Podcasts about protestant reformation

In this episode, we discuss the most recent General Conference, Thomas B. Marsh's prescription to avoid apostasy after apostasy and his return to the Church, and why “Mormons” are viewed as a cult. Kristy's KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): D&C 112 ⁠ Sign up for our free monthly email that is rarely monthly: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com   Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes: 01:31 – Gerrit reflects on empathy and family teachings from Conference. 03:05 – Discussion on emotional reactions to doctrines about marriage and family. 04:30 – Sports-team loyalty as an analogy for emotional reasoning in faith. 07:50 – Mercy and gratitude; Richard's emotional takeaway from Conference.  08:45 – Cajun-seasoning humor from Elder Amos' talk; lighthearted recap. 09:30 – Listener email from Mindy, stake RS president; Kristy's KorneЯ intro. 13:45 – Doctrine & Covenants 112: Thomas B. Marsh revelation overview. 20:40 – Marsh's pride, Kirtland apostasy, and “rebel not against my servant Joseph.” 23:15 – Missouri conflicts; Marsh's eventual apostasy and later return. 25:30 – Reading Marsh's handwritten “Prescription for Apostasy.” 28:55 – Bishop Jepson's email; humor about accidental promotions. 30:31 – Running joke: the show's “power” to make listeners bishops. 33:45 – Panama missionary asks why God allows apostasy 36:37 – Gerrit explains apostasy, agency, and salvation for the dead. 42:14 – Couple in hospital email: garments and “Mormons as a cult” questions. 48:41 – History of sacred clothing and the Protestant Reformation. 53:30 – Catholic vs. evangelical views on sacred garments. 56:30 – Why some Christians call Latter-day Saints a cult; creed differences.

Weekend Edition for October 4-5, 2025 The Story of Katie Luther: The Nun Who Escaped to True Freedom (Lives of Faith and Grace) https://amzn.to/3WeAdXe  The Fabricated Luther: Refuting Nazi Connections and Other Modern Myths, Third Edition https://amzn.to/3IIuWUK  Brand Luther: How an Unheralded Monk Turned His Small Town into a Center of Publishing, Made Himself the Most Famous Man in Europe--and Started the Protestant Reformation https://amzn.to/3Ilvdgt  Show Notes: Germany / Switzerland - Study Tour  Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Prayers-Devotions-Christ-Psalms/dp/1964419263 Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales https://shop.1517.org/collections/new-releases/products/9781964419039-remembering-your-baptism Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize More from the hosts: Dan van Voorhis SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac CONTACT: CHA@1517.org SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Overcast Google Play FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (outerrimterritories.com).

The guys discuss the similarities of Protestant Reformation and Modern Political Reformation. Trump's "dressing down" to the UN put them on notice.

The hardest part is often the waiting. Sometimes it seems as if God is not at work and nothing is happening in your life and you wonder if God is doing anything at all. But what if this season of waiting is not a sign of God's absence, but the very place he is doing his most profound and necessary work in you? In this sermon on Genesis 39:21–40:23, Pastor Luke Herche invites us to see that even when God's promises seem on hold, God is at work in the waiting, present with his people and preparing for things to come. Jesus endured delay and experienced God's absence before receiving God's kingdom, and we can now endure with hope that God is with us and at work, whatever may come. Part of a series on the book of Genesis. From Sunday Worship, September 28, 2025. ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: Which moments or details in Joseph's story did you find most striking or relatable, and why? What emotions does the scene in the prison stir in you? This passage wrestles with what it feels like when God's promises seem on hold. What thoughts or reactions come up for you in seasons where life feels slow, stuck, or silent? The sermon highlighted how God is at work in the waiting—even when we can't see it. How does that truth land with you? When have you experienced God's presence in an unexpected or unremarkable season? In what area of your life are you currently waiting, or feel forgotten, overlooked or sidelined? How does the gospel help you wait with hope, trusting that God is with you and preparing you—even now? ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

"In this opening message from our series on Galatians, we see that Paul's greeting is much more than a formality—it is a preview of the gospel itself. Paul emphasizes that his apostleship comes not from man, but from Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. And the heart of his message is this: “Christ gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of God our Father, to whom be glory forever and ever.”The letter to the Galatians is one of the clearest, strongest defenses of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here Paul proclaims the doctrine of justification by faith alone and insists that there can be no compromise. To lose this truth is to lose Christ himself.In this sermon we consider:Why Paul defends his apostleship so stronglyHow the greeting previews the entire letterThe inseparable connection between Christ's death and justification by faithWhy the gospel is not from man but from God himselfGalatians was central to the Protestant Reformation, and its message is no less urgent today as many seek to redefine or distort the gospel. Our hope and salvation rest in Christ alone, who gave himself for our sins and delivers us from this present evil age.✝️ May God strengthen His church to hold fast to the gospel once for all delivered to the saints.#Galatians #JustificationByFaith #Reformation #Sermon #BibleTeaching #Gospel #ChristianFaith"

Weekend Edition for September 27-28, 2025 The Story of Katie Luther: The Nun Who Escaped to True Freedom (Lives of Faith and Grace) https://amzn.to/3WeAdXe  The Fabricated Luther: Refuting Nazi Connections and Other Modern Myths, Third Edition https://amzn.to/3IIuWUK  Brand Luther: How an Unheralded Monk Turned His Small Town into a Center of Publishing, Made Himself the Most Famous Man in Europe--and Started the Protestant Reformation https://amzn.to/3Ilvdgt  Show Notes: Germany / Switzerland - Study Tour  Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Prayers-Devotions-Christ-Psalms/dp/1964419263 Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales https://shop.1517.org/collections/new-releases/products/9781964419039-remembering-your-baptism  Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint  The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize  More from the hosts: Dan van Voorhis SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac CONTACT: CHA@1517.org SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Overcast Google Play FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (outerrimterritories.com).

What happens when everything becomes public – our thoughts, our feelings, even our intimacy? In this sweeping and brilliant talk, we trace the collapse of the boundary between public and private life, showing how an idea once central to Western freedom – the right to a private self – has quietly disintegrated. From 17th-century sermons warning against “doing in private what you'd fear in public,” through the Protestant Reformation and the invention of the novel, to the cultural revolution of the 1970s and the surveillance anxieties of today, this is the story of how privacy was born, deformed, and finally dissolved.

Romans is probably Paul's most well-known and read letter, but how is it supposed to be read? What is Paul's purpose for writing the letter? Have our interpretations of Romans been more influenced by Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation than by Paul and the early church?Check out additional content on our website, ⁠thinkingtheologically.org⁠Music:"Kid Kodi"Blue Dot Sessionswww.sessions.blue

In this epsiode, Duffey is joined again by Andrew Pressley for a discussion on the history of music throughout the ages. This is epsiode Part 2 of a 2-part series and considers the music of the Protestant Reformation up to the Modern era. This episode is aimed offering a wide-angle lens on church music history and seeks to provide awareness of the presence of vast differences of style and tradition. They seek to navigate the difficult conversation of what kind of music is appropriate in church settings? How have Christians thought about this issue in the past? How are we today informed by our current cultural millue regarding the conversation surrounding church music?

Many Christians have a fairly optimistic expectation when it comes to life and ministry, feeling that with enough prayer and hard work they can change the world. Others have a more pessimistic view, with little expectation of fruit or of God using them. But Scripture offers a more nuanced option, a realism that knows that God is with us to work through us even in the hard spots and difficult times in life. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Genesis 39:1–20, the account of Joseph and Potiphar's wife, showing in this passage God's continuing plan to bless the nations through the offspring of Abraham. Pastor Luke focuses on four main points: —God is with his people, to bless the nations through his people. —Temptation and persecution make it seem as if God is absent and his blessing has failed. —Jesus faced God's curse and absence that we might know his presence and blessing. —Jesus is with you; trust God in your calling, whatever may come, confident in his resurrection power. Part of a series on the book of Genesis. From Sunday Worship, September 21, 2025. ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: If you were retelling Joseph's story in this passage to a friend, which moments would you highlight most vividly, and why do they stand out to you? This passage raises a big question: when life unravels through temptation or injustice, where is God? How do you wrestle with that in your own story? Joseph's life reminds us that blessing isn't about circumstances but about God's presence. What makes it hard to believe that God is with us in our difficulty? What would help remind you of that reality in difficult times? God blesses “the nations” through his people. What might living as a bearer of Christ's blessing look like in your work, home, or community this week? ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

When Political Violence Shakes Our Faith: A Biblical Response to Tragedy In these turbulent times when political violence dominates headlines and division tears at our nation's fabric, how should Christians respond? Pastor Fortunato delivers a powerful sermon examining God's Word for wisdom when tragedy strikes and innocent blood is shed. Journey through church history from the 1500s Protestant Reformation to modern-day America as we explore how believers throughout the ages have faced persecution, disagreement, and violence. Discover why Baptists have historically championed soul liberty & freedom of belief, never forcing faith through violence or coercion. This timely message addresses the hard questions we're all asking when political activism meets faith in the public square. In this sermon, you'll learn: • Why God says "Fret not thyself because of evildoers" (Psalm 37) and what that means for us today • How to trust, delight, commit, & rest in the Lord during national upheaval • The biblical response to persecution that separates true Christianity from religious violence • Why innocent blood being shed grieves God's heart throughout Scripture • How Jesus himself faced the ultimate injustice & what His example teaches us Pastor Fortunato weaves together passages from Psalms, Matthew, Romans, & Job to provide biblical perspective on suffering, persecution, & how believers should respond when tragedy strikes. This isn't about politics—it's about having a biblical worldview when our world seems to be falling apart. Whether you're struggling with anger, fear, or confusion about recent events, this message offers hope & wisdom for navigating these challenging times.

Sorrow and wickedness and evil are all around us. In the words of Shakespeare, “Each new morn new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face.” But what do we do in light of all this evil in the world? In Psalm 94 we find a reflection in the face of wickedness, a sober psalm that looks at the world as it is and helps us to wrestle with the question of how to respond. Pastor Josué Pernillo preaches on this challenging psalm, teaching us that in the face of evil Christians can cry to a judge, hate wickedness, wait patiently, and hope for restoration. From Sunday Evening Worship, September 14, 2025. allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

In 1274 A.D., Purgatory was officially declared a doctrine of the Catholic Church. This netherworld location has been described as a place of flames, punishment, intolerable pain, and purification, before those subjected to it graduate to the bliss of heaven. Purgatory cannot be proven by the Bible. Along with indulgences, it is one of the primary beliefs that led to the great Protestant Reformation.Comparative religion website: www.thetruelight.net Ministry website: www.shreveministries.org Video channel: www.YouTube.com/mikeshreveministries All audio-podcasts are shared in a video format on our YouTube channel. Mike Shreve's other podcast Discover Your Spiritual Identity—a study on the biblical names given to God's people: https://www.charismapodcastnetwork.com/show/discoveryourspiritualidentity Mail: P.O. Box 4260, Cleveland, TN 37320 / Phone: 423-478-2843Related Article: www.tocatholicswithlove.org/2024/10/12/purgatory-does-it-existPurchase Mike Shreve's popular book comparing over 20 religions: In Search of the True Light

The Christian life is like running a marathon. And like a marathon, following Jesus over the long-haul is difficult. It's going to include times where you want to give up. But in Hebrews 12:1–2 we find that following Jesus for the long-haul is also worth it. Listen as Pastor Ethan Brown preaches on this passage, showing that the race of the Christian life is not just something to be endured, but it can be a joy as we run together, run light, and run to Jesus. From Sunday Worship, September 14, 2025. ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

#christianity #protestant #reformationThere is a solitary, humble, wooden structure on a windswept hill in rural New England. To open the door is to engage our minds, our hearts, and our imaginations. In this place, preachers and professors, past and present, come alive as they walk the aisle, ascend the pulpit stairs, and teach…from theology, from history, and from the Word of God. Welcome to the Saybrook Meetinghouse, an audio production of Saybrook Ministries. Saybrook Ministries' vision is to inspire and invigorate Christians with imaginative and intellectual content.Saybrook Ministries' mission is to provide didactic and devotional content from the Christian faith delivered to the saints; recovered and refined by the Protestant Reformation.Saybrook Ministries' prayer is that our content will be (1) to Christians convinced of Reformation truths: encouraging & powerful; (2) to Christians unconvinced of Reformation truths: educational & persuasive; (3) to non-Christians: engaging & prophetic.Saybrook Ministries' four foundational scriptures are: The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times (Psalm 12:6). The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand (Daniel 11:32b-33a). And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD have not forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9:10). Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth (Hosea 6:3).

Lutheran Stories: Protestant Reformation Pastor Eric Ohrtman is in the studio to give the Cliff Notes overview of The Protestant Reformation. Get your pen and notebook ready because there is a lot to cover in 13 minutes! Martin Luther…check. John Calvin…check. Henry VIII…check. Gutenburg Press…check. Formula of Concord…check. Ninety-five Theses…check. Augsburg Confession…check. But the story involves so much more and it all comes back to the doctrine of grace.

Join John Carter as he addresses pressing questions about faith, politics, and society. This engaging program offers concise and insightful answers to complex topics.

The first few chapters of the gospel of Mark put Jesus' authority on display: his authority to heal, his authority to forgive sins, his authority in teaching, his authority over creation, and in Mark 5:1–20 we see Jesus' authority to cast out demons. In this account we find a question on the lips of a man possessed by a legion of demons that, surprisingly and counter-intuitively, we all need to ask ourselves: “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” Have you ever asked Jesus that question before? What might his answer be? Listen as RUF campus minister Ethan Brown preaches on this passage, giving us a clearer view of the authority, wisdom, and compassion of Jesus as he shows us how Jesus restores, Jesus destroys, and Jesus answers. From Sunday Worship, September 7, 2025. ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: What is an area of your life you want Jesus to restore? What do you hope that restoration will look like? What is an idol in your life you want Jesus to destroy? How do you want to work alongside him this week in the work of destroying your idols (the love of money, self-righteousness, or some other false god)? Can you think of a time in your life when getting what you wanted was bad for you? Can you think of a time in your life when God said “no” to you as an act of mercy and love? Take a moment to ask the Lord the question: “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” When you've landed on an answer in light of the truths of God's Word, share that answer with someone you love. ----------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

The titular characters in Frederick Buechner's historical novels Godric (1980) and Brendan (1987) are wayward priests and unsaintly saints, “just as clay-footed and full of shadows as the rest of us,” and yet, nonetheless, remarkable ministers of divine grace. In his portrayal of such saints, Buechner probes one of the central questions raised by the fourth-century Donatist Controversy—namely, whether the sinfulness of the minister compromises the divine grace which is mediated through his ministry. As we shall see, Buechner's vision is profoundly Augustinian—and yet, his is an Augustinianism inflected through the Protestant Reformation and into Modernity. Even so, Buechner upholds the wisdom and hope of the ancient Church for the contemporary Church, as the Church reels from and reckons with the exposure of moral failures and ecclesial scandals. The Copyright for all material on the podcast is held by L'Abri Fellowship. We ask that you respect this by not publishing the material in full or in part in any format or post it on a website without seeking prior permission from L'Abri Fellowship. Also, note that not all views expressed in the lectures or in the discussion time necessarily represent the views of L'Abri Fellowship. © Canadian L'Abri 2020

Can God keep his promises when we fail? It's a major question in the book of Genesis, and even throughout the whole Bible. A popular question about the problem of evil is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” But in this sermon on Genesis 38, the story of Judah and Tamar, Pastor Luke asks a twist on that question: Can God do good things through bad people? Or, will God keep his good promises when we fail so bad? Pastor Luke looks at the answer to that question under three heads: Our sin seems to endanger God's redemptive purposes; God works through what is sinful and shameful to accomplish his glorious redemptive purposes; we can now boast in our weakness, trusting that our darkest moments are a part of Christ's redemptive story. Part of a series on the book of Genesis. From Sunday Worship, August 31, 2025. ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: What parts of Judah and Tamar's story are the most shocking to you? How does this chapter challenge the idea that God only works through “clean” situations or morally impressive people? Where in your own life have you assumed “God can't use this”? How does knowing that Jesus willingly entered the family line of Judah and Tamar impact the way you view your own failures? How might you share your story (even the messy parts) in a way that points to Jesus as the hero? Take some time to pray that God would use the weak and messy parts of your life for his glory. Confess your sins and ask for power to live in the hope of God's redeeming grace. ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Send us a textWhy do Christians still struggle with adding works to grace? After 2,000 years, Paul's letter to the Galatians remains startlingly relevant for believers today.We tackle Galatians 5:5-12, where Paul delivers his most passionate defense of justification by faith alone. His message cuts through religious confusion with laser precision: "No flesh shall be justified by works of the law." This powerful doctrine sparked the Protestant Reformation and remains the bedrock of authentic Christian faith.Our panel discussion explores why this simple truth meets such resistance among believers. Is it unbelief? Fear of surrendering control? Or what one participant calls the "twilight delusion" – that murky space where Christians mix Old Testament law-keeping with New Testament grace?The consequences couldn't be more serious. Paul warns that introducing even "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." When we add requirements to salvation – whether dietary restrictions, Sabbath observance, or particular spiritual experiences – we fundamentally distort the gospel message.Perhaps most striking is how justification by faith creates the ultimate level playing field. No one has anything to offer God – not moral achievements, religious devotion, or personal sacrifice. This complete dismantling of human merit is both terrifying and ultimately liberating.Join us as we examine what it truly means to live by faith working through love rather than by religious obligation. Discover why good works flow from salvation rather than leading to it, and why regeneration – not regulation – produces genuine spiritual transformation.Whether you're wrestling with legalism, helping others understand grace, or simply seeking deeper theological grounding, this episode offers clarity on Christianity's most powerful, yet frequently misunderstood, doctrine.The Balance of GrayFaith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Finding Authentic Christian Worship: A Journey Through History, Tradition, and FaithThe search for authentic Christian worship often begins with a simple but profound question: “Is this how the apostles worshipped?”In this special Cloud of Witnesses (https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnesses) mini-episode, our guest hosts, Ben and Ashley Langlois—Ben known online as Orthodox Luigi—invite us into their personal journey of wrestling with that very question. As a husband-and-wife team, their perspectives bring a unique richness to the conversation: Ben shares from his theological study and exploration of history, while Ashley offers a heartfelt and distinctly feminine perspective on what it means to seek beauty, meaning, and belonging within the Body of Christ.Raised in contemporary Protestant settings, they began to sense subtle but growing tensions during worship: as guitars played, lights dimmed, and emotions ran high, they couldn't shake the feeling that something essential was missing. Were coffee shops, branded merchandise, and high-energy worship experiences truly what Christ intended for His Church?This questioning sparked a spiritual journey that led them through seven different churches, eventually settling for online services when no physical community seemed to reflect the fullness they longed for. Along the way, family connections played an important role. Brothers who were exploring Catholic and Orthodox traditions introduced Ben and Ashley to writings from the Church Fathers and early Christian practices that challenged many modern assumptions.Some discoveries were unexpected—like learning that Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli, leaders of the Protestant Reformation, all practiced infant baptism, a tradition many evangelical churches have set aside. For Ashley, these realizations opened new questions about how faith traditions shape the spiritual life of families and the formative role of women in the Church.Their journey eventually brought them to a Presbyterian congregation that offered what they call “pseudo-tradition”—wooden pews, touches of liturgy, and references to early writers. Yet, as Ashley shares, there was still a lingering sense of longing: the beauty was there, but the roots felt incomplete. Exploring historically grounded Protestant traditions like Anglicanism and Lutheranism only deepened this tension, as they often discovered a paradox—churches with the richest liturgical practices frequently embraced the most progressive theology, raising concerns about spiritual and doctrinal stability.Through prayer, study, and reflection, Ben and Ashley's path eventually led them to Eastern Orthodoxy, where they encountered a faith deeply rooted in apostolic succession, ancient liturgies, and a vision of salvation as a lifelong journey of transformation in Christ. Ashley speaks to how Orthodoxy's reverence, beauty, and communal worship resonated with her desire for a faith that engages not just the mind, but the heart and the senses—inviting the whole person into relationship with God.This is more than a story about leaving one church for another—it's about the deeper longing many Christians feel today: to encounter something enduring, rooted, and unchanging in a rapidly shifting world.Entire uncut, unedited conversation between Ben and Ashley available now on our Patreon!Visit Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://cloudofwitnessesradio.com/ Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses Radio on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok. Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

The implications of Australia severing ties with Iran are potentially serious. The Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi  has been given seven days to leave after ASIO identified Iran as being behind at least two of the anti-Semitic attacks seen in Australia since October 7, 2023. Dr Ali Mamouri speaks to Andrew about the implications of the move by the Australian government.ANDIn 2000, at a secret meeting in the Vatican, an Australian bishop warned a deluge would soon overwhelm the Catholic Church. The sex abuse crisis would become the greatest challenge to the authority and reputation of the Vatican since the Protestant Reformation almost 500 years earlier. But this warning went largely unheeded. It's another revelation in the new book, Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church, by Philip Shenon. In part 2 of this interview, we look at how the scandal enveloped three popes (but we begin with another controversy for then Pope John Paul II). GUESTS:Dr Ali Mamouri research fellow at Deakin University specialising in Middle Eastern studies and political Islam and author of this piece in The Conversation  Philip Shenon – investigative reporter and author of Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic ChurchThis program was made on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and Naarm

In 2000, at a secret meeting in the Vatican, an Australian bishop warned a deluge would soon overwhelm the Catholic Church. The sex abuse crisis would become the greatest challenge to the authority and reputation of the Vatican since the Protestant Reformation almost 500 years earlier. But this warning went largely unheeded. It's another revelation in the new book, Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church, by Philip Shenon. In part 2 of this interview, we look at how the scandal enveloped three popes (but we begin with another controversy for then Pope John Paul II). GUEST:Philip Shenon – investigative reporter and author of Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church

Can our sin derail God's purposes? Is it possible to undo God's good plan with your poor choices? Can you out-sin grace? These questions seem to be on the mind of the writer of Genesis in Chapter 37, where we find the account of Joseph, Jacob's favored son, and his brothers. This story, though well-known on its own, is just a part of the larger story of Genesis, and a part of the even larger story of redemption. Through Joseph we ultimately get a glimpse of Jesus; through Joseph's rule we find a picture of God's kingdom. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this passage under four heads: 1) God's promise to restore his world includes exalting his King. 2) Pride tempts us to resist God's King; pain tempts us to despair of his promise. 3) God uses opposition to his rule to exalt his King. 4) Take heart—despite present appearances, our King reigns; his kingdom is coming. Part of a series on the book of Genesis. From Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025. ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: In your own words, retell the key events of Genesis 37. What stands out most to you? How does this story show us God's determination to right his world and human opposition to it? (Consider also Psalms 2 and 8.) Why are we, like Joseph's brothers, so opposed to God righting his world? Why do we often like Jacob despair of it ever happening? Which temptation is stronger for you right now—resisting Jesus' reign in some area of your life, or despairing that his promises will ever come true? The sermon asked, “Can our sin derail God's purposes?” How does Genesis 37 begin to answer that question? Do you find this easy or hard to believe? Why? Read Acts 2:22–24, 32–33. How might looking to the cross (both the significance of Christ's opposition and the wonder of God's purposes) change the way you respond to difficult circumstances this week? ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Everyone longs for life. And most people don't just want to survive, but to thrive, to know life to its fullest. A Biblical way to say it is that people long for blessing. In Scripture, to bless is to bestow life upon and God, the blessed one, the source of all life, all power and good, is the one who blesses us. The book of Genesis is fundamentally about life and blessing. If you want blessing in your life, you need the message of this book. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche returns to a sermon series on the book of Genesis, re-introducing the book and showing that Genesis is the beginning of God's story to bless the nations through the promised child. Pastor Luke exhorts us to believe the promise, give thanks for present blessing, and wait expectantly for what is to come as he walks us through the beginning of the story of blessing, the content of the story of blessing, and our response to the story of blessing. Part of a series on the book of Genesis. From Sunday Worship, August 17, 2025. ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: What do you think about the idea that we must understand Genesis (and, indeed, every book of the Bible), in light of the whole story? What are the strengths of that approach to the Bible? What are the dangers? Where do you see blessing and curse play out in your own life, experience, or context? What do these things look like “at ground level”? Which do you find to be the most difficult, believing God's promises, giving thanks in the moment, or waiting hopefully for what is to come? Why do you think that is? Jesus takes the curse we deserve at the cross and receives the blessing we need in his resurrection. How does that enable you to give thanks for present blessings even as you wait for good things to come? ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

#christianity #protestant #reformationThere is a solitary, humble, wooden structure on a windswept hill in rural New England. To open the door is to engage our minds, our hearts, and our imaginations. In this place, preachers and professors, past and present, come alive as they walk the aisle, ascend the pulpit stairs, and teach…from theology, from history, and from the Word of God. Welcome to the Saybrook Meetinghouse, an audio production of Saybrook Ministries. Saybrook Ministries' vision is to inspire and invigorate Christians with imaginative and intellectual content.Saybrook Ministries' mission is to provide didactic and devotional content from the Christian faith delivered to the saints; recovered and refined by the Protestant Reformation.Saybrook Ministries' prayer is that our content will be (1) to Christians convinced of Reformation truths: encouraging & powerful; (2) to Christians unconvinced of Reformation truths: educational & persuasive; (3) to non-Christians: engaging & prophetic.Saybrook Ministries' four foundational scriptures are: The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times (Psalm 12:6). The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand (Daniel 11:32b-33a). And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD have not forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9:10). Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth (Hosea 6:3).

We begin this Lord's Day considering Paul's declaration of freedom to the Churches of Galatia. The letter to the Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. It was one of the stones used by the Reformers in their sling to bring down the mighty Goliath of Rome during the Protestant Reformation as it enlightened the minds of sinners to the wonders of God's free grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul sets forth by inspiration of the Holy Spirit our liberty in Christ from the guilt/condemnation of sin, from the dominion/power of sin, from the fear of death, and from the ceremonies of the Old Testament. And it sets forth not only what we are set free from, but what we are set free unto. In Christ, we are set free to trust, love, and obey our gracious God. True freedom is not doing whatever we want to do (that is worldly bondage) but is doing what God calls/commands us to do. Our Christian liberty in Christ is not my will (and pleases me) but is thy will be done (and what pleases Thee). Anyone can do his/her own will, but only those who have been set free by Christ can do (and love to do) God's will.

Things look bad. Looking at the world around us, it is easy to see that things are not what they should be—and this has been true throughout human history. In Psalm 37, David, the King of Israel, looks around and sees that things are not right. The wicked prosper, people plot evil, scheme to hurt others, draw the sword and bend their bows. Today we see this same principle at work on the large scale and small scale, war mongers and classroom cheaters. But what do we do with that? When you begin to get upset about the success of the people around you who seem to not deserve it or you begin to be tempted to join them in their evil ways, the psalmist offers another way: fret not. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this Psalm, showing that when things look bad we can do three things: look at the big picture, look at the cross, and look to the Lord. From Sunday Evening Worship, August 10, 2025. allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

If you believe in what you are doing, it can bring a certain joy to the task at hand to do it with others, especially when you are in synch with those you are partnering with. But more often than not, there is a tension and dreariness that results from teamwork going awry. The book of Colossians comes to a close with some practical words about teamwork. After Paul has spent time telling his readers who Jesus is, who we are in light of that, and what it all means for our lives, he gives a final lesson in Colossians 4:7–18 on laboring together for the work of the gospel. Listen as Pastor Josué Pernillo preaches on this passage, showing that because we are in the Lord we can be fellow workers that communicate and cooperate for the work of the gospel. Sunday Morning Worship // August 10, 2025 ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Diarmuid MacCulloch, Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford, historian, author and presenter, joined me at the Harvington History Festival where we talked about the complexities of Christian theology regarding sex, marriage, and women's roles throughout history. He talked about the evolution of beliefs from the early church to the Protestant Reformation, emphasising the contradictions and changes in perspectives on celibacy, marriage, and the treatment of women within the church. The discussion also touches on the historical context of marriage ceremonies and the impact of misogyny on women's history.Chapters00:00 The Evolution of Christian Theology on Sex07:01 Marriage and Its Historical Context13:48 Misogyny and Women's Roles in ChristianityHi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel.Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 40 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. Buy books from these incredible historians, shipped worldwide from Blackwells - https://www.blackwells.co.uk?a_aid=PhilippaB (Please cut and past this affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you).If you're not already, please subscribe to this podcast and leave a review.Want more British History and more contact with me? Join at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory to enjoy Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and take part in Book Club! All for £5/month.You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/PhilippaYou can always support me for free by subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing my videos.Receive weekly history news from me by subscribing to my Substack at https://philippab.substack.com/Visit https://www.BritishHistoryTours.com for full details of history tours and events.⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️About PhilippaPhilippa is a Historian and History Event OrganiserPhilippa Lacey Brewell lives in Central England and is well respected in her field as a historian and tour guide. She is the owner and founder of British History Tours, a tour company for those who love British History.Philippa entertains thousands each week with her videos and stories from across the UK and British History. This ability to engage an audience, as well as being an expert in traveling the historical sites of the UK, makes her your perfect guide.I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-surveyPhilippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is real Protestantism? In this video, Christian Barrett responds to common Catholic criticisms of the Protestant church, including claims that Protestant worship is just emotionalism, that it's disconnected from historic Christianity, and that it's more Americanized than Roman Catholicism.Drawing from Protestant church history and the Protestant Reformation, Christian looks at what the Bible and historic Protestant confessions actually say about worship, preaching, and the local church. This is a fair, biblical, and historical answer to the Protestant vs Catholic conversation.Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingMake sure to subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmetMinistryFor more resources, visit emetministry.org Follow us: on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emetministries/profilecard/?igsh=Z2c5NnA1dTJhN20y on Spotify:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-four-fold-disciple/id1505547928on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-four-fold-disciple/id1505547928my reading list:⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74696644-christian-barrett

A Major thank you to the Arsenios for sponsoring todays stream. In this stream I discuss the very interesting and often obscure relationship between Judaism's mystical tradition of Kabbalah and the Protestant Reformation. Make sure to check it out and let me know what you think. God bless

Full Text of ReadingsThursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 410The Saint of the day is Saint CajetanSaint Cajetan’s Story Like most of us, Cajetan seemed headed for an “ordinary” life—first as a lawyer, then as a priest engaged in the work of the Roman Curia. His life took a characteristic turn when he joined the Oratory of Divine Love in Rome, a group devoted to piety and charity, shortly after his ordination at 36. When he was 42 he founded a hospital for incurables at Venice. At Vicenza, he joined a “disreputable” religious community that consisted only of men of the lowest stations of life—and was roundly censured by his friends, who thought his action was a reflection on his family. He sought out the sick and poor of the town and served them. The greatest need of the time was the reformation of a Church that was “sick in head and members.” Cajetan and three friends decided that the best road to reformation lay in reviving the spirit and zeal of the clergy. Together they founded a congregation known as the Theatines—from Teate [Chieti] where their first superior-bishop had his see. One of the friends later became Pope Paul IV. They managed to escape to Venice after their house in Rome was wrecked when Emperor Charles V's troops sacked Rome in 1527. The Theatines were outstanding among the Catholic reform movements that took shape before the Protestant Reformation. Cajetan founded a monte de pieta—“mountain or fund of piety”—in Naples, one of many charitable, nonprofit credit organizations that lent money on the security of pawned objects. The purpose was to help the poor and protect them against usurers. Cajetan's little organization ultimately became the Bank of Naples, with great changes in policy. Reflection If Vatican II had been summarily stopped after its first session in 1962, many Catholics would have felt that a great blow had been dealt to the growth of the Church. Cajetan had the same feeling about the Council of Trent, held from 1545 to 1563. But as he said, God is the same in Naples as in Venice, with or without Trent or Vatican II. We open ourselves to God's power in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, and God's will is done. God's standards of success differ from ours. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Though the church at Colossae was perhaps the most insignificant church that Paul ever wrote to, they had a significant mission: to declare the mystery of Christ. In Colossians 4:2–6 we see the apostle Paul calling the Colossians to live gospel-centered lives and to proclaim by their lives and by their words the mystery of Christ. Listen as Pastor Josué Pernillo preaches on this passage, showing us that because of the grace of God we can declare the mystery of Christ by being watchful in steadfast prayer, by effectively walking in wisdom, and by responding with gracious speech. Sunday Morning Worship // August 3, 2025 ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

In Episode 209 of Theology In Particular, Dr. James Renihan joins us to discuss the doctrine of Christian Liberty—a doctrine that has been called the second most important doctrine of the Protestant Reformation after justification.    Announcements:  TAARBC pastors conference Sept. 9-10 HBC Mansfield IRBS Convocation Tuesday, 9/9 7:00 PM HBC Mansfield Particular Baptist Theological Society May 15, Mansfield. Proposals are being accepted at PBTS@irbs.org   Links: Video: Dr. Renihan's Lectures On Christian Liberty , https://irbs.org/product/christian-liberty/   Contact: For information about International Reformed Baptist Seminary, go to irbsseminary.org. For feedback, questions, or suggestions, email Joe Anady at tip@irbsseminary.org.  

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony dive deep into Martin Luther's contrasting theological concepts: the Theology of Glory and the Theology of the Cross. Beginning with a reflection on how the Theology of Glory prioritizes human strength, reason, and achievement, they explore how this perspective can mislead Christians into seeking God through displays of power and visible success. Instead, they emphasize that Luther's Theology of the Cross reveals God's power most profoundly in weakness, suffering, and humility. The conversation highlights how the Theology of Glory often leads to arrogance, misplaced priorities, and a misunderstanding of God's nature and work in the world. Drawing from Scripture, the hosts demonstrate how the Gospel flips the world's values upside down, showing that true Christian power lies in self-sacrifice, service, and dependence on Christ. They also discuss contemporary examples of how the Theology of Glory manifests in modern Christian movements, including megachurch culture, prosperity theology, and even personal pride within small church leadership. Jesse and Tony challenge listeners to examine their own lives and ministries in light of the Theology of the Cross. They encourage believers to adopt an attitude of humility, servanthood, and dependence on God's grace, rather than striving for worldly success or recognition. This episode is a timely reminder that the Christian life is not about glory as the world defines it, but about finding strength in weakness and victory in the cross of Christ. Key Points: Theology of Glory vs. Theology of the Cross: Luther's framework contrasts human-centered religion, which seeks God in power and success, with the Gospel's revelation of God through weakness and suffering. Modern Examples of the Theology of Glory: Prosperity theology, megachurch culture, and some expressions of Christian nationalism illustrate how this mindset persists today. The Power of Humility and Weakness: The Theology of the Cross calls Christians to embrace servanthood and suffering as reflections of Christ's work on the cross. Scriptural Foundations: The hosts reference key Scriptures, such as Philippians 2 and Luke 10, to show how God's kingdom operates differently from human expectations. Practical Applications: Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance, instead embracing a Christ-centered approach to faith and ministry. Questions for Reflection: How does the Theology of Glory manifest in your own life or church context? In what ways does the Theology of the Cross challenge your understanding of power and success? How can you cultivate humility and servanthood in your daily walk with Christ? Are there areas in your life where you tend to rely on human wisdom or strength instead of God's grace? How does understanding God's power in weakness bring comfort and transformation to your faith? Citations: John Calvin, Commentary on the Gospel According to John, trans. William Pringle, vol. 1 (Bellingham: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 1:329–330.

Listen as Pastor Stephen Martin returns to share the powerful story of how God raised up reformers to break 1,000 years of institutional control. Perfect for your morning commute—discover how the Protestant Reformation still impacts your faith today.You'll Learn:✅ The apostolic → institutional church cycle and why it matters✅ Martin Luther's revolutionary stand against corruption✅ How different denominations emerged and govern today✅ Why "every member is a minister" changes everythingPastor Stephen and Pastor Nate break down complex church history into practical wisdom you can apply today. From the printing press to modern church plants, see how God uses technology and brave leaders to spread His truth.Subscribe now for biblical confidence every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 AM CT. Because when you understand where we've been, you'll know where God is leading.

#christianity #protestant #reformationThere is a solitary, humble, wooden structure on a windswept hill in rural New England. To open the door is to engage our minds, our hearts, and our imaginations. In this place, preachers and professors, past and present, come alive as they walk the aisle, ascend the pulpit stairs, and teach…from theology, from history, and from the Word of God. Welcome to the Saybrook Meetinghouse, an audio production of Saybrook Ministries. Saybrook Ministries' vision is to inspire and invigorate Christians with imaginative and intellectual content.Saybrook Ministries' mission is to provide didactic and devotional content from the Christian faith delivered to the saints; recovered and refined by the Protestant Reformation.Saybrook Ministries' prayer is that our content will be (1) to Christians convinced of Reformation truths: encouraging & powerful; (2) to Christians unconvinced of Reformation truths: educational & persuasive; (3) to non-Christians: engaging & prophetic.Saybrook Ministries' four foundational scriptures are: The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times (Psalm 12:6). The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand (Daniel 11:32b-33a). And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD have not forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9:10). Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth (Hosea 6:3).

Most people don't understand authority. It is either seen as an opportunity or a travesty, a means of personal power or a tool for the subjugation of the weak by the strong. Both of these views share the same misunderstanding of authority—-and it is into this misunderstanding that the gospel speaks. When we understand authority rightly we can live as citizens of Christ's kingdom in a way that manifests his lordship, blesses our neighbor, and glorifies our Father in Heaven. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Colossians 3:18–4:1, sharing four truths about authority found in the text: Christ as Lord radically redefines authority; before Christ all are equal; by Christ submission is qualified; and in Christ authority is submission. Sunday Morning Worship // June 27, 2025 ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: How does Paul anchor authority and submission in the Lordship of Christ? How are our understandings of authority and submission distorted by culture and experience? How are they distorted by the disordered loves of our hearts? How do Jesus' cross, resurrection, and ascension to the Father's right hand each reshape the way we understand authority and submission? What will it look like for you to exercise authority this week as an act of Christ-like service? What will it look like for you to submit to imperfect leaders, remembering Christ and honoring him as Lord? ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Does the church need a "queer revolution"? Do we need a new reformation akin to the Protestant Reformation? In this discussion, Sean talks with author and progressive pastor Brandan Robertson about his new book Queer & Christian. They have a friendly debate about their different moral and theological frameworks and then discuss key biblical passages such as Genesis 2, Matthew 19, and Romans 1. If you want to see this discussion on video, visit Sean's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXnEb04zXCwBrandan Robertson is a progressive Christian pastor, writer, activist, and TikTok influencer. He has written on the subjects of millennials, social justice, and Progressive Christianity, and he is an LGBTQ activist. ==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

As a Christian, you have a new identity in Christ—–therefore, act like Christ, depending on Christ, in the name of Christ and to the glory of the Father. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche explains, preaching on Colossians 3:12–17 and answering four questions: Who are we? What are we to do? How are we to do it? And why? Sunday Morning Worship // June 20, 2025 ------------------------------- Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions: Who are you? Tease out some of the many things that make you you. How do each of those shape how you live? What is the relationship between our new identity in Christ and the way we are called to live? Think of some areas of life in which you find it hard to bear with and forgive. How do our identity in Christ, the peace of Christ, and the Word of Christ help enable us to “put on Christ”? What motives tend to sway your heart in everyday life? What can we do so that the glory of God in Christ becomes the great motive of our lives? What is one area of life in which you hope to show greater Christ-likeness? Take some time to meditate on Christ's grace to you in this very area and then pray to that end. ------------------------------- allsoulspca.org All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

It's an old thesis - that capitalism has created a religion out of money. But nobody, not even Marx, has been quite as theologically explicit as Paul Vigna, author of The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin. The former Wall Street Journal reporter argues that money literally functions as our modern deity, complete with faith-based belief systems, sacred rituals of accumulation, and moral frameworks that equate wealth with divine favor. Tracing money's origins back 5,500 years to — surprise surprise — Mesopotamian temples, he reveals how what began as a practical accounting tool has evolved into humanity's central organizing principle. Unlike Marx's revolutionary critique of capitalist exchange, Vigna argues in favor of recalibration rather than outright destruction. Imagining money as a useful hammer rather than an almighty god, he questions why we chase dollars instead of human welfare, especially in a digital age when innovative new technologies could provide basic needs for everyone.1. Money literally originated in religious temples 5,500 years ago: "Money shows up first time about 5,500 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, it is a product of temples. The temple in Uruk is where we find it and the temple scribes developed this system to keep track of the temple's possessions, which is called money."2. Money isn't "real" - it's a collective belief system based entirely on trust: "Money isn't real. Money is an agreement among people. When you talk about trust, we're all trusting in this system. It's a system that we all buy into."3. The Protestant Reformation transformed greed from sin into virtue: "Calvin says, God controls everything... So if you have money, you have it because God want you to have it. Therefore, if you become rich, God wanted you to become rich... you should work hard to make a lot of money because that's what God wants."4. We've confused the tool with the goal: "We could provide the basic needs for every single human being on the earth... And what I say is, we don't do that... because we still have this deeply embedded belief that money... we are chasing money, we are not chasing the thing that society is supposed to be set up to do."5. Bitcoin perfectly illustrates money-as-religion: "Bitcoin is absolutely a religion. It's got its own god in Satoshi Nakamoto... it is the most fascinating thing to watch because it really is, you saw a religion grow up around a monetary system."Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Today Razib talks to David  Gress, a Danish historian. The son of an American literary scholar and a Danish writer, he grew up in Denmark, read Classics at Cambridge, and then earned a Ph.D. in medieval history from Bryn Mawr College in the US in 1981. During a fellowship form 1982-1992 at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, he published on Cold‑War strategy, German political culture, and Nordic security. He has been a visiting fellow and lecturer at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, fellow at the Danish Institute of International Affairs, an assistant professor of Classics at Aarhus University, and professor of the history of civilization at Boston University. He co‑directed the Center for the Study of America and the West at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia and remains a senior fellow of the Danish free‑market think tank CEPOS while writing a regular column for Jyllands‑Posten. His breakthrough book, From Plato to NATO: The Idea of the West and Its Opponents (1998), argues that Western success sprang from a hard‑edged fusion of Roman order, Germanic liberty, Christian morality, and Smithian economics, rather than being a single disgraceful arc from Greco‑Roman‐paganism to secular Enlightenment that bypassed the Middle Ages. Razib asks Gress how he would have written Plato to NATO today, more than 25 years later, and he says he would have emphasized Christianity's role in creating a unified Western culture out of Greco-Roman and Germanic diversity more. Gress also reiterates that he does not deny the Greek foundation of Western Civilization, but rather, his work was a corrective to a very thin and excessively motivated and partisan narrative that stripped out vast periods of European history. They also discuss Gress' own own peculiar identity, the son of an American, born to a Danish mother, raised in Denmark who converted to Catholicism as an adult, and how that all fits into a broader European identity. They also discuss the impact of mass immigration on the national identities of Europe in the last generation, and Gress' opinions as to the European future. Razib also asks Gress about the role that evolutionary ideas may have in shaping human history, and how his own views may have changed since From Plato to NATO. They also discuss when it is plausible to say that the West was a coherent idea, and whether the Protestant Reformation was the beginning of the end for the unitary civilization that was Latin Christendom.

July 12, 2025Strength to Strength welcomed Stephen Russell to discuss the events and background that led up to the Reformation.The Reformation was an earthquake preceded by a thousand tremors. In this Talk, we will now look at numerous factors which were significant in setting the stage for the Protestant Reformation (1517–1648). First we will look at a number of people and events, roughly chronologically, which destabilized the Medieval world view. After that we will consider a number of reformers who predated the actual Reformation.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/sacred-roots-setting-the-stage-for-the-reformation/

Send us a textIn this episode of The FORGE Truth Podcast, Pete Alwinson and Jayson Quiñones begin our new series on the Five Solas of the Reformation with a deep dive into Sola Scriptura, which means Scripture Alone. They explore its historical roots in the Protestant Reformation, the distinction between general and special revelation, and the authority of the Bible over tradition and modern voices. It tackles one of the most important questions we can ask: Is the Bible truly our final authority? If you've ever wrestled with the role of Scripture in a world full of voices, don't miss this one.

In this message, Pastor Jordan explores the history and purpose of church denominations, from the early unified church to the Great Schism and the Protestant Reformation. He distinguishes between "closed-handed" core theological beliefs (like the Nicene Creed) and "open-handed" practices that lead to denominational differences. Drawing from Romans 14, Jordan encourages unity amidst diversity, emphasizing that believers, regardless of their specific denominational practices, are accepted by God and should avoid judging one another, instead focusing on their shared love for Christ and their individual gifts within the larger body of believers.

During my recent trip to Germany in conjunction with the BGEA European Congress on Evangelism, I had the immense privilege of traveling to Wittenberg, Germany and walking with one of my favorite pastors—Skip Heitzig—through the very same square where Martin Luther famously nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the church door. As we walked, we reflected on how what was intended as a discussion-starter by a monk frustrated with the problems he was seeing in the Catholic Church ultimately became a revolution that would change Christianity as we know it today. Together, Skip and I discussed why the Reformation Luther started over 500 years ago should still matter to the Church today, and how we as the Church can uphold what Luther so boldly gave his life for. Luther pointed the Church back to the free gift of grace—emphasizing the Bible, not the Church, as the ultimate authority for believers. In a time when churches all over the world seem to be leaning more towards performance versus scriptural truth, Luther's message is more relevant than ever before. Church, it's time to fearlessly stand for our faith just as Luther did all those centuries ago. 

Martin Luther's disgust with the used car salesmen of indulgence peddlers, Johann Teztel, drive him to cross the religious Rubicon and nail his 95 theses to the door.  The Protestant Reformation is about to explode. If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com⁠ ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletter⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/⁠⁠ Please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.standardoftruth.com⁠

Romans 1:16-17 — The Protestant Reformation erupted from Romans 1:16-17. In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines these vital and crucial verses that were the catalyst for Martin Luther. Some of the audience to whom Paul wrote may have been ashamed and discouraged in their faith but in boldness and inspiring confidence, Paul wrote “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Though the world ridicules the teachings of Christ and calls those who believe foolish, our faith is a fact, not a philosophy. The world might see us as fools, but we are affirmed and protected by our Savior. The gospel is full of hope for the fallen world. As the Doctor explains, Paul's teaching exposes the sin of humanity and that Christ's death and resurrection were for all social statuses. Thus, every person can rest in the hope that there is joy of being loved by our Lord and in being considered foolish in the eyes of the world.