letters of Paul, showing where Paul is sarcastic, and how his sarcasm affects our understanding of his rhetoric and relationships with the Early Christian congregations in Galatia, Rome, and Corinth. Pawlak's identification of sarcasm is supported by a dataset of 400 examples drawn from a broad range of ancient texts, including major case studies on Septuagint Job, the prophets, and Lucian of Samosata. These data enable the determination of the typical linguistic signals of sarcasm in ancient Greek, as well as its rhetorical functions. Pawlak also addresses several ongoing discussions in Pauline scholarship. His volume advances our understanding of the abrupt opening of Galatians, diatribe and Paul's hypothetical interlocutor in Romans, the 'Corinthian slogans' of First Corinthians, and the 'fool's speech' found within Second Corinthians 10-13. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

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In this recent monograph Sarcasm in Paul's Letters (Cambridge University Press 2023, Matthew Pawlak offers the first treatment of sarcasm in New Testament studies. He provides an extensive analysis of sarcastic passages across the undisputed letters of Paul, showing where Paul is sarcastic, and how his sarcasm affects our understanding of his rhetoric and relationships with the Early Christian congregations in Galatia, Rome, and Corinth. Pawlak's identification of sarcasm is supported by a dataset of 400 examples drawn from a broad range of ancient texts, including major case studies on Septuagint Job, the prophets, and Lucian of Samosata. These data enable the determination of the typical linguistic signals of sarcasm in ancient Greek, as well as its rhetorical functions. Pawlak also addresses several ongoing discussions in Pauline scholarship. His volume advances our understanding of the abrupt opening of Galatians, diatribe and Paul's hypothetical interlocutor in Romans, the 'Corinthian slogans' of First Corinthians, and the 'fool's speech' found within Second Corinthians 10-13.

In this recent monograph Sarcasm in Paul's Letters (Cambridge University Press 2023, Matthew Pawlak offers the first treatment of sarcasm in New Testament studies. He provides an extensive analysis of sarcastic passages across the undisputed letters of Paul, showing where Paul is sarcastic, and how his sarcasm affects our understanding of his rhetoric and relationships with the Early Christian congregations in Galatia, Rome, and Corinth. Pawlak's identification of sarcasm is supported by a dataset of 400 examples drawn from a broad range of ancient texts, including major case studies on Septuagint Job, the prophets, and Lucian of Samosata. These data enable the determination of the typical linguistic signals of sarcasm in ancient Greek, as well as its rhetorical functions. Pawlak also addresses several ongoing discussions in Pauline scholarship. His volume advances our understanding of the abrupt opening of Galatians, diatribe and Paul's hypothetical interlocutor in Romans, the 'Corinthian slogans' of First Corinthians, and the 'fool's speech' found within Second Corinthians 10-13. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/christian-studies

Peculiar people; More than mindless rituals; "Yahweh"; Seeking His kingdom and His righteousness; False teachings; "Altars"; God calling out people; Ekklesia; How to seek the kingdom of God; Repentant Jacob; Melchizedek; Dainties of rulers; Sureties for debt; Error of Baalam/Deeds of Nicolaitan = conquered people; Making the word of God to none effect; Freewill offerings alone; If you want God to hear you…; The "ways"; Free bread?; Corruption; Early Christian practices; Lk 22:25, Mk 10:42, Mt 20:25; 2 Pe 2:3 - becoming merchandise; "Abimelech"; Eyes full of Adultery?; "Corban"; National adultery?; Cursing your children; Isa 42:16; Isa 30:20; Doing what Christ said; Mt 13:13; Mt 15:14 Blind leading the blind; Lk 4:18; Divine spark; "Congregation"; Agreement = one accord; Does your church care about you?; "Burnt offerings"; Owning things in common; Social Safety Net?; Burying false gods; Following Christ; Lev 1:2; King of force? Molech; Faith in the ways of Christ; Free assemblies; Altars of clay; Ex 17:15; Nissi?; Welfare systems; Ex 20:24; CHARITY; Levites; Jude 1:11; The name of Christ; "Religion"; Your duty to God and your fellow man; She song of Moses and of The Lamb; Blind guides; Strengthening the poor; Separate Levites; Burning lamp; Lacking faith; "Aaron"; Fire on the altar?; Wood: ayin-tzedek+yod+mem; Rightly dividing; Gen 1:11; Gen 2:9; Deut 8:7; Ps 1:4; Not burning up sheep!; "Array" = order; Minnesota corruption; Ways of righteousness?; The Real Jesus - are you doing what He said; "Leaven" = Oppresion; Socialism; Lev 1:14; Turtledoves?; tav-resh+yod+mem; 1 Sam 8; Repent!; Create altars of righteousness; burn = kuf-resh-tzedek = Give up entirely; Flow of social welfare - weekly; Check on your neighbor; Christ's commands; Sit in Tens, Hundreds and Thousands; Loving one another; Prophets of the Beast; Sweet Savor unto the LORD? Gen 8:21; Ex 29:18; Laying down your life for your fellowman; Electing rulers; Covetousness; Unrighteousness; Idolatry; Bondage; Mt 20:25; Think like Christ!

Johannes Zachhuber and Anna Marmodoro, eds., Gregory of Nyssa: On the Hexaemeron: Text, Translation, and Essays (Oxford UP, 2025) This book presents Gregory of Nyssa's On the Six Days of Creation (In Hexaemeron) as a specimen of Early Christian philosophy. It comprises Gregory of Nyssa's text in its Greek original accompanied by a new English translation, and seven accompanying essays by international specialists from diverse backgrounds. Each essay focuses on a section of the text and the arising philosophical issues. The essays complement each other in offering multiple perspectives on how Gregory's text may be approached philosophically and positioned in relation to other, more or less contiguous, philosophical theories, including the early Greeks Anaxagoras and Empedocles, Aristotle, and the Stoics. Rather than presenting a definite and exhaustive state of the art study of Gregory's text, this volume aims to open new pathways for research into In Hexaemeron. New Books in Late Antiquity is presented by Ancient Jew Review Johannes Zachhuber is professor of historical and systematic theology at Oxford. His books include Human Nature in Greogry of Nyssa, The Rise of Christian Theology and the End of Ancient Metaphysics, and Time and the Soul: from Aristotle to Augustine. Anna Marmodoro is Leonard and Elizabeth Eslick Professor of Philosophy at St. Louis University. She's written or edited half a dozen books including Metaphysics: an Introduction; Forms and Structures in Plato's Metaphysics; Aristotle on Perceiving Objects, and most recently she co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Omnipresence. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Johannes Zachhuber and Anna Marmodoro, eds., Gregory of Nyssa: On the Hexaemeron: Text, Translation, and Essays (Oxford UP, 2025) This book presents Gregory of Nyssa's On the Six Days of Creation (In Hexaemeron) as a specimen of Early Christian philosophy. It comprises Gregory of Nyssa's text in its Greek original accompanied by a new English translation, and seven accompanying essays by international specialists from diverse backgrounds. Each essay focuses on a section of the text and the arising philosophical issues. The essays complement each other in offering multiple perspectives on how Gregory's text may be approached philosophically and positioned in relation to other, more or less contiguous, philosophical theories, including the early Greeks Anaxagoras and Empedocles, Aristotle, and the Stoics. Rather than presenting a definite and exhaustive state of the art study of Gregory's text, this volume aims to open new pathways for research into In Hexaemeron. New Books in Late Antiquity is presented by Ancient Jew Review Johannes Zachhuber is professor of historical and systematic theology at Oxford. His books include Human Nature in Greogry of Nyssa, The Rise of Christian Theology and the End of Ancient Metaphysics, and Time and the Soul: from Aristotle to Augustine. Anna Marmodoro is Leonard and Elizabeth Eslick Professor of Philosophy at St. Louis University. She's written or edited half a dozen books including Metaphysics: an Introduction; Forms and Structures in Plato's Metaphysics; Aristotle on Perceiving Objects, and most recently she co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Omnipresence. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

Johannes Zachhuber and Anna Marmodoro, eds., Gregory of Nyssa: On the Hexaemeron: Text, Translation, and Essays (Oxford UP, 2025) This book presents Gregory of Nyssa's On the Six Days of Creation (In Hexaemeron) as a specimen of Early Christian philosophy. It comprises Gregory of Nyssa's text in its Greek original accompanied by a new English translation, and seven accompanying essays by international specialists from diverse backgrounds. Each essay focuses on a section of the text and the arising philosophical issues. The essays complement each other in offering multiple perspectives on how Gregory's text may be approached philosophically and positioned in relation to other, more or less contiguous, philosophical theories, including the early Greeks Anaxagoras and Empedocles, Aristotle, and the Stoics. Rather than presenting a definite and exhaustive state of the art study of Gregory's text, this volume aims to open new pathways for research into In Hexaemeron. New Books in Late Antiquity is presented by Ancient Jew Review Johannes Zachhuber is professor of historical and systematic theology at Oxford. His books include Human Nature in Greogry of Nyssa, The Rise of Christian Theology and the End of Ancient Metaphysics, and Time and the Soul: from Aristotle to Augustine. Anna Marmodoro is Leonard and Elizabeth Eslick Professor of Philosophy at St. Louis University. She's written or edited half a dozen books including Metaphysics: an Introduction; Forms and Structures in Plato's Metaphysics; Aristotle on Perceiving Objects, and most recently she co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Omnipresence. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ancient bound books hidden in Jordan's caves for 2,000 years — The Lead Codices. David Elkington returns LIVE to share exclusive news on this discovery that could rewrite early Christianity. This Sunday we welcome back David Elkington, author of The Ancient Language of Sacred Sound and returning guest from Episode 280. David joins us with exclusive news about his latest project: The Lead Codices — a cache of ancient bound books discovered in caves in northern Jordan. Made of lead sheets bound with rings and stored in lead “arks,” these codices may be the earliest bound books ever found, dating back nearly 2,000 years. Inscribed in Paleo-Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the texts are linked to the earliest followers of Jesus who fled Jerusalem during the Judeo-Roman war. Scientific analysis confirms their antiquity, with corrosion profiles consistent with artifacts from the first century. Could these mysterious codices rewrite our understanding of early Christianity? Join us LIVE as David reveals the story behind their discovery, the ongoing research, and why they matter today.

Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

Did Early Christians Invent Christmas? Did Christians really “invent” Christmas, or is the story far deeper than the myths we hear every year? In this episode, Dr. Walt uncovers what the earliest Christians believed, how December 25 was chosen, and why claims of pagan origins fall apart under real history. You'll learn the truth about Sol Invictus, Saturnalia, and the theology that shaped the celebration of Jesus' birth.  If you've ever wondered whether Christmas is biblical or borrowed, this episode will give you solid answers.  Don't miss this eye-opening look at one of the most debated topics in Christian history. Audio only and video: https://truthunbound.podbean.com/ Truth Unbound website: https://truthunbound.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnbound YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TruthUnboundMinistries Info@TruthUnbound.org https://lbu.edu  

Did Early Christians Invent Christmas? Did Christians really “invent” Christmas, or is the story far deeper than the myths we hear every year? In this episode, Dr. Walt uncovers what the earliest Christians believed, how December 25 was chosen, and why claims of pagan origins fall apart under real history. You'll learn the truth about Sol Invictus, Saturnalia, and the theology that shaped the celebration of Jesus' birth.  If you've ever wondered whether Christmas is biblical or borrowed, this episode will give you solid answers.  Don't miss this eye-opening look at one of the most debated topics in Christian history. Audio only and video: https://truthunbound.podbean.com/ Truth Unbound website: https://truthunbound.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnbound YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TruthUnboundMinistries Info@TruthUnbound.org https://lbu.edu  

Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

Mary's Influence on Early Christian Teachings: Colleague James Tabor examines the "Q" source containing teachings shared by Matthew and Luke that parallel the words of James and John the Baptist, positing that Mary, as the mother, was the source of this shared wisdom, arguing that historians must reclaim her humanity and influence from theological erasure. 1947 GALILEE

The Historical Disappearance of Mary: Colleague James Tabor explains that following the crucifixion, Mary disappears from the biblical record, likely dying before the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem; while early Christians fled to Pella under Simon's leadership, traditions suggest Mary died on Mount Zion, with Tabor arguing she was "written out" of the story by later traditions. 1650

Early Christians relied on oral tradition since that was the norm in education, not only for them but for all ancient people. There were also many times when Christians intentionally did not write important things down. Is there any evidence that oral tradition is reliable?

Early Christians relied on oral tradition since that was the norm in education, not only for them but for all ancient people. There were also many times when Christians intentionally did not write important things down. Is there any evidence that oral tradition is reliable?

Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

Jesus declared that his disciples would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Early Christians lived out this proclamation in powerful and palpable ways. Today we struggle to witness to those close to us, let alone to those at the ends of the earth. This series offers a glimpse into ways early Christians witnessed. Impacted? Let us know: Creekside.Me/Respond Miss a sermon in this series? Watch them all at Creekside.me/sermons

This is my relatively short talk given during the 2025 Plato's Academy multidisciplinary conference: The Philosophy and Psychology of Anger, during which I discuss some of the useful insights and practices early Christian thinkers (2nd-5th Century CE) can provide us. These don't require one to be committed to Christianity and can be applied by a wide range of people. I begin with a passage from Pierre Hadot's book Philosophy As A Way Of Life: "[Christians] believed they recognized spiritual exercises, which they had learned through philosophy, in specific scriptural passages . . . The reason why Christian authors paid attention to these particular biblical passages, was that they were already familiar, from other sources, with the spiritual exercises of prosokhē, meditation on death, and examination of the conscience.” What Hadot calls “spiritual exercises” gets called by a variety of other terms by other thinkers. Foucault's "technologies of the self", Nussbaum's "therapeutic arguments", as well as the more general "philosophical practices" many of us reference in our work and study. What we can say about these early Christian thinkers is that many had a philosophical education, had opportunities to engage with pagan philosophical schools, some of which had pretty strong religious stances, with precursor and contemporary Jewish thought, and with a variety of other disciplines like rhetoric, medicine, literature, political theory, law, history, music, etc. There was already a strong interest in issues about anger already raised and debated in ancient philosophy including: vicious anger, can anger have useful role, dangers of indulging or excusing anger, anger and courage or justice, types or levels of anger, divine anger. Early Christian thinkers rely upon or incorporating broadly Platonic psychology, and ethical conceptions drawn from Platonist, Stoic, and Aristotelian schools, but within a framework Christianity provides. The thinkers I reference and discuss in this presentation include: 2nd-4th Century CE: Clement of Alexandria 150 – c. 215 AD, Tertullian 155 – c. 220, Origen 185 – c. 253, Lactantius 250 – c. 325 4th 5th century CE: Basil of Caesarea 330 – 379, Gregory of Nyssa 335, Evagrius Ponticus 345–399 AD, John Chrysostom 347-407, Ambrose 339-397, Jerome 342–347-420, Prudentius 348-413?, John Cassian 360 – 435, Augustine of Hippo 354-430 Some of the key scriptural passages they tend to engage most heavily with include: A number of discussions of anger in Pre-Christian Jewish scriptures, particularly in the Psalms, Proverbs, and Sirach The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, Paul's Letter To Ephesians, and the Letter of James There is a stress on identifying and dealing with vices that involve anger, but also on developing virtues of Patience, Humility, Mercy, and Forgiveness. They also adopt, develop, and discuss a number of useful practices for lessening, understanding, or dealing with anger.

Join Pastor Lucas Miles as he delivers a timely message addressing the growing cultural shift toward pagan and post-Christian worldviews. In this sermon, Pastor Lucas emphasizes that the challenge facing the church is not individual people, but the larger attempt to replace the Christian worldview with spiritual substitutes that promise meaning yet lead people away from the truth of the Gospel. He explains why the church must understand both the moment we're living in and the direction society is moving—preparing to become the “Church of Tomorrow” by standing firm with clarity, conviction, and grace.Throughout the message, Pastor Lucas highlights the importance of open dialogue within the church, pointing to our upcoming “Ask Me Anything” Sunday as an opportunity for honest questions and deeper discipleship. He also unpacks the significance of communion as a reminder of Christ's victory and the transformation available to every believer. Drawing from early church history, he shows how Christians in ancient Rome defended their faith against false accusations and makes clear the parallels to modern criticisms of Christianity today—accusations of bigotry, judgmentalism, and irrelevance.Pastor Lucas then explores humanity's built-in awareness of God and explains how suppressing that truth leads to spiritual confusion and the rise of alternative belief systems. He addresses the increasing popularity of modern spiritual trends—earth worship, reincarnation, astrology, manifestation, chakras, and globalism—revealing how the desires behind these beliefs ultimately point back to what only Christ can fulfill. The message concludes with a call to reestablish the goodness of God in people's hearts, demolish arguments that set themselves against the knowledge of God, and invite those seeking spiritual truth to find their answers in Jesus.Key Themes: • The rise of pagan and post-Christian worldviews • Preparing to be the “Church of Tomorrow” • The importance of open dialogue (“Ask Me Anything” Sunday) • Communion and the victory of Christ • Early Christian apologetics and modern accusations • Humanity's innate awareness of God • The pursuit of spirituality in all the wrong places • Reestablishing God's goodness in a confused culture • Calling seekers to truth found only in JesusTimestamps:3:21 — The Church of Tomorrow & Facing Cultural Threats 3:40 — The Rise of Post-Christian & Pagan Worldviews 3:59 — Paganism, Marxism & Competing Ideologies 4:17 — Understanding Today to Prepare for Tomorrow 4:54 — A New “Apology”: Defending the Christian Faith 5:59 — Early Church Apologetics: Justin Martyr & Rome 7:27 — Accusations Faced by Early Christians 12:21 — Modern Accusations Against the Church 13:46 — Romans 1: Awareness & Suppression of God 17:03 — The Search for Meaning & Spiritual Confusion 21:44 — Pagan Pursuits vs. Fulfillment in Christ 26:14 — Globalism & the Kingdom of God

Join Pastor Lucas Miles as he delivers a timely message addressing the growing cultural shift toward pagan and post-Christian worldviews. In this sermon, Pastor Lucas emphasizes that the challenge facing the church is not individual people, but the larger attempt to replace the Christian worldview with spiritual substitutes that promise meaning yet lead people away from the truth of the Gospel. He explains why the church must understand both the moment we're living in and the direction society is moving—preparing to become the “Church of Tomorrow” by standing firm with clarity, conviction, and grace.Throughout the message, Pastor Lucas highlights the importance of open dialogue within the church, pointing to our upcoming “Ask Me Anything” Sunday as an opportunity for honest questions and deeper discipleship. He also unpacks the significance of communion as a reminder of Christ's victory and the transformation available to every believer. Drawing from early church history, he shows how Christians in ancient Rome defended their faith against false accusations and makes clear the parallels to modern criticisms of Christianity today—accusations of bigotry, judgmentalism, and irrelevance.Pastor Lucas then explores humanity's built-in awareness of God and explains how suppressing that truth leads to spiritual confusion and the rise of alternative belief systems. He addresses the increasing popularity of modern spiritual trends—earth worship, reincarnation, astrology, manifestation, chakras, and globalism—revealing how the desires behind these beliefs ultimately point back to what only Christ can fulfill. The message concludes with a call to reestablish the goodness of God in people's hearts, demolish arguments that set themselves against the knowledge of God, and invite those seeking spiritual truth to find their answers in Jesus.Key Themes: • The rise of pagan and post-Christian worldviews • Preparing to be the “Church of Tomorrow” • The importance of open dialogue (“Ask Me Anything” Sunday) • Communion and the victory of Christ • Early Christian apologetics and modern accusations • Humanity's innate awareness of God • The pursuit of spirituality in all the wrong places • Reestablishing God's goodness in a confused culture • Calling seekers to truth found only in JesusTimestamps:3:21 — The Church of Tomorrow & Facing Cultural Threats 3:40 — The Rise of Post-Christian & Pagan Worldviews 3:59 — Paganism, Marxism & Competing Ideologies 4:17 — Understanding Today to Prepare for Tomorrow 4:54 — A New “Apology”: Defending the Christian Faith 5:59 — Early Church Apologetics: Justin Martyr & Rome 7:27 — Accusations Faced by Early Christians 12:21 — Modern Accusations Against the Church 13:46 — Romans 1: Awareness & Suppression of God 17:03 — The Search for Meaning & Spiritual Confusion 21:44 — Pagan Pursuits vs. Fulfillment in Christ 26:14 — Globalism & the Kingdom of God

This is a podcast of a guest sermon, given by invitation to the Unitarian Universalist Community of Rock Tavern. In it, I discuss anger as a common problem not only of our own times, but of all times. Christian teachings on anger present us with some "hard sayings," and several 4th century thinkers -- John Cassian, Augustine of Hippo, and John Chrysostom -- are very helpful for understanding how to live with and live out these difficult requirements. A transcript of the sermon is available here: https://www.academia.edu/14942379/_And_Whoever_is_Angry_With_His_Brother_Early_Christian_Insights_A

Dr. Ken Schurb of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod The post Early Christian Creeds, Part 4 – Dr. Ken Schurb, 11/7/25 (3111) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Ken Schurb of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod The post Early Christian Creeds, Part 3 – Dr. Ken Schurb, 10/31/25 (3042) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Ken Schurb of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod The post Early Christian Creeds, Part 2 – Dr. Ken Schurb, 10/24/25 (2971) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Dr. Ken Schurb of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod The post Early Christian Creeds, Part 1 – Dr. Ken Schurb, 10/17/25 (2901) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Galatians Summary Thanks to everyone who supports TMBH at patreon.com/thetmbhpodcast You're the reason we can all do this together! Discuss the episode here Music by Jeff Foote

Candida Moss is a historian of Christianity and author of The Myth of Persecution: How Early Christians Invented a Story of Martyrdom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices