Podcast appearances and mentions of Mark A Noll

For our December episode on books, we, the CPT staff, have been reading (and, on this occasion, watching):JRR Tolkien, Return of the King, (1955)Mark A. Noll, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind (1995)Stephen King, Carrie (1974)Cormac McCarthy, The Border Trilogy, (1999)Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen, American Nietzsche: A History of an Icon and His Idea, 2011Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. (2024)

While he never visited America, C.S. Lewis and his works have greatly impacted the American religious landscape. While many general readers associate Lewis primarily with The Chronicles of Narnia (1950), before his appearance on the cover of Time in 1947 Americans viewed C.S. Lewis quite differently. In this week's episode Drs. Crystal and David C. Downing sit down to interview Dr. Mark A. Noll about his new book C.S. Lewis in America: Readings and Reception, 1935–1947 (2024). Stay tuned until the end to learn how you can get a discounted (and signed) copy of Dr. Noll's book.

This is the third and final part of our series where we reviewed a set of statements put forth by the Episcopal Fellowship for Renewal. Shownotes: In this episode, Andrew mentions the article "Those Hyper-Politicized Evangelicals" by Timothy Dalrymple.  James mentions the book Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark A. Noll

Perhaps no other literary figure has transformed the American religious landscape in recent history as much as C. S. Lewis. But who exactly was reading his work? And how was he received? With fresh research and shrewd analysis, noted historian Mark A. Noll considers the surprising reception of Lewis among Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant, and evangelical readers to see how early readings of the Oxford don shaped his later influence. It was a treat to have this conversation with one of the leading historians of our day. Youtube - https://youtu.be/NAQAFI-cik0Audio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcastApple -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4Planning your church's small group curriculum? Check out my Contender Course and Heaven Course! Find out more here - courses.andymilleriii.comAnd don't forget about my new book Contender, which is available on Amazon! Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching. Today's episode is brought to you by these two sponsors: Bill Roberts is a financial advisor, who has been serving the retirement planning and investment needs of individuals, families, non-profits, and churches for 25 years. He is a Certified Financial Planner and accredited investment fiduciary. Bill specializes in working with Salvation Army employees and officers by helping them realize their financial goals.  You can find out more about Bill's business at www.WilliamHRoberts.comANDWesley Biblical Seminary - Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.eduThanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

Um julgamento de "bruxas" no vilarejo de Salem/MA marcou o começo do fim para o domínio puritano na Nova Inglaterra. Discutimos a atuação dos quakers, a fundação de Rhode Island e da Pensilvânia, o surgimento dos metodistas e do movimento de reavivação religiosa chamado o Primeiro Grande Despertar (1730-1740), crucial para a formação da noção de Estado laico tão importante para democracias modernas. Bibliografia e filmografia consultada American Experience: The Pilgrims - (documentário da PBS). Bremer, Francis J. Anne Hutchinson: Troubler of the Puritan Zion. New York: W.B. Eerdmans, 1981. Hart, D.G.; Mark A. Noll (ed). Dictionary of the Presbyterian and Reformed Tradition in America. Downers Grove, IL:InterVarsity Press, 1999. Lovejoy, David S. Religious Enthusiasm in the New World: Heresy to Revolution. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1985. God in America (documentário da PBS) McLoughlin, William G. Rhode Island: A History. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1986. Pennell, Melissa McFarland. The Historian's Scarlet Letter. Reading Nathaniel Hawthorne's Masterpiece As Social and Cultural History. Praeger, 2018 Stout, Harry S. The New England Soul: Preaching and Religious Culture in Colonial New England. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986. Taylor, Alan. American Colonies. NY: Penguin Books, 2002. Winslow, Ola Elizabeth. Master Roger Williams: A Biography. New York: Macmillan, 1957. Música de desfescho: Fehlfarben. Magnificent Obsession (1983)

Today we discuss The Civil War and what we can learn from the theology that supported it. We hope you'll find it as interesting as we did. NOTES: This is Scott's book report on The Civil War as a Theological Crisis by Mark A. Noll. We reference Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address which is always worth revisiting! RECAP & TAKEAWAYS: How you interpret the Bible matters. You are a creature of your context. Be humble. Do the hard work to make sure you get it right. Interpret the Bible in a community. You can be biased by your own needs, context and story. An outside perspective is helpful. It is easy to over-read God's providential leading through circumstances. God's work is best seen in retrospect. Even then, you can see where he providentially directed, but not necessarily why he did it! GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you. Please send us an email or question at comment@cithonahillpodcast.com. MUSIC: Little Lily Swing, Tri-Tachyon, Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International, https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Tri-Tachyon/the-kleptotonic-ep/little-lily-swing Sorry, Comfort Fit, Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Germany (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 DE), https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Comfort_Fit/Forget_And_Remember/03_Sorry

Heartland's Tim Benson is joined by Mark A. Noll, Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame, to discuss his new book, America's Book: The Rise and Decline of a Bible Civilization, 1794-1911. They chat about how the Bible decisively shaped American national history even as that history influenced the use of Scripture, and how a strongly Protestant Bible civilization was fractured by debates over slavery, contested by growing numbers of non-Protestants, and torn apart by the Civil War. They also talk about how the more religiously plural period from Reconstruction to the early 20th Century saw Scripture become a much more fragmented, though still significant, force in American culture.Get the book here:  https://global.oup.com/academic/product/americas-book-9780197623466?q=america%27s%20book&lang=en&cc=usShow Notes:Wall Street Journal: D.G. Hart – “‘America's Book' Review: The Word Out of Season” https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-book-review-the-word-out-of-season-11651009649

Heartland's Tim Benson is joined by Mark A. Noll, Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame, to discuss his new book, America's Book: The Rise and Decline of a Bible Civilization, 1794-1911. They chat about how the Bible decisively shaped American national history even as that history influenced the use of Scripture, and how a strongly Protestant Bible civilization was fractured by debates over slavery, contested by growing numbers of non-Protestants, and torn apart by the Civil War. They also talk about how the more religiously plural period from Reconstruction to the early 20th Century saw Scripture become a much more fragmented, though still significant, force in American culture.Get the book here:  https://global.oup.com/academic/product/americas-book-9780197623466?q=america%27s%20book&lang=en&cc=usShow Notes:Wall Street Journal: D.G. Hart – “‘America's Book' Review: The Word Out of Season” https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-book-review-the-word-out-of-season-11651009649

Preferring a narrowly defined gospel, why have so many American evangelicals in recent decades not invested more in intellectual pursuits? Mark A. Noll here in 'The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind' wants to know, and we should want to know along with him. As he opens, "The scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind." Yet there are a few surprising gems here. For example, Noll confirms a suspicion I recently arrived at from reading other things, that German pietism has had a few hundred years at this point to emphasize the importance of feelings in the Christian life in a way that has gradually displaced the former preeminence which cultivating the life of the Christian mind enjoyed in the Church. This has left the Church in America especially vulnerable to a lot of nonsense, ignorance, and unreasonableness. Yet Noll seems not to connect sufficiently the link between the condescension of liberal theology having administratively dominated American higher education and K-12 over the past century to the evacuation of conservative evangelical Christians from this space, even though these are two sides of the same coin. The Democratization of American Christianity by Nathan O. Hatch is referenced helpfully. However, Noll as a Progressive Christian comes across as fussy and whiny at points in a way that is unbecoming and not selling the merit where it is to be found in many of his anecdotes and observations. Where he complains early and often about Creationism and fundamentalism, for instance, I cannot agree with him. Rather, I am offended because he is being rude and presumptuous - only all the more so because I myself am a Creationist. But there is more. Noll also seems to be not drawing the relationship correctly between presuming that science on the terms of the positivist has ascended even as conservative Christians have been pushed out of every kind of debate in secular and Statist institutions. But where respectable intellectuals are defined by their adherence to progressive presuppositions, the complaint that few to no conservative intellectuals qualify as such or are celebrated seems disingenuous. But where I appreciate most what Noll has to say is in his call for restoring a long, rich tradition in Christianity of scholarship, intellectual rigor, study of the natural world, and engagement in every sphere of science to the glory of God. This is well, and the American Church would do well to heed this. At the same time, Noll's prescription for how to do this is narrower-minded than Rod Dreher's Live Not By Lies, for instance. Where Dreher calls more recently for more Christian home education and adult education, Noll seems to have eyes only for higher education and the academy on the terms of secularists and liberals, with scant room if any left for conservative Christians whom Noll seems to lump into a kind of basket of deplorables for American Christendom with the moniker 'Fundamentalists.' Yet I would challenge Noll and those taken with his survey to consider situations like mine and my neighbor JP Chavez's - who read this book before I did, and recommended it to me - where we read and discuss all these important books like Noll's, and are endeavoring to cultivate the life of the mind to honor God, lead our families well, and serve our local church with an eye to the rich history of not just Christian life, but also thought. Where Noll at times comes across as a bit of an elitist, I think his facts and historical treatment of evangelical Christianity in America is generally helpful, yet could have been much more helpful without the condescension and self-aggrandizing of a particularly narrow vision of cultivating Christian intellect. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/garrett-ashley-mullet/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/garrett-ashley-mullet/support

A conversation about the misunderstandings and nuances on the notion of worldview. Mark A. Noll, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind (Eerdmans, 1995); Abraham Kuyper, "Our instinctive life" in James Bratt (ed.), Abraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader (Eerdmans, 1998) Herman Bavinck, Christian Worldview (Crossway, 2019) Gray Sutanto and Cory Brock (eds.) T&T Clark Handbook of Neo-Calvinism (T&T Clark, forthcoming) Barton Swaim, "The Expertocracy" in Washington Examiner (May 12, 2017) Jason Ananda Josephson Storm, Metamodernism: The Future of Theory (2021) Johan H. Bavinck, Persoonlijkheid en wereldbeschouwing (1924) The English translation, Personality and Worldview is forthcoming with Crossway. Tom Holland, Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind (2019) Todd Weir, Secularism and Religion in Nineteenth-Century Germany: The Rise of the Fourth Confession (Cambridge UP, 2014 ) Toshihiko Izutsu, Ethico-Religious Concepts in the Qur'an (2002) Jean Marie Rouart, Ce pays des hommes sans Dieu (Bouquins, 2021) Herman Bavinck, Christian Scholarship (forthcoming)

The four hosts of the podcasts with their affiliation: James Eglinton (New College, University of Edinburgh) Gray Sutanto (Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington D.C.) Cory Brock, (St Columba's Free Church, Edinburgh) Marinus de Jong (Oosterparkkerk, Amsterdam, Neo-Calvinism Research Institute, Kampen|Utrecht). Two people we have mentioned (and will be mentioning a lot) are the two founding fathers of neo-Calvinism: Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) and Herman Bavinck (1854-1921). Both Kuyper and Bavinck have several biographies. We recommend these two in English: James Bratt, Abraham Kuyper: Modern Calvinist, Christian Democrat (Eerdmans, 2013); James Eglinton, Herman Bavinck: A Critical Biography (Baker, 2021). See https://www.neocalvinism.org/ for sources and more. We discussed the alteration of the Belgic Confession, an important Reformed Confession in the Netherlands that dates back to the 16th century. Below is the line from Article 36 that was altered by the synod of the Gereformeerde Kerken in 1905. The italicised part was omitted. In 1958 the synod of the Christian Reformed Churches in North America also amended this particular section. 
“And the government's task is not limited to caring for and watching over the public domain but extends also to upholding the sacred ministry, with a view to removing and destroying all idolatry and false worship of the Antichrist; to promoting the kingdom of Jesus Christ; and to furthering the preaching of the gospel everywhere; to the end that God may be honored and served by everyone, as he requires in his Word.” Finally, two other sources that were mentioned in this episode: Mark A. Noll, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind (Eerdmans, 1995); Jan de Bruijn en George Harinck (eds.), Een Leidse vriendschap: Herman Bavinck en Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje over christendom, islam en westerse beschaving (Verloren, 2021). The English translation is forthcoming.

Picking up where we left off in our last episode, the remaining 30 titles I finished in 2021 were as follows: Our Oriental Heritage by Will Durant That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis The Revolt of the Elites and The Betrayal of Democracy by Christopher Lasch Lead by Paul David Tripp The Civil War as a Theological Crisis by Mark A. Noll Constantine the Emperor by David Potter The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto Amsterdam by Russell Shorto The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. by Grant Ulysses S. Grant The Democratization of American Christianity by Nathan O. Hatch The Ancient Celts by Barry Cunliffe The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard 1491 by Charles C. Mann Leadership Strategy and Tactics by Jocko Willink Beyond Order by Jordan B. Peterson The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper Coolidge by Amity Shlaes What Is Marriage? by Sherif Girgis and Company A Holy Baptism of Fire and Blood by James P. Byrd Black & Tan by Douglas Wilson Lincoln's Last Trial by Dan Abrams Heirs of the Founders by H.W. Brands The Life of Greece by Will Durant Charlemagne by Johannes Fried The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther Whirlwind by James Clavell The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs Of Temptation by John Owens The First Wave by Alex Kershaw The Templars by Dan Jones --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/garrett-ashley-mullet/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/garrett-ashley-mullet/support

Mark A. Noll Turning Points of Church History

If you want to understand the American Civil War better, read Mark A. Noll's book - The Civil War as a Theological Crisis. In it you will find that before the question of slavery was a political or military question to be answered on the battlefield, it was a theological question. How we read and interpret the Bible is of the utmost importance, and we have a fine example of the consequences of playing fast and loose with the text in the way the issue of slavery has been handled - both by abolitionists and by the pro-slavery camp in the lead-up to 1861. Was slavery categorically evil? Not according to God. Or at least he never roundly condemned and prohibited the institution. But then neither was God silent on the issue. And the pro-slavery theological arguments often ignored the restrictions and boundaries God put in place for his people in the Old Testament. So also, the claim that black Africans were to be enslaved as a race because Noah cursed the descendants of Ham in Genesis was a particularly weak argument. Did the fact that Noah pronounced a curse on Ham and his descendants mean that we are forever beholden to abuse and mistreat a certain race of people just because they were his offspring? One might more readily interpret Noah's curse in light of warnings and admonitions against strong drink for kings at the end of Proverbs. Yet it was entirely too convenient that those arguing for continuance of the African slave-trade and the disposal of black slaves in the South chose an interpretive framework which put stock in Noah as the authority. At the same time, radical abolitionists sometimes concluded that if God had made allowances for slavery in the Old Testament, they would just throw out the Bible. If the Bible was not any more just and fair than that, the overriding principle of liberty more important to them would take precedence. In our day still, despite a century and a half passing, we see echoes of this conflict in the way social justice and other such is argued for and against in the American church. And Noll's book can help us in understanding the problems of our day in light of their ideological and theological roots and historical context. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/garrett-ashley-mullet/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/garrett-ashley-mullet/support

As traditionally the oldest form of Christianity, along with the ancient or first millennial Eastern Orthodox Church, the non-Chalcedonian or Oriental Churches, and the Church of the East,[1] the history of the Catholic Church is integral to the history of Christianity as a whole. It is also, according to church historian, Mark A. Noll, the "world's oldest continuously functioning international institution."[2] This article covers a period of just under two thousand years Over time, schisms have disrupted the unity of Christianity. The major divisions occurred in c.144 with Marcionism,[3] 318 with Arianism, 451 with the Oriental Orthodox, 1054 to 1449 (see East-West Schism) during which time the Orthodox Churches of the East parted ways with the Western Church over doctrinal issues (see the filioque) and papal primacy, and in 1517 with the Protestant Reformation, of which there were many divisions, resulting in over 200 denominations. This Church has been the driving force behind some of the major events of world history including the Christianization of Western and Central Europe and Latin America, the spreading of literacy and the foundation of the universities, hospitals, the Western tradition of monasticism, the development of art and music, literature, architecture, contributions to the scientific method, just war theory and trial by jury. It has played a powerful role in global affairs, including the Reconquista, the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Investiture Controversy, the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe in the late 20th century. Subscribe at https://sdcason.com/subscribe --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/shalonecason1/message

Want to read more about this topic?Beeke, Joel R. "The Family Man: Luther At Home." Edited by R.C. Sproul, & Steven Nichols. The Legacy of Luther (Reformation trust Publishing ), 2016.Ferguson, Sinclair B. "Grace Alone: Luther and the Christian Life." Edited by R.C. Sproul, & Stephen Nichols. The Legacy of Luther (The Reformation Trust ), 2016.George, Timothy. Theology of the Reformers . Nashville , TN: B&H Publishing Group , 2013.Godfrey, W. Robert. "Christ Alone: Luther on Christ, The Sacraments, and the Church." Edited by R.C. Sproul, & Stephen Nichols. The Legacy of Luther (The Reformation Trust ), 2016.Harrison, Peter. "Protestantism and the Making of Modern Science ." Edited by Thomas Howard, & Mark Noll. Protestantism After 500 Years (Oxford Univerity Press), 2016.Horton, Michael S. "Scripture Alone: Luther's Doctrines of Scripture ." Edited by R.C. Sproul, & Steven Nichols. The Legacy of Luther (Reformation trust Publishing ), 2016.Jr., John Witte. "From Gospel to Law: The Lutheran Reformation and It's Impact on Legal Culture." Edited by Mark A. Noll Thomas Albert Howard. Protestantism after 500 years (Oxford University Press), 2016.Lindberg, Carter. The European Reformers . West Sussex: Blackwell Publishing , 2010.Luther, Martin. Ninety-Five Theses. Edited by Stephen Nichols. Phillipsburg , NJ: B&R Publishing , 2002.—. The Bondage of the Will. Translated by J.I. Packer, & O.R. Johnston. Grand Rapids , MI: Baker Academics , 1957.Maag, Karin. "The Reformation and Higher Education ." Edited by Thomas Howard, & Mark Noll. Protestantism After 500 Years , 2016.The Holy Bible . English Standard Version . Wheaton , IL, 2001.Waters, Guy Prentiss. "By Faith Alone: Luther and the Doctrine of Justification." Edited by R.C. Sproul, & Stephen Nichols. The Legacy of Luther (The Reformation Trust ), n.d.

In our Second Episode, Pastor John and I sit down to tackle the subject of Evangelicals and the Life of the Mind.  Using Mark Noll's book, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, as a jumping-off point, we do a deeper dive into the history of evangelicalism in America, describing the emergence of fundamentalism (and dispensationalism) and the growing strain of anti-intellectualism that so often marks evangelicalism in contemporary American life.  We discuss how evangelicals' loss of power and influence in culture repeatedly leads to over-reaction, rejection of culture (rather than a deeper witness and engagement with ideas and issues in culture), and finally, legislation.  A very real historical cycle of revival, dissolution/corruption, and reaction can be seen repeating through this history from the Puritans through the 19th century up to the present day.  As we trace these patterns, we encounter such touchstone moments as the Salem Witch Trials, both Great Awakenings, the birth of Fundamentalism, the Scopes Monkey Trial, and the rise of the Moral Majority.  Finally, *gasps for air* we attempt to encourage a way forward for Christians seeking to have a genuine, long-term witness to Christ in our culture, Christians who want to engage the life of their minds, who want to be able stay engaged in the important debates of their time for the sake of the world and the glory of God.  Find a starting reading list below: The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark A. Noll The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design by Ronald L. Numbers Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism by George Marsden Reforming Fundamentalism: Fuller Seminary and the New Evangelicalism by George Marsden

Matthew recommends the book "Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity." by Mark A. Noll. Book. Audiobook. Matthew and DJ go through the last two chapters of the first gospel we have in our New Testaments.

In this episode Jo and Scott interview Dr Lindsey Farrell about 'Love Declared" as the forth episode in the paradigm series. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Going Deeper: Book: 'Turning Points' by Mark A. Noll Podcast: 'Walking in the Way' by Riverlife Going Deeper Art Exhibition: Inala Art Gallery Exhibition "I AM" Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

This is the twelfth and final Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention has been to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. But it turned out to be a good excuse for Wade and Mike to record some conversations about a number of topics they enjoy; so if you're looking for something like that, you're in the right place.  This episode serves as a rounding out of the series (while leaving some loose ends for future episodes or Wingin' It series). If you haven't listened to the rest of the series, you can find them all right here. But even if you haven't, you shouldn't have any trouble following along with the conversation (well, no more trouble than is normal when listening to the guys verbal meanderings masquerading as a podcast). If you've enjoyed this series, don't forget to share! Let the Bird Fly! is supported by the 1517 Podcast Network, which is part of 1517.org. The 2018 calendar year has been one of tremendous growth for 1517 and plans for 2019 and beyond are well underway. In order to continue to grow and spread the message of that the death of Christ saves, 1517 has set a goal of raising $250,000 by December 31st. If you are able to help support all the great content being produced by 1517, please consider doing so with a regular monthly donation, or a one time donate. You can find more about 1517 on their website and you can DONATE RIGHT HERE. Thank you for your support! And as always, if you are enjoying the show, please subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or TuneIn Radio. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. You can also follow our Telegram Channel, where we post our new episodes as well as other content that we think you might enjoy. And, of course, share us with a friend or two! If you’d like to contact us we can be reached at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com, or visit our website at www.LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music used in this Episode: "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the eleventh Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place.  This episode departs a bit from Noll's outline, taking a few of the topics after the tenth chapter of Noll's book, and combining them into a discussion of the Enlightenment. We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) Let the Bird Fly! is supported by the 1517 Podcast Network, which is part of 1517.org. The 2018 calendar year has been one of tremendous growth for 1517 and plans for 2019 and beyond are well underway. In order to continue to grow and spread the message of that the death of Christ saves, 1517 has set a goal of raising $250,000 by December 31st. If you are able to help support all the great content being produced by 1517, please consider doing so with a regular monthly donation, or a one time donate. You can find more about 1517 on their website and you can DONATE RIGHT HERE. Thank you for your support! And as always, if you are enjoying the show, please subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or TuneIn Radio. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. You can also follow our Telegram Channel, where we post our new episodes as well as other content that we think you might enjoy. And, of course, share us with a friend or two! If you’d like to contact us we can be reached at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com, or visit our website at www.LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music used in this Episode: "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

In this episode, Pete & Jared talk to Jonathan Merritt about the language of scripture, how it's changed over the years and how our interpretation and understanding must adapt to fully appreciate what the Bible has to say. links Learning to Speak God from Scratch by Jonathan Merritt Jesus Through the Centuries by Jaroslav Pelikan Studies in Words by C.S. Lewis A Little Exercise For Young Theologians by Helmut Thielicke The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark A. Noll It's Getting Harder to Talk About God by Jonathan Merritt   http://www.thebiblefornormalpeople.com https://peteenns.com https://www.patreon.com/thebiblefornormalpeople  

This is the tenth Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place.  This episode picks up with the tenth chapter of Noll's book, which Noll entitles The New Piety: The Conversion of the Wesleys (1738). We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! And in particular check out the new series called The Soul of Christianity. It's a 12 part series on the Apostle's Creed, which is hosted by Debi Winrich and Dan van Voorhis. You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the ninth Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place.  This episode picks up with the ninth chapter of Noll's book, which Noll entitles Catholic Reformation and Worldwide Outreach: The Founding of the Jesuits (1540). We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! And in particular check out the new series called The Soul of Christianity. It's a 12 part series on the Apostle's Creed, which is hosted by Debi Winrich and Dan van Voorhis. You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the eighth Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place.  This episode picks up with the eighth chapter of Noll's book, which Noll entitles A New Europe: The English Act of Supremacy (1534). We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the seventh Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place. In this episode they are joined once again by Rev. Brian Doebler. You can find all of Rev. Doebler's contributions to the podcast right here. This episode picks up with the seventh chapter of Noll's book, which Noll entitles The Beginnings of Protestantism: The Diet of Worms (1521). We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Whistling Down the Road” by Silent Partner - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the sixth Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place. This episode picks up with the sixth chapter of Noll's book, which Noll entitles Division Between East and West: The Great Schism (1054). We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Whistling Down the Road” by Silent Partner - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the fifth Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place. This episode picks up with the fifth chapter of Noll's book, which Noll entitles The Culmination of Christendom: The Coronation of Charlemagne (800). We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the fourth Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place. This episode picks up with the fourth chapter of Noll's book, which Noll entitles The Monastic Rescue of the Church: Benedict's Rule (530). We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the third Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. If you're looking to hear Mike and Wade find another excuse to record a conversation about things they enjoy, though, you're in the right place. This episode finishes up their discussion from the previous session on The Council of Nicaea, and then moves on to the third chapter of Noll's book. Noll entitles that chapter Doctrine, Politics, and Life in the Word: The Council of Chalcedon (451). And as you might expect, Mike and Wade discuss the Council of Chalcedon. We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the second Wingin' It in our series on Church History, in which Wade and Mike are using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations; so if you're looking for a book study guide, you'll need to keep looking. This episode picks up on the second chapter of Noll's book, which he entitles Realities of Empire: The Council of Nicaea (325). The discussion of the Council of Nicaea bleeds over a bit into the next Wingin' It, so you'll have to wait until that comes out for the rest. We hope you'll enjoy this  Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

This Wingin' It is the first is a series that Wade and Mike plan to record on Church History. Much like they did with the Wingin' It series on the Divine Service, the hope is that by taking a big topic in smaller parts they'll be able to get into a bit more detail than they would be able to do in a single episode. That said, these are still Wingin' It episodes, so they are far from scripted, (you've been forewarned). They will be using Mark A. Noll's book Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity as the spring-board for their discussion. Rather than provide an overview of Noll's book, however, their intention is to use his structure as a rough guide for their conversations. With that in mind, this episode begins with the topic of Noll's first chapter: The Fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. We hope you'll enjoy this new Wingin' It series. (And if you do, don't forget to share!) We are happy to be a part of the 1517 Podcast Network. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out all the other podcasts in the network; you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy! You can find and share us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or TuneIn Radio. Or you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And if email is more your style, you can reach us at podcast@LetTheBirdFly.com. Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music Used in this Episode - "Slow Burn" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. - “Not Drunk” by The Joy Drops is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

Mark A. Noll, author of "The Civil War as a Theological Crisis"

Mark A. Noll, author of "The Civil War as a Theological Crisis"

Mark A. Noll, author of "The Civil War as a Theological Crisis"

Mark A. Noll, author of "The Civil War as a Theological Crisis"

Maintaining status quo can be a strong motivation for people in power to suppress questioning and intellectual exploration.  Often in church communities we can feel isolated for asking hard questions.  Especially questions that challenge long standing ideas and methods.  This week Jeff and Mona discuss the many layers surrounding the topic of anti-intellectualism within the church and christianity.  They also discuss the polarity created around intellectualism and emotionalism between conservatives and progressives.  Closing out the show Jeff and Mona conduct an old fashioned check in.   Anti Intellectualism Conversation (00:37) Host Check In Segment (51:43) RELEVANT LINKS From our Anti-Intellectual Conversation Millennialism (Theology) C. I. Scofield (Theologian) Christian Apologetics The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark A. Noll (Book - Amazon Affiliate Link) Leaving Evangelicalism – BONUS Episode – 001.5 (Irenicast Bonus Episode) Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (Sermon) George Whitefield (Theologian) First Great Awakening Manifest Destiny Progressive Era Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire (Book - Amazon Affiliate Link)   From our Host Check In Segment Pokémon Snap (Nintendo 64 Game) The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64 Game) GoldenEye 007 (Nintendo 64 Game) THANK YOU Thank you to Mike Golin for our intro and outro music.  Check out his band Soulwise. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Thank you for supporting the podcast!  Your ratings, reviews and feedback are not only encouraging to us personally, but they help others find the show.  If you appreciate the content we provide please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher.   Join our conversations on faith and culture by interacting with us through the following links:   Read Us on our blog An Irenicon Email Us at podcast@irenicast.com Follow Us on Twitter and Google+ Like Us on Facebook Listen & Subscribe to Us on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud and TuneIn Speak to Us on our Feedback Page and the Post Evangelical Facebook Group See Us on Instagram Support Us on Amazon Love Us   This post may contain affiliate links.  An Irenicon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Mark A. Noll is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. His book, In the Beginning was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, 1492-1783 (Oxford University Press, 2015), offers a rich and deep examination of the place of the bible, both as an object and a source of ideas, in the public life of early America. Noll sets out to show the evolution of the colonial relationship with the bible in the context of Christendom, anti-Catholicism and the British empire in which it was understood. Noll offers innumerable examples and references of New England as thoroughly immersed in scripture in which a broad biblicalism saturated the imagination, culture, and politics. Both fervent and lukewarm believers took the authority of the bible for granted providing analogies for interpreting immediate events, inductive instruction, and inspiration for a vast number of political and cultural projects. But the bible was also a double edge sword that could both unite and divide friends and foe. Noll teases out the often-subtle difference in views of the bible that had significant political consequence. Dissenters and religious radicals believed that the bible stood against Christendom and church establishment. Other issues were not only about the bible itself, and whether it was the sole or final authority, but also who could read it and understand it. Slaves, women, and common people under the sweep of revivals, increased literacy, and the tool of a versified text began to interpret the bible for themselves rather than look to the clergy for guidance. This worked to undermine Christendom and created a uniquely American attitude towards the bible. What remained was a providential rhetoric that replaced the empire with the nation, and ongoing debates over scriptural mandates on the economy, slavery, and arguments for or against the Revolution. Noll has demonstrated that it is virtually impossible to understand the colonial society without understanding the place, significance, and prominence of scripture in private and public life.

Mark A. Noll is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. His book, In the Beginning was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, 1492-1783 (Oxford University Press, 2015), offers a rich and deep examination of the place of the bible, both as an object and a source of ideas, in the public life of early America. Noll sets out to show the evolution of the colonial relationship with the bible in the context of Christendom, anti-Catholicism and the British empire in which it was understood. Noll offers innumerable examples and references of New England as thoroughly immersed in scripture in which a broad biblicalism saturated the imagination, culture, and politics. Both fervent and lukewarm believers took the authority of the bible for granted providing analogies for interpreting immediate events, inductive instruction, and inspiration for a vast number of political and cultural projects. But the bible was also a double edge sword that could both unite and divide friends and foe. Noll teases out the often-subtle difference in views of the bible that had significant political consequence. Dissenters and religious radicals believed that the bible stood against Christendom and church establishment. Other issues were not only about the bible itself, and whether it was the sole or final authority, but also who could read it and understand it. Slaves, women, and common people under the sweep of revivals, increased literacy, and the tool of a versified text began to interpret the bible for themselves rather than look to the clergy for guidance. This worked to undermine Christendom and created a uniquely American attitude towards the bible. What remained was a providential rhetoric that replaced the empire with the nation, and ongoing debates over scriptural mandates on the economy, slavery, and arguments for or against the Revolution. Noll has demonstrated that it is virtually impossible to understand the colonial society without understanding the place, significance, and prominence of scripture in private and public life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark A. Noll is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. His book, In the Beginning was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, 1492-1783 (Oxford University Press, 2015), offers a rich and deep examination of the place of the bible, both as an object and a source of ideas, in the public life of early America. Noll sets out to show the evolution of the colonial relationship with the bible in the context of Christendom, anti-Catholicism and the British empire in which it was understood. Noll offers innumerable examples and references of New England as thoroughly immersed in scripture in which a broad biblicalism saturated the imagination, culture, and politics. Both fervent and lukewarm believers took the authority of the bible for granted providing analogies for interpreting immediate events, inductive instruction, and inspiration for a vast number of political and cultural projects. But the bible was also a double edge sword that could both unite and divide friends and foe. Noll teases out the often-subtle difference in views of the bible that had significant political consequence. Dissenters and religious radicals believed that the bible stood against Christendom and church establishment. Other issues were not only about the bible itself, and whether it was the sole or final authority, but also who could read it and understand it. Slaves, women, and common people under the sweep of revivals, increased literacy, and the tool of a versified text began to interpret the bible for themselves rather than look to the clergy for guidance. This worked to undermine Christendom and created a uniquely American attitude towards the bible. What remained was a providential rhetoric that replaced the empire with the nation, and ongoing debates over scriptural mandates on the economy, slavery, and arguments for or against the Revolution. Noll has demonstrated that it is virtually impossible to understand the colonial society without understanding the place, significance, and prominence of scripture in private and public life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark A. Noll is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. His book, In the Beginning was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, 1492-1783 (Oxford University Press, 2015), offers a rich and deep examination of the place of the bible, both as an object and a source of ideas, in the public life of early America. Noll sets out to show the evolution of the colonial relationship with the bible in the context of Christendom, anti-Catholicism and the British empire in which it was understood. Noll offers innumerable examples and references of New England as thoroughly immersed in scripture in which a broad biblicalism saturated the imagination, culture, and politics. Both fervent and lukewarm believers took the authority of the bible for granted providing analogies for interpreting immediate events, inductive instruction, and inspiration for a vast number of political and cultural projects. But the bible was also a double edge sword that could both unite and divide friends and foe. Noll teases out the often-subtle difference in views of the bible that had significant political consequence. Dissenters and religious radicals believed that the bible stood against Christendom and church establishment. Other issues were not only about the bible itself, and whether it was the sole or final authority, but also who could read it and understand it. Slaves, women, and common people under the sweep of revivals, increased literacy, and the tool of a versified text began to interpret the bible for themselves rather than look to the clergy for guidance. This worked to undermine Christendom and created a uniquely American attitude towards the bible. What remained was a providential rhetoric that replaced the empire with the nation, and ongoing debates over scriptural mandates on the economy, slavery, and arguments for or against the Revolution. Noll has demonstrated that it is virtually impossible to understand the colonial society without understanding the place, significance, and prominence of scripture in private and public life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark A. Noll is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. His book, In the Beginning was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, 1492-1783 (Oxford University Press, 2015), offers a rich and deep examination of the place of the bible, both as an object and a source of ideas, in the public life of early America. Noll sets out to show the evolution of the colonial relationship with the bible in the context of Christendom, anti-Catholicism and the British empire in which it was understood. Noll offers innumerable examples and references of New England as thoroughly immersed in scripture in which a broad biblicalism saturated the imagination, culture, and politics. Both fervent and lukewarm believers took the authority of the bible for granted providing analogies for interpreting immediate events, inductive instruction, and inspiration for a vast number of political and cultural projects. But the bible was also a double edge sword that could both unite and divide friends and foe. Noll teases out the often-subtle difference in views of the bible that had significant political consequence. Dissenters and religious radicals believed that the bible stood against Christendom and church establishment. Other issues were not only about the bible itself, and whether it was the sole or final authority, but also who could read it and understand it. Slaves, women, and common people under the sweep of revivals, increased literacy, and the tool of a versified text began to interpret the bible for themselves rather than look to the clergy for guidance. This worked to undermine Christendom and created a uniquely American attitude towards the bible. What remained was a providential rhetoric that replaced the empire with the nation, and ongoing debates over scriptural mandates on the economy, slavery, and arguments for or against the Revolution. Noll has demonstrated that it is virtually impossible to understand the colonial society without understanding the place, significance, and prominence of scripture in private and public life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark A. Noll is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. His book, In the Beginning was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, 1492-1783 (Oxford University Press, 2015), offers a rich and deep examination of the place of the bible, both as an object and a source of ideas, in the public life of early America. Noll sets out to show the evolution of the colonial relationship with the bible in the context of Christendom, anti-Catholicism and the British empire in which it was understood. Noll offers innumerable examples and references of New England as thoroughly immersed in scripture in which a broad biblicalism saturated the imagination, culture, and politics. Both fervent and lukewarm believers took the authority of the bible for granted providing analogies for interpreting immediate events, inductive instruction, and inspiration for a vast number of political and cultural projects. But the bible was also a double edge sword that could both unite and divide friends and foe. Noll teases out the often-subtle difference in views of the bible that had significant political consequence. Dissenters and religious radicals believed that the bible stood against Christendom and church establishment. Other issues were not only about the bible itself, and whether it was the sole or final authority, but also who could read it and understand it. Slaves, women, and common people under the sweep of revivals, increased literacy, and the tool of a versified text began to interpret the bible for themselves rather than look to the clergy for guidance. This worked to undermine Christendom and created a uniquely American attitude towards the bible. What remained was a providential rhetoric that replaced the empire with the nation, and ongoing debates over scriptural mandates on the economy, slavery, and arguments for or against the Revolution. Noll has demonstrated that it is virtually impossible to understand the colonial society without understanding the place, significance, and prominence of scripture in private and public life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark A. Noll is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. His book, In the Beginning was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, 1492-1783 (Oxford University Press, 2015), offers a rich and deep examination of the place of the bible, both as an object and a source of ideas, in the public life of early America. Noll sets out to show the evolution of the colonial relationship with the bible in the context of Christendom, anti-Catholicism and the British empire in which it was understood. Noll offers innumerable examples and references of New England as thoroughly immersed in scripture in which a broad biblicalism saturated the imagination, culture, and politics. Both fervent and lukewarm believers took the authority of the bible for granted providing analogies for interpreting immediate events, inductive instruction, and inspiration for a vast number of political and cultural projects. But the bible was also a double edge sword that could both unite and divide friends and foe. Noll teases out the often-subtle difference in views of the bible that had significant political consequence. Dissenters and religious radicals believed that the bible stood against Christendom and church establishment. Other issues were not only about the bible itself, and whether it was the sole or final authority, but also who could read it and understand it. Slaves, women, and common people under the sweep of revivals, increased literacy, and the tool of a versified text began to interpret the bible for themselves rather than look to the clergy for guidance. This worked to undermine Christendom and created a uniquely American attitude towards the bible. What remained was a providential rhetoric that replaced the empire with the nation, and ongoing debates over scriptural mandates on the economy, slavery, and arguments for or against the Revolution. Noll has demonstrated that it is virtually impossible to understand the colonial society without understanding the place, significance, and prominence of scripture in private and public life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices