Podcasts about Wycliffe

How can you build iconic characters that your readers want to keep coming back to? How can you be the kind of creator that readers trust, even without social media? With Claire Taylor In the intro, Dan Brown talks writing and publishing [Tetragrammaton]; Design Rules That Make or Break a Book [Self-Publishing Advice]; Amazon's DRM change [Kindlepreneur]; Show me the money [Rachael Herron]; AI bible translation [Wycliffe, Pope Leo tweet]. Plus, Business for Authors 24 Jan webinar, and Bones of the Deep. Today's show is sponsored by Bookfunnel, the essential tool for your author business. Whether it's delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out ebooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel does it all. Check it out at bookfunnel.com/thecreativepenn This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Claire Taylor is a humour and mystery author, the owner of FFS Media, and a certified Enneagram coach. She teaches authors to write stronger stories and build sustainable careers at LiberatedWriter.com, and her book is Write Iconic Characters: Unlocking the Core Motivations that Fuel Unforgettable Stories. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights, and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Why Claire left social media and how she still markets her books and services What the Enneagram is and how core fears and desires shape character motivation Using Enneagram types (including Wednesday Addams as an example) to write iconic characters Creating rich conflict and relationships by pairing different Enneagram types on the page Coping with rapid change, AI, and fear in the author community in 2026 Building a trustworthy, human author brand through honesty, transparency, and vulnerability You can find Claire at LiberatedWriter.com, FFS.media, or on Substack as The Liberated Writer. Transcript of the interview with Claire Taylor Joanna: Claire Taylor is a humour and mystery author, the owner of FFS Media, and a certified Enneagram coach. She teaches authors to write stronger stories and build sustainable careers at LiberatedWriter.com, and her book is Write Iconic Characters: Unlocking the Core Motivations that Fuel Unforgettable Stories. So, welcome back to the show, Claire. Claire: Thank you so much for having me back. I'm excited to be here. Joanna: It's great to have you back on the show. It was March 2024 when you were last on, so almost two years now as this goes out. Give us a bit of an update. How has your writing craft and your author business changed in that time? Claire: One of the things I've been focusing on with my own fiction craft is deconstructing the rules of how a story “should” be. That's been a sort of hobby focus of mine. All the story structure books aren't law, right? That's why there are so many of them. They're all suggestions, frameworks. They're all trying to quantify humans' innate ability to understand a story. So I'm trying to remember more that I already know what a story is, deep down. My job as an author is to keep the reader's attention from start to finish and leave them feeling the way I hope they'll feel at the end. That's been my focus on the craft side. On the author business side, I've made some big shifts. I left social media earlier this year, and I've been looking more towards one-on-one coaching and networking. I did a craft-based Kickstarter, and I'd been focusing a lot on “career, career, career”—very business-minded—and now I'm creating more content again, especially around using the Enneagram for writing craft. So there's been a lot of transition since 2024 for me. Joanna: I think it's so important—and obviously we're going to get into your book in more detail—but I do think it's important for people to hear about our pivots and transitions. I haven't spoken to you for a while, but I actually started a master's degree a few months back. I'm doing a full-time master's alongside everything else I do. So I've kind of put down book writing for the moment, and I'm doing essay writing and academic writing instead. It's quite different, as you can imagine. It sounds like what you're doing is different too. One thing I know will have perked up people's ears is: “I left social media.” Tell us a bit more about that. Claire: This was a move that I could feel coming for a while. I didn't like what social media did to my attention. Even when I wasn't on it, there was almost a hangover from having been on it. My attention didn't feel as sharp and focused as it used to be, back before social media became what it is now. So I started asking myself some questions: What is lost if I leave? What is gained if I leave? And what is social media actually doing for me today? Because sometimes we hold on to what it used to do for us, and we keep trying to squeeze more and more of that out of it. But it has changed so much. There are almost no places with sufficient organic reach anymore. It's all pay-to-play, and the cost of pay-to-play keeps going up. I looked at the numbers for my business. My Kickstarter was a great place to analyse that because they track so many traffic sources so clearly. I could see exactly how much I was getting from social media when I advertised and promoted my projects there. Then I asked: can I let that go in order to get my attention back and make my life feel more settled? And I decided: yes, I can. That's worth more to me. Joanna: There are some things money can't buy. Sometimes it really isn't about the money. I like your question: what is lost and what is gained? You also said it's all pay-to-play and there's no organic reach. I do think there is some organic reach for some people who don't pay, but those people are very good at playing the game of whatever the platform wants. So, TikTok for example—you might not have to pay money yet, but you do have to play their game. You have to pay with your time instead of money. I agree with you. I don't think there's anywhere you can literally just post something and know it will reliably reach the people who follow you. Claire: Right. Exactly. TikTok currently, if you really play the game, will sometimes “pick” you, right? But that “pick me” energy is not really my jam. And we can see the trend—this “organic” thing doesn't last. It's organic for now. You can play the game for now, but TikTok would be crazy not to change things so they make more money. So eventually everything becomes pay-to-play. TikTok is fun, but for me it's addictive. I took it off my phone years ago because I would do the infinite scroll. There's so much candy there. Then I'd wake up the next morning and notice my mood just wasn't where I wanted it to be. My energy was low. I really saw a correlation between how much I scrolled and how flat I felt afterwards. So I realised: I'm not the person to pay-to-play or to play the game here. I'm not even convinced that the pay-to-play on certain social media networks is being tracked in a reliable, accountable way anymore. Who is holding them accountable for those numbers? You can sort of see correlation in your sales, but still, I just became more and more sceptical. In the end, it just wasn't for me. My life is so much better on a daily basis without it. That's definitely a decision I have not regretted for a second. Joanna: I'm sorry to keep on about this, but I think this is great because this is going out in January 2026, and there will be lots of people examining their relationship with social media. It's one of those things we all examine every year, pretty much. The other thing I'd add is that you are a very self-aware person. You spend a lot of time thinking about these things and noticing your own behaviour and energy. Stopping and thinking is such an important part of it. But let's tackle the big question: one of the reasons people don't want to come off social media is that they're afraid they don't know how else to market. How are you marketing if you're not using social media? Claire: I didn't leave social media overnight. Over time, I've been adjusting and transitioning, preparing my business and myself mentally and emotionally for probably about a year. I still market to my email list. That has always been important to my business. I've also started a Substack that fits how my brain works. Substack is interesting. Some people might consider it a form of social media—it has that new reading feed—but it feels much more like blogging to me. It's blogging where you can be discovered, which is lovely. I've been doing more long-form content there. You get access to all the emails of your subscribers, which is crucial to me. I don't want to build on something I can't take with me. So I've been doing more long-form content, and that seems to keep my core audience with me. I've got plenty of people subscribed; people continue to come back, work with me, and tell their friends. Word of mouth has always been the way my business markets best, because it's hard to describe the benefits of what I do in a quick, catchy way. It needs context. So I'm leaning even more on that. Then I'm also shifting my fiction book selling more local. Joanna: In person? Claire: Yes. In person and local. Networking and just telling more people that I'm an author. Connecting more deeply with my existing email lists and communities and selling that way. Joanna: I think at the end of the day it does come back to the email list. I think this is one of the benefits of selling direct to people through Shopify or Payhip or whatever, or locally, because you can build your email list. Every person you bring into your own ecosystem, you get their data and you can stay in touch. Whereas all the things we did for years to get people to go to Amazon, we didn't get their emails and details. It's so interesting where we are right now in the author business. Okay, we'll come back to some of these things, but let's get into the book and what you do. Obviously what underpins the book is the Enneagram. Just remind us what the Enneagram is, why you incorporate it into so much of your work, and why you find it resonates so much. Claire: The Enneagram is a framework that describes patterns of thoughts, feelings, and actions that tend to arise from nine different core motivations. Those core motivations are made up of a fear–desire pair. So, for instance, there's the fear of lacking worth and the desire to be worthy. That pair is the Type Three core motivation. If you're a Type Three, sometimes called “The Achiever,” that's your fundamental driver. What we fear and desire above all the other fears and desires determines where our attention goes. And attention is something authors benefit greatly from understanding. We have to keep people's attention, so we want to understand our own attention and how to cultivate it. The things our attention goes to build our understanding of ourselves and the world. Being intentional about that, and paying attention to what your characters pay attention to—and what your readers are paying attention to—is hugely beneficial. It can give you a real leg up. That's why I focus on the Enneagram. I find it very useful at that core level. You can build a lot of other things on top of it with your characters: their backstory, personal histories, little quirks—all of that can be built off the Enneagram foundation. Why I like the Enneagram more than other frameworks like MBTI or the Big Five is that it not only shows us how our fears are confining us—that's really what it's charting—but it also shows us a path towards liberation from those fears. That's where the Enneagram really shines: the growth path, the freedom from the confines of our own personality. It offers that to anyone who wants to study and discover it. A lot of the authors I work with say things like, “I'm just so sick of my own stuff.” And I get it. We all get sick of running into the same patterns over and over again. We can get sick of our personality! The Enneagram is a really good tool for figuring out what's going on and how to try something new, because often we can't even see that there are other options. We have this particular lens we're looking through. That's why I like to play with it, and why I find it so useful. Joanna: That's really interesting. It sounds like you have a lot of mature authors—and when I say “mature,” I mean authors with a lot of books under their belt, not necessarily age. There are different problems at different stages of the author career, and the problem you just described—“I'm getting sick of my stuff”—sounds like a mature author issue. What are some of the other issues you see in the community that are quite common amongst indie authors? Claire: One that comes up a lot, especially early on, is: “Am I doing this right?” That's a big question. People say, “I don't know if I'm doing this right. I'm going to mess it up. This person told me this was the way to do things, but I don't think I can do it this way. Am I doomed?” That's the fear. A lot of what I help people with is seeing that there isn't a single “right” way to do this. There's a way that's going to feel more aligned to you, and there are millions of ways to approach an author career because we're all constructing it as we go. You were there in the early days. We were all just making this up as we went along. Joanna: Exactly. There was a time when ebooks were PDFs, there wasn't even a Kindle, and there was no iPhone. We were literally just making it up. Claire: Right. Exactly. That spirit of “we're all making it up” is important. Some of us have come up with frameworks that work for us, and then we tell other people about them—“Here's a process; try this process”—but that doesn't mean it's the process. Understanding what motivates you—those core motivations—helps you see where you're going to bump into advice that's not right for you, and how to start making decisions that fit your attention, your life, your desires in this author role. Early on we do a lot of that work. Then there are the authors who started a while ago and have a bunch of books. They hit a point where they say, “I've changed so much since I started writing. I need to figure out how to adjust my career.” Joanna: Tell us more about that, because I think that's you and me. How do we deal with that? Claire: Well, crying helps. Joanna: That is true! There's always a bit of crying involved in reinvention. From my perspective, my brand has always been built around me. People are still here—I know some people listening who have been with the podcast since I started it in 2009—and I've always been me. Even though I've done loads of different things and changed along the way, at heart I'm still me. I'm really glad I built a personal brand around who I am, rather than around one genre or a single topic. How about you? How do you see it? Claire: I'm the same. I just can't stick with something that doesn't feel right for me anymore. I'll start to rebel against it. There's also that “good girl” part of me that wants to do things the way they're supposed to be done and keep everybody happy. I have to keep an eye on her, because she'll default to “this is the way it should be done,” and then I end up constricted. As we advance through our careers, positioning around what motivates us and what we love, and allowing ourselves to understand that it's okay to change—even though it's painful—is crucial. It's actually destructive not to change over time. We end up forfeiting so many things that make life worth living if we don't allow ourselves to grow and change. We end up in this tiny box. People sometimes say the Enneagram is very restrictive. “It's only nine types, you're putting me in a box.” It's like: no. These are the boxes we've put ourselves in. Then we use the Enneagram to figure out how to get out of the box. As we start to see the box we've put ourselves in with our personality—“that's me, that's not me”—we realise how much movement we actually have, how many options we have, while still being ourselves. Joanna: So many options. This kind of brings us into your book, because part of the personal brand thing is being real and having different facets. Your book is Write Iconic Characters, and presumably these are characters that people want to read more about. It uses the Enneagram to construct these better characters. So first up— What's your definition of an iconic character, as opposed to any old character? And how can we use the Enneagram to construct one? Claire: An iconic character, in my imagination, is one that really sticks with us after we've finished the story. They become a reference point. We'll say, “This person is kind of like that character,” or “This situation feels like that character would handle it this way.” It could be our friends, our enemies, someone we meet on the bus—whoever it is might remind us of this character. So they really get lodged in our psyche. An iconic character feels true to some fundamental part of the human condition, even if they're not strictly human. So, all the alien romance people listening, don't worry—you're still in! These characters take on a life of their own. With an iconic character, we may hear them talking to us after the book is done, because we've tapped into that essential part of them. They can become almost archetypal—something we go back to over and over again in our minds, both as writers and as readers. Joanna: How can we use the Enneagram to construct an iconic character? I'm asking this as a discovery writer who struggles to construct anything beforehand. It's more that I write stuff and then something emerges. But I have definitely not had a hit series with an iconic character, so I'm willing to give your approach a try. Claire: It works with whatever your process is. If you're a discovery writer, start with that spark of a character in your head. If there's a character who's just a glimmer—maybe you know a few things about them—just keep writing. At some point you'll probably recognise, “Okay, it's time to go deeper in understanding this character and create a cohesive thread to pull all of this together.” That's where the Enneagram becomes useful. You can put on your armchair psychologist hat and ask: which of the nine core fears seems like it might be driving the parts of their personality that are emerging? Thankfully, we intuitively recognise the nine types. When we start gathering bits for a new character, we tend to pull from essentially the same constellation of personality, even if we don't realise it. For instance, you might say, “This character is bold and adventurous,” and that's all you know. You're probably not going to also add, “and they're incredibly shy,” because “bold and adventurous” plus “incredibly shy” doesn't really fit our intuitive understanding of people. We know that instinctively. So, you've got “bold and adventurous.” You write that to a certain point, and then you get to a place where you think, “I don't really know them deeply.” That's when you can go back to the nine core fears and start ruling some out quite quickly. In the book, I have descriptions for each of them. You can read the character descriptions, read about the motivations, and start to say, “It's definitely not these five types. I can rule those out.” If they're bold and adventurous, maybe the core fear is being trapped in deprivation and pain, or being harmed and controlled. Those correspond to Type Seven (“The Enthusiast”) and Type Eight (“The Challenger”), respectively. So you might say, “Okay, maybe they're a Seven or an Eight.” From there, if you can pin down a type, you can read more about it and get ideas. You can understand the next big decision point. If they're a Type Seven, what's going to motivate them? They'll do whatever keeps them from being trapped in pain and deprivation, and they'll be seeking satisfaction or new experiences in some way, because that's the core desire that goes with that fear. So now, you're asking: “How do I get them to get on the spaceship and leave Earth?” Well, you could offer them some adventure, because they're bold and adventurous. I have a character who's a Seven, and she gets on a spaceship and takes off because her boyfriend just proposed—and the idea of being trapped in marriage feels like: “Nope. Whatever is on this spaceship, I'm out of here.” You can play with that once you identify a type. You can go as deep with that type as you want, or you can just work with the core fear and the basic desire. There's no “better or worse”—it's whatever you feel comfortable with and whatever you need for the story. Joanna: In the book, you go into all the Enneagram types in detail, but you also have a specific example: Wednesday Addams. She's one of my favourites. People listening have either seen the current series or they have something in mind from the old-school Addams Family. Can you talk about [Wednesday Addams] as an example? Claire: Doing those deep dives was some of the most fun research for this book. I told my husband, John, “Don't bother me. I need to sit and binge-watch Wednesday again—with my notebook this time.” Online, people were guessing: “Oh, she's maybe this type, maybe that type.” As soon as I started watching properly with the Enneagram in mind, I thought: “Oh, this is a Type Eight, this is the Challenger.” One of the first things we hear from her is that she considers emotions to be weakness. Immediately, you can cross out a bunch of types from that. When we're looking at weak/strong language—that lens of “strength” versus “weakness”—we tend to look towards Eights, because they often sort the world in those terms. They're concerned about being harmed or controlled, so they feel they need to be strong and powerful. That gave me a strong hint in that direction. If we look at the inciting incident—which is a great place to identify what really triggers a character, because it has to be powerful enough to launch the story—Wednesday finds her little brother Pugsley stuffed in a locker. She says, “Who did this?” because she believes she's the only one who gets to bully him. That's a very stereotypical Type Eight thing. The unhealthy Eight can dip into being a bit of a bully because they're focused on power and power dynamics. But the Eight also says, “These are my people. I protect them. If you're one of my people, you're under my protection.” So there's that protection/control paradox. Then she goes and—spoiler—throws a bag of piranhas into the pool to attack the boys who hurt him. That's like: okay, this is probably an Eight. Then she has control wrested from her when she's sent to the new school. That's a big trigger for an Eight: to not have autonomy, to not have control. She acts out pretty much immediately, tries to push people away, and establishes dominance. One of the first things she does is challenge the popular girl to a fencing match. That's very Eight behaviour: “I'm going to go in, figure out where I sit in this power structure, and try to get into a position of power straight away.” That's how the story starts, and in the book I go into a lot more analysis. At one point she's attacked by this mysterious thing and is narrowly saved from a monster. Her reaction afterwards is: “I would have rather saved myself.” That's another strong Eight moment. The Eight does not like to be saved by anyone else. It's: “No, I wanted to be strong enough to do that.” Her story arc is also very Eight-flavoured: she starts off walled-off, “I can do it myself,” which can sometimes look like the self-sufficiency of the Five, but for her it's about always being in a power position and in control of herself. She has to learn to rely more on other people if she wants to protect the people she cares about. Protecting the innocent and protecting “her people” is a big priority for the Eight. Joanna: Let's say we've identified our main character and protagonist. One of the important things in any book, especially in a series, is conflict—both internal and external. Can we use the Enneagram to work out what would be the best other character, or characters, to give us more conflict? Claire: The character dynamics are complex, and all types are going to have both commonalities and conflict between them. That works really well for fiction. But depending on how much conflict you need, there are certain type pairings that are especially good for it. If you have a protagonist who's an Eight, they're going to generate conflict everywhere because it doesn't really bother them. They're okay wading into conflict. If you ask an Eight, “Do you like conflict?” they'll often say, “Well, sometimes it's not great,” but to everyone else it looks like they come in like a wrecking ball. The Eight tends to go for what they want. They don't see the point in waiting. They think, “I want it, I'm going to go and get it.” That makes them feel strong and powerful. So it's easy to create external and internal conflict with an Eight and other types. But the nature of the conflict is going to be different depending on who you pair them with. Let's say you have this Eight and you pair them with a Type One, “The Reformer,” whose core fear is being bad or corrupt, and who wants to be good and have integrity. The Reformer wants morality. They can get a little preachy; they can become a bit of a zealot when they're more unhealthy. A One and an Eight will have a very particular kind of conflict because the One says, “Let's do what's right,” and the Eight says, “Let's do what gets me what I want and puts me in the power position.” They may absolutely get along if they're taking on injustice. Ones and Eights will team up if they both see the same thing as unjust. They'll both take it on together. But then they may reach a point in the story where the choice is between doing the thing that is “right”—maybe self-sacrificing or moral—versus doing the thing that will exact retribution or secure a power-up. That's where the conflict between a One and an Eight shows up. You can grab any two types and they'll have unique conflict. I'm actually working on a project on Kickstarter that's all about character dynamics and relationships—Write Iconic Relationships is the next project—and I go deeper into this there. Joanna: I was wondering about that, because I did a day-thing recently with colour palettes and interior design—which is not usually my thing—so I was really challenging myself. We did this colour wheel, and they were talking about how the opposite colour on the wheel is the one that goes with it in an interesting way. I thought— Maybe there's something in the Enneagram where it's like a wheel, and the type opposite is the one that clashes or fits in a certain way. Is that a thing? Claire: There is a lot of that kind of contrast. The Enneagram is usually depicted in a circle, one through nine, and there are strong contrasts between types that are right next to each other, as well as interesting lines that connect them. For example, we've been talking about the Eight, and right next to Eight is Nine, “The Peacemaker.” Eights and Nines can look like opposites in certain ways. The Nine is conflict-avoidant, and the Eight tends to think you get what you want by pushing into conflict if necessary. Then you've got Four, “The Individualist,” which is very emotional, artistic, heart-centred, and Five, “The Investigator,” which you're familiar with—very head-centred and analytical, thinking-based. The Four and the Five can clash a bit: the head and the heart. So, yes, there are interesting contrasts right next to each other on the wheel. Each type also has its own conflict style. We're going into the weeds a bit here, but it's fascinating to play with. There's one conflict style—the avoidant conflict style, sometimes called the “positive outlook” group—and it's actually hard to get those types into an enemies-to-lovers romance because they don't really want to be enemies. That's Types Two, Seven, and Nine. So depending on the trope you're writing, some type pairings are more frictional than others. There are all these different dynamics you can explore, and I can't wait to dig into them more for everyone in the relationships book. Joanna: The Enneagram is just one of many tools people can use to figure out themselves as well as their characters. Maybe that's something people want to look at this year. You've got this book, you've got other resources that go into it, and there's also a lot of information out there if people want to explore it more deeply. Let's pull back out to the bigger picture, because as this goes out in January 2026, I think there is a real fear of change in the community right now. Is that something you've seen? What are your thoughts for authors on how they can navigate the year ahead? Claire: Yes, there has been a lot of fear. The rate of change of things online has felt very rapid. The rate of change in the broader world—politically, socially—has also felt scary to a lot of people. It can be really helpful to look at your own personal life and anchor yourself in what hasn't changed and what feels universal. From there you can start to say, “Okay, I can do this. I'm safe enough to be creative. I can find creative ways to work within this new environment.” You can choose to engage with AI. You can choose to opt out. It's totally your choice, and there is no inherent virtue in either one. I think that's important to say. Sometimes people who are anti-AI—not just uninterested but actively antagonistic—go after people who like it. And sometimes people who like AI can be antagonistic towards people who don't want to use it. But actually, you get to choose what you're comfortable with. One of the things I see emerging for authors in 2026, regardless of what tools you're using or how you feel about them, is this question of trustworthiness. I think there's a big need for that. With the increased number of images and videos that are AI-generated—which a lot of people who've been on the internet for a while can still recognise as AI and say, “Yeah, that's AI”—but that may not be obvious for long. Right now some of us can tell, but a lot of people can't, and that's only going to get murkier. There's a rising mistrust of our own senses online lately. We're starting to wonder, “Can I believe what I'm seeing and hearing?” And I think that sense of mistrust will increase. As an author in that environment, it's really worth focusing on: how do I build trust with my readers? That doesn't mean you never use AI. It might simply mean you disclose, to whatever extent feels right for you, how you use it. There are things like authenticity, honesty, vulnerability, humility, integrity, transparency, reliability—all of those are ingredients in this recipe of trustworthiness that we need to look at for ourselves. If there's one piece of hard inner work authors can do for 2026, I think it's asking: “Where have I not been trustworthy to my readers?” Then taking that hard, sometimes painful look at what comes up, and asking how you can adjust. What do you need to change? What new practices do you need to create that will increase trustworthiness? I really think that's the thing that's starting to erode online. If you can work on it now, you can hold onto your readers through whatever comes next. Joanna: What's one concrete thing people could do in that direction [to increase trustworthiness]? Claire: I would say disclosing if you use AI is a really good start—or at least disclosing how you use it specifically. I know that can lead to drama when you do it because people have strong opinions, but trustworthiness comes at the cost of courage and honesty. Transparency is another ingredient we could all use more of. If transparency around AI is a hard “absolutely not” for you—if you're thinking, “Nope, Claire, you can get lost with that”—then authenticity is another route. Let your messy self be visible, because people still want some human in the mix. Being authentically messy and vulnerable with your audience helps. If you can't be reliable and put the book out on time, at least share what's going on in your life. Staying connected in that way builds trust. Readers will think, “Okay, I see why you didn't hit that deadline.” But if you're always promising books—“It's going to be out on this day,” and then, “Oh, I had to push it back,” and that happens again and again—that does erode the trustworthiness of your brand. So, looking at those things and asking, “How am I cultivating trust, and how am I breaking it?” is hard work. There are definitely ways I look at my own business and think, “That's not a very trustworthy thing I'm doing.” Then I need to sit down, get real with myself, and see how I can improve that. Joanna: Always improving is good. Coming back to the personal brand piece, and to being vulnerable and putting ourselves out there: you and I have both got used to that over years of doing it and practising. There are people listening who have never put their photo online, or their voice online, or done a video. They might not use their photo on the back of their book or on their website. They might use an avatar. They might use a pen name. They might be afraid of having anything about themselves online. That's where I think there is a concern, because as much as I love a lot of the AI stuff, I don't love the idea of everything being hidden behind anonymous pen names and faceless brands. As you said, being vulnerable in some way and being recognisably human really matters. I'd say: double down on being human. I think that's really important. Do you have any words of courage for people who feel, “I just can't. I don't want to put myself out there”? Claire: There are definitely legitimate reasons some people wouldn't want to be visible. There are safety reasons, cultural reasons, family reasons—all sorts of factors. There are also a lot of authors who simply haven't practised the muscle of vulnerability. You build that muscle a little bit at a time. It does open you up to criticism, and some people are just not at a phase of life where they can cope with that. That's okay. If fear is the main reason—if you're hiding because you're scared of being judged—I do encourage you to step out, gently. This may be my personal soapbox, but I don't think life is meant to be spent hiding. Things may happen. Not everyone will like you. That's part of being alive. When you invite in hiding, it doesn't just stay in one corner. That constricted feeling tends to spread into other areas of your life. A lot of the time, people I work with don't want to disclose their pen names because they're worried their parents won't approve, and then we have to unpack that. You don't have to do what your parents want you to do. You're an adult now, right? If the issue is, “They'll cut me out of the will,” we can talk about that too. That's a deeper, more practical conversation. But if it's just that they won't approve, you have more freedom than you think. You also don't have to plaster your picture everywhere. Even if you're not comfortable showing your face, you can still communicate who you are and what matters to you in other ways—through your stories, through your email list, through how you talk to readers. Let your authentic self be expressed in some way. It's scary, but the reward is freedom. Joanna: Absolutely. Lots to explore in 2026. Tell people where they can find you and your books and everything you do online. Claire: LiberatedWriter.com is where all of my stuff lives, except my fiction, which I don't think people here are necessarily as interested in. If you do want to find my fiction, FFS Media is where that lives. Then I'm on Substack as well. I write long pieces there. If you want to subscribe, it's The Liberated Writer on Substack. Joanna: Brilliant. Well, thanks so much for your time, Claire. That was great. Claire: Thanks so much for having me.The post Leaving Social Media, Writing Iconic Characters, and Building Trust With Claire Taylor first appeared on The Creative Penn.

We welcome Brother Wayne Huff as he shares from Luke 2 about what it means to go and see and go and tell.  Brother Huff also shares about his experiences with the people of Guatemala.  12/07/2025 Evening Service

Sir Isaac Newton used this metaphor in a 1675 letter: "if I have seen further [than others], it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” A man of science AND faith, he became one of the many intellectual and spiritual giants we will study on this incredible tour.You've heard of Wycliffe, Tyndale, Wesley, and Wilberforce. You've read Bunyan, Lewis, and Tolkien. Come and “meet” the people who form the bridge between Bible times and our times!The impact of the Christian faith on England and Scotland over the past 1800 years has not only shaped American and western Christianity, but also western and even global civilization. Join us and walk in the steps of the kings and queens, monks and poets, scholars and statesmen who gave us free society, freedom of worship, the Scriptures in English, and a vision for world mission - all preserved in a beautiful and ancient land of gothic cathedrals, medieval monasteries and ancient universities. Trace the path from our times to Bible times, and give your modern faith ancient roots, October 13-22, 2026.https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-england-scotland-2026Watch the trailer:https://vimeo.com/1142158461?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ciBlog video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noIkEafYWzYRead the 2025 trip blog: https://gtitours.org/tour-journal/signature-england-scotland-2025 

“God Is Fully With Us In These Strange Days”   By Mary Lindow   Just over 2,000 years ago, Emmanuel, also called the Christ, changed the world.  In that moment when God became flesh, humanity watched prophecies unfold as hope was born. Jesus, our Emmanuel, provided hope that sin and death wouldn't always win and mankind wouldn't always feel so painfully alone.    What Does Emmanuel Mean in the Bible? It's a word written on countless Christmas cards and sung in some of our most-loved carols.  In Scripture, it first appears in the Old Testament in Isaiah 7:14, which says,    “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign;  The virgin will conceive, and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Emmanuel”.   The Lord Himself will do this, Scripture says.  In other words, this act, which occurred in the birth of Christ, was God-ordained and God-accomplished.    This points to grace, which doesn't come through human effort but rather through relying on God to do what we humans cannot. This was the reason Christ came.    God GAVE us this child, named Emmanuel, which literally means,  “with us is God,” or “God WITH us.”    He may seem distant.  It may even seem impossible this year for you to feel hopeful.  You might have lost your job.  Or maybe you're feeling isolated from those you love.  You may have even grieved the loss of a family member or friend.   Though he may have felt far away to them,  God was so much closer than his people knew — gently planning Jesus' entrance into the world in the most unexpected way.   Looking around, all you might be able to see right now is darkness.  If you try to adjust your eyes, blinking into the night, there seems to be no light.  The weight of sickness, death, injustice and pain perhaps, seem too heavy.   That's why I love this idea of advent which is practiced only among Christians.  And yes, it comes from probably a more liturgical view, but has been so embraced and now practice in homes and church gatherings across the world, as families gather to contemplate and to pray and to spend quiet time discussing when Jesus came as a child as the Messiah!  Emmanuel!!! God WITH Us!     Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and refers to the Christian season that begins four Sundays before Christmas, where focusing on preparation for the celebration of Jesus's birth and his anticipated return is a beautiful thing! It's definitely better than the commercial glut of constant “buy, buy, buy,” and, the overkill of sappy fantasy Christmas shows, as well as the pressurized giving of gifts to every boss, coworker, friend and pet!  It's a time of expectation, reverence and hope for many Christians!   I was reading through a Wycliffe advent devotional last evening, and these words so struck me that I'm going to share them with you trusting that they too, will move your heart to remember that Emmanuel, God …. IS with us!  No matter what may come   This excerpt of the devotional said, “As we enter the Advent season, do you feel weary? You're not alone. Or maybe you're just tired. Numb. Ready to pull the covers over your head and try this whole "Christmas cheer" thing again next year.    Don't feel guilty.  Instead, acknowledge the very real darkness of this world and you'll have eyes to see Advent through the same lens as the people waiting for a Messiah thousands of years ago. You could even say that being weary and worn out is an acceptable place from which to approach this Advent season. Because Advent exists to remind us that, while darkness surrounds us and troubles exist, the hope of Christmas isn't far away.   The people of Israel hadn't heard anything from God about their redeemer.  God's chosen people must have cried out to him, asking how long it would be before their hope, their salvation, would arrive!  It was too dark, and God seemed to be silent.    Has he felt that way to you this year? Silent? Though he may have felt far away to them, God was so much closer than his people knew —gently planning Jesus' entrance into the world in the most unexpected way.   But at the appointed time, Jesus came — God with us in flesh and blood. Born in Bethlehem, carried to Egypt, raised in Nazareth. Son of Man and Son of God. A humble child and a holy King. Worshiped by some, rejected by many. Fully human, yet eternally divine.”     What beautiful and raw honesty in those words in that excerpt from the devotional!   Friends! Any way you look at it, Emmanuel was a living Divine Grace.  The infinite King, wrapped in the cloth of an infant.  The holy One, living among the fallen.  In Him, the impossible became real, not only in prophecy, but in His very presence.    When God stepped into our world,  “impossible” lost all meaning.     In Isaiah 42:16 it says, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;  I will lead them in paths that they have not known:  I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.  These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”      Dear believer!  The darkness of this world has always tried encroach upon the joy and the hope of God being with his people.  It hates that we cling to the light, and even though we cannot see or understand, everything fully about the ONE who came and paid the price for us, yet we abandoned our own hearts to him, trusting that he will guide and light our path. It is in this practice that all of hell must bow its knee and tremble for the very fact that Christ is in us and he is the hope of glory.  Someday we will return to the ONE who created us, but for now, he has come to walk with us, to be with us, and his Holy Spirit is here to correct, to guide, to convict and to advocate for us.    Let us cry out, “Oh Come! Oh Come Emmanuel! Oh come God! Be with us, in us, and move through us to help others who are trapped in the darkness!”   Let's take time to pray together about all of this right now. Lord God, only you can see into our hearts and know that under all the busy-ness of our lives , there is a deep longing to make this season one that welcomes you more deeply into our own lives.   Our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds search for your Light in the midst of the darkness. Help us to be peacemakers this season and to give special love to those who disagree with us. Please, Give us the strength and courage to forgive those who have hurt us or who treat us dismissively. Help us to free our hearts from the prison of anger and hurt. Only you Lord can bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us rest in this weary world. We thank you for being a God that IS  with us! Amen.   Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed As long as the complete message, website and podcast  information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You! Copyright © 2025   " THE MESSENGER "  - "The Advocate of Hope"  Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com PODCAST   If you would be so kind and assist Mary helping her to meet other administrative needs such as website and podcast costs,  or  desire to bless her service in ministry with Spirit-led Love gifts or regular support: Please JOYFULLY send your gift in the form of:  ► Personal Checks ► Business Checks ► Money Orders ► Cashiers Checks To:  His Beloved Ministries Inc.  PO Box 1253 Denver, Colorado 80614  USA    Or feel free to use our send a tax-deductible gift with Pay Pal   paypal.me/mlindow  Under the name of - Mary Lindow His Beloved Ministries Inc.    ALL gifts are tax-deductible under His Beloved Ministries 5013c non-profit status.   We are financially accountable and have been in full compliance since 1985.  THANK YOU!      

"Has the doctrine of justification by faith alone really been the faith of the church in every age—or was it invented at the Reformation?In Galatians 2:15–16, Paul declares that “a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox critics often claim that the Reformation view of justification is a late, novel interpretation. But the testimony of Scripture and church history shows otherwise.In this sermon, we explore:The Perspicuity of Scripture – why Paul's teaching on justification is clear and authoritativeThe Early Church Fathers – Clement, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Chrysostom, Basil, Ambrosiaster, and others who spoke of justification by faith aloneAugustine & the Medieval Witnesses – how even in the Middle Ages, voices like Anselm, Bernard, and Wycliffe upheld the truth that salvation is wholly of graceThe Reformation – not a new doctrine, but a return to the biblical and historic gospelFrom Adam to Abraham, from Paul to the Reformers, from the fathers to faithful believers in every century, the church has always confessed the same truth:We are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.#JustificationByFaith #FaithAlone #SolaFide #Galatians #ChurchHistory #ReformedTheology #GospelTruth #ChristAlone #GraceAlone"

Wycliffe Bible Translators started with the idea that everyone should be able to read the Bible in their heart language. In this episode of Unscrolled, host Matthias Walther talks with Wycliffe's CEO Dr. John Chesnut, and his wife, Spiritual Development Officer, Kelly Chesnut, about the stories of how the Bible has transformed hearts and communities.   Guest bio: Dr. John Chesnut is the president and CEO of Wycliffe Bible Translators, and Kelly Chesnut serves as Spiritual Development Officer.  Show Notes:  wycliffe.org illuminations.bible museumofthebible.org/floor-4-the-history-of-the-bible  Stay up to date with Museum of the Bible on social media:  Instagram: @museumofBible  X: @museumofBible  Facebook: museumofBible  Linkedin: museumofBible  YouTube: @museumoftheBible 

In this episode, we explore the courageous men who paved the way for Martin Luther—followers of Jesus who, long before the Reformation, risked everything to return the church to the authority of Scripture.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Big Idea:Long before Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses, God was already stirring reform in the hearts of ordinary believers. From Peter Waldo to John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, and William Tyndale, the spark of reformation began not in cathedrals but in the conviction that the Bible—not the pope—was the true authority of the church.Episode OverviewFormation → Conformation → Deformation → ReformationThe first-century church was formed as a grassroots gospel movement led by the apostles (Acts 2).The following centuries saw conformation through creeds and councils that clarified core doctrine.After the fall of Rome, the church experienced deformation—institutional corruption, superstition, indulgences, and a Bible out of reach for the common person.Yet even in the “Dark Ages,” God raised reformers who called His people back to the Word.Key ReformersPeter Waldo (1170 AD)A wealthy merchant who gave up his riches after reading Matthew 19:21.Funded the first vernacular translation of Scripture into French.His followers—the Waldensians—preached repentance, memorized Scripture, and survived centuries of persecution.John Wycliffe (1320s–1384)Oxford scholar who rediscovered the gospel of grace through Scripture.Declared that “Scripture alone, not popes or councils, is the final authority.”Produced the first complete English Bible (translated from the Latin Vulgate).His followers, the Lollards, secretly spread handwritten English Bibles and published the Twelve Conclusions (1395)—early “theses” against corruption, indulgences, and unbiblical traditions.Jan Hus (1369–1415)Czech priest inspired by Wycliffe's writings.Preached the gospel in Czech so people could understand the Bible.Wrote On the Church, teaching that Christ alone—not the pope—is head of the church.Burned at the stake for refusing to recant, proclaiming, “You may roast this goose, but in a hundred years a swan will arise whose song you will not silence.”A century later, Martin Luther would see himself as that “swan.”His followers, the Hussites, became the Moravians, who later influenced John Wesley and the Methodist Revival.William Tyndale (1494–1536)Scholar fluent in seven languages, determined to make Scripture accessible to every English speaker.Translated the Bible...

In this episode, we explore the courageous men who paved the way for Martin Luther—followers of Jesus who, long before the Reformation, risked everything to return the church to the authority of Scripture.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Big Idea:Long before Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses, God was already stirring reform in the hearts of ordinary believers. From Peter Waldo to John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, and William Tyndale, the spark of reformation began not in cathedrals but in the conviction that the Bible—not the pope—was the true authority of the church.Episode OverviewFormation → Conformation → Deformation → ReformationThe first-century church was formed as a grassroots gospel movement led by the apostles (Acts 2).The following centuries saw conformation through creeds and councils that clarified core doctrine.After the fall of Rome, the church experienced deformation—institutional corruption, superstition, indulgences, and a Bible out of reach for the common person.Yet even in the “Dark Ages,” God raised reformers who called His people back to the Word.Key ReformersPeter Waldo (1170 AD)A wealthy merchant who gave up his riches after reading Matthew 19:21.Funded the first vernacular translation of Scripture into French.His followers—the Waldensians—preached repentance, memorized Scripture, and survived centuries of persecution.John Wycliffe (1320s–1384)Oxford scholar who rediscovered the gospel of grace through Scripture.Declared that “Scripture alone, not popes or councils, is the final authority.”Produced the first complete English Bible (translated from the Latin Vulgate).His followers, the Lollards, secretly spread handwritten English Bibles and published the Twelve Conclusions (1395)—early “theses” against corruption, indulgences, and unbiblical traditions.Jan Hus (1369–1415)Czech priest inspired by Wycliffe's writings.Preached the gospel in Czech so people could understand the Bible.Wrote On the Church, teaching that Christ alone—not the pope—is head of the church.Burned at the stake for refusing to recant, proclaiming, “You may roast this goose, but in a hundred years a swan will arise whose song you will not silence.”A century later, Martin Luther would see himself as that “swan.”His followers, the Hussites, became the Moravians, who later influenced John Wesley and the Methodist Revival.William Tyndale (1494–1536)Scholar fluent in seven languages, determined to make Scripture accessible to every English speaker.Translated the Bible...

  Norman Gregory is an actor and director, known for A Reason to Leave (2016), A Bridge Too Far (1977) and The Cedar Tree (1976). With many years of acting experience in film, television, theatre, as well as numerous corporates and high profile TV commercials worldwide, some of his other screen credits include roles in Hazell, The Professionals, Play for Today, Brookside, Juliet Bravo, The Bill, Soldier Soldier, Taggart, Heartbeat, Wycliffe, Drop the Dead Donkey, Grafters, Lewis and Doctors. On stage, he appeared in productions of John Paul George Ringo and Bert, The Love Girl and the Innocent, Henry V, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Gloo Joo and Season's Greetings. We talk about his amazing career and about lucky breaks: great chat. To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music      

In this episode of Space for Life, host Tommy Thompson sits down with Meg Hunt, Senior Director of Strategic Services at Wycliffe Bible Translators USA, to explore how faith, technology, and community intersect in the mission to make God's Word accessible to every language on Earth.Meg shares Wycliffe's incredible progress toward its Vision 2025 goal—ensuring every language community has a Bible translation project in progress—and explains how AI is transforming translation work while maintaining a deep commitment to faithfulness and human oversight.Their conversation moves from the global mission of Wycliffe to personal reflections on faith, technology, and how communities can navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI together.Key TopicsWycliffe's mission to make God's Word available to every language and communityOver 7,000 languages worldwide, with more than 560 still without ScriptureThe story behind Vision 2025 and its bold goalHow AI supports translation while keeping humans at the centerPartnerships with local churches and communities worldwideBalancing innovation with integrity in faith-based workThe role of community and the church in navigating technologyHow AI can be both a tool for good and a challenge for discernmentPractical and personal reflections on using AI in daily lifeTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode04:30 Meg's Journey to Wycliffe and Church Planting in Orlando12:10 The Mission and History of Wycliffe Bible Translators19:45 Vision 2025: Every Language, Every Community27:15 How AI is Changing Bible Translation36:40 Faithful Translation and the Importance of Human Oversight43:55 AI, Creativity, and Overcoming Global BarriersLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

The Word Unleashed: John Wycliffe and the Vernacular Bible RevolutionEpisode DescriptionWhat if reading the Bible in your own language was considered heresy? In 14th-century England, that's exactly what the Church believed—and people died for defying that belief.Join Professor Rachel Chen in conversation with Bishop Andy Lewter, Harvard-trained church historian, as they explore the remarkable life of John Wycliffe—the "Morning Star of the Reformation"—and his dangerous dream of making Scripture accessible to ordinary people.Discover how the Roman Catholic Church used the mystery of Latin liturgy to maintain spiritual control, why Church authorities feared vernacular Bibles, and how Wycliffe's revolutionary "Lollard" preachers spread biblical teaching across England despite brutal persecution.From Wycliffe's pioneering English translation in the 1380s to Tyndale's martyrdom and Luther's bestselling German Bible, this episode traces the three-century struggle that transformed Christianity and empowered millions to encounter God's word directly.In This Episode:The mysterium tremendum: How incomprehensible Latin created spiritual power—and enabled controlWycliffe's radical reforms: English Bibles, Lollard preachers, and challenging Church wealthWhy translating Scripture was considered heresy—and why people died for itThe spread of vernacular Bibles across Europe in the 15th-17th centuriesHow printing technology turned Bibles into revolutionary documentsWycliffe's enduring legacy and what it means for believers todayPerfect for: Church history enthusiasts, Reformation scholars, anyone interested in how ordinary people gained access to Scripture, and believers curious about the Bible they hold in their hands.

In this episode, Gabriel Rutledge explores the life and legacy of John Wycliffe — the “Morning Star of the Reformation” — and his conviction that the Word of God should be read and understood by every believer. Through historical insight and biblical reflection, we uncover how Wycliffe's translation of the Bible into English and his call for public Scripture reading became an antidote to doctrinal error and heresy in a time when truth was confined to the clergy. We'll examine how communal reading of Scripture not only preserves theological integrity but also revives faith, exposes false teaching, and re-centers God's people on His Word. This message reminds us that when the Bible is hidden, error thrives—but when it's proclaimed aloud, light breaks through darkness. Key themes: The historical impact of John Wycliffe's translation work Why public reading of Scripture matters in every generation How biblical literacy safeguards the Church from deception Parallels between medieval and modern challenges to truth

Dr. Jennifer Holloran, CEO of the American Bible Society, joins host Matthias Walther on Unscrolled to share her unexpected journey from Wycliffe typist to leading a more than 200-year-old institution founded by figures like Elias Boudinot and John Jay. She explains how the society has grown from distributing Bibles to soldiers as early as 1817 to pioneering new ways of helping people engage deeply with Scripture today.  Guest Bio: Dr. Jennifer Holloran serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at the American Bible Society.  https://www.americanbible.org/ americanbible.org/news/state-of-the-bible/  Stay up to date with Museum of the Bible on social media:  Instagram: @museumofBible  X: @museumofBible  Facebook: museumofBible  Linkedin: museumofBible  YouTube: @museumoftheBible  

This week, Taylor and Jose sit down with Dr. Carl Follingstad of Wycliffe. Together they share how, even in chaos, God's presence anchors us in peace, joy, and unshakeable faith.

Our long partnership with Wycliffe continues today as we come alongside them to help complete a Bible Translation project already underway. Over the next two weekends, you'll see how this project is transforming lives—and how we can play a role in making Scripture accessible to all.

What happens when faith meets the world's most challenging frontiers? Join hosts Greg Kelley and Ruth Kramer as we talk with our partner, Wycliffe, to answer this question.  In this episode,  we'll uncover untold stories, bold missions, and the unstoppable power of hope in the Horn of Africa. From secret audio Bibles to life-changing encounters, this episode proves that light shines brightest in the darkest places. More https://www.unknownnations.com

Join Taylor and Jose as they sit down with Dr. Carl Follingstad, a Bible Translation Consultant with Wycliffe, for a thoughtful conversation on constrained ambition—and how God works powerfully through it.

A @Christadelphians Video: # SummaryThe presentation discusses the significance of the Reformation, highlighting its historical context and impact on modern Christianity. It covers key figures like Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, and William Tyndale, focusing on their challenges to the Catholic Church's authority and the role of the printing press in spreading Reformation ideas. The presentation also critiques the doctrines of the Catholic Church, particularly the selling of indulgences, and emphasises the importance of scripture as the ultimate authority in Christianity.# Highlights-

Episode Summary: (produced with new custom CastMagic prompt inside the tool)In this episode, Kenny Jahng, editor in chief of Church Tech Today explores a thought-provoking question circulating in ministry circles: Should artificial intelligence take on roles that were traditionally seen as the work of the Holy Spirit? Kenny revisits historical shifts in church technology—from microphones to Bible translation and radio—addressing modern fears and discernments around AI in the church. Tune in to hear how ministry leaders can ask better questions, engage new tools faithfully, and create more space for spiritual fruit, rather than just fearing innovation. This discussion provides practical reflection points to help pastors and church staff lead their communities into the digital age with wisdom and boldness.In This Episode, You'll Learn:How to assess if your use of AI is complementing or competing with the Holy Spirit's workHistorical examples of technology in the church—from microphones to Roman roads—that parallel today's AI debatesWhy initial fears about new tech aren't necessarily wrong, but shouldn't be the final wordHow AI is currently being used in Bible translation and gospel outreach around the worldThe importance of reframing the question from “Is AI replacing the Spirit?” to “Does this help me cooperate more closely with the Spirit?”Practical criteria to ensure technology serves ministry without compromising gospel valuesSteps for church leaders to become facilitators of responsible AI conversations in their own communitiesKey Quotes:“It isn't that first immediate reaction of hesitation to AI is wrong. I do think it reminds us that not everything new is necessarily good.” — Kenny Jahng“The upside is that technology and AI can create conditions where the fruit [of the Spirit] can actually flourish more fully. And that's good news.” — Kenny Jahng“God's spirit is not threatened by AI tools. Because, the mission isn't confined by the methods of the past.” — Kenny Jahng“Your call today is not to become an AI expert. Your call today is to become the conversation facilitator about AI in whatever environment and community that you live in.” — Kenny JahngLinks & Resources Mentioned:Missional.AI (conference/community, referenced) - https://missional.ai/Wycliffe.org (Bible translation ministry) - https://wycliffe.org/SeedCompany.com (Bible translation ministry) - https://seedcompany.com/AI for Church Leaders & Pastors Facebook Group (community for pastors and staff) About the Church Tech Today PodcastThe Church Tech Today Podcast helps pastors, church staff, and ministry leaders navigate the intersection of faith and technology with confidence. Hosted by Kenny Jahng and brought to you by www.FrontDoor.church.

Wycliffe Onduso, the Business Developer for Uganda at Lesaffre discusses the crucial role of infrastructure development in boosting Uganda's agricultural economy, emphasizing the need for good roads, electricity, and water connections. He delves into the specific challenges and opportunities within Uganda's food industry, highlighting the importance of specialty ingredients, consumer awareness, and innovative practices like the use of enzymes and frozen doughs. Wycliffe also shares insights on the future trends and investment opportunities in Uganda's food sector, offering valuable advice for aspiring professionals in sales and marketing. Don't miss this engaging conversation on how Uganda can achieve a middle-class economy by 2040.00:00 Introduction and Infrastructure Development00:42 Meet Wycliffe Onduso01:03 The Importance of Food Quality and Performance01:40 Wycliffe's Role in the Food Industry03:01 Marketing Specialty Ingredients06:53 Challenges in the Ugandan Market10:58 Health Trends and Innovations18:29 Future Opportunities in the Food Industry24:30 Advice for Aspiring MarketersFollow up with him on his social media platforms. Share your feedback and inquiries at onugandapodcast@gmail.com or call/WhatsApp +25678537996. PODCAST DISCLAIMER. The views and opinions expressed in the episode are those of the individuals. They do not represent or reflect the official position of the ON Uganda Podcast, so we do not take responsibility for any ideas expressed by guests during the Podcast episode. You are smart enough to take out what works for you. As of 6.11.24

Wycliffe courageously fought for the clear teaching of Scripture. He also translated the Bible into common English, earning the nickname Morningstar of the Reformation. The post John Wycliffe: Morningstar of the Reformation appeared first on Two Journeys.

Wycliffe courageously fought for the clear teaching of Scripture. He also translated the Bible into common English, earning the nickname Morningstar of the Reformation. The post John Wycliffe: Morningstar of the Reformation appeared first on Two Journeys.

Wycliffe courageously fought for the clear teaching of Scripture. He also translated the Bible into common English, earning the nickname Morningstar of the Reformation. The post John Wycliffe: Morningstar of the Reformation appeared first on Two Journeys.

As Charlie Higson guides us through some of the fascinating folk who litter English history, he lands upon John Wycliffe, an academic, a philosopher, a priest, a preacher and a religious reformer who lived during the reigns of Edward III and Richard II. A passionate reformer, he was behind the first translation of the bible to into English – creating the so called Wycliffe bible - one that didn't require a knowledge of Latin to read and understand. In fact, you could even argue that Wycliffe's ideas fed into the beginnings of socialism in the UK and the foundation of the welfare state. Helping Charlie understand the man, he welcomes back Rory Cox, author of John Wycliffe on War & Peace Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A @Christadelphians Video: A @Christadelphians Video: Description: Five short talks introduce the reader to the careful translation of the Bible into English from manuscripts in the original languages. Modern and earlier English Bible versions are briefly reviewed in terms of their availability in printed and electronic formats. The reader is reminded that the Bible message is more important than the means of its production. SummaryThis presentation provides an overview of the origins and evolution of the Bible, tracing its journey from the original languages to the widely available Latin Vulgate translation.Highlights

Send us a textBob and Marilyn Busenitz have served with Wycliffe Bible Translators for nearly 45 years. Hear how they have learned the Balantok language and have worked to produce the New Testament in that language. The Balantok language had never been written down before. They share some of the practical aspects of Bible translation, both the rewards and challenges and help us understand the connection between Bible translation and discipleship. Questions or comments? email us at radio@kansasnavs.org. 

on todays show we talk about The discussion delves into the historical and theological impact of John Wycliffe, a 14th-century Oxford professor who challenged the Catholic Church's authority and practices. Wycliffe's reforms included advocating for laypeople to read the Bible in their own language, criticizing the church's wealth and corruption, and questioning doctrines like Transubstantiation. His influence extended to Jan Hus and later reformers like Luther and Calvin. The conversation also touches on the broader context of the Middle Ages, the role of scholasticism, and the political dynamics between the church and state. The speakers emphasize the importance of individual faith and the need for a balanced approach to religious authority and practice. In the conversation, Speaker 1 expresses gratitude and plans to exchange emails for further discussion. Speaker 2 emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context and opposing views of one's own theological beliefs, suggesting that this deeper understanding can lead to a stronger faith. Speaker 1 humorously mentions that marrying a Catholic could shake one's certainty. The discussion then shifts to a light-hearted comment about the significance of batteries in the context of AI development, with Speaker 1 joking that whoever masters batteries will have the best AI, implying that AI could replace the need for God. Glenn Cox clarifies the joke.  Do Not Miss IT!

Taylor and Jose are Joined by Dr. Carl Follingstad, a Bible Translation Consultant with Wycliffe, to talk about the Parable of the Sower.

Send us a textBob and Marilyn Busenitz have served with Wycliffe Bible Translators for nearly 45 years. Hear how they have learned the Balantok language and have worked to produce the New Testament in that language. The Balantok language had never been written down before. They share some of the practical aspects of Bible translation, both the rewards and challenges and help us understand the connection between Bible translation and discipleship. Questions or comments? email us at radio@kansasnavs.org. 

In this segment (of our 2-part series), Bible teacher Dave Bigler (founder of Iron Sheep Ministries) does an overview of Bible translation theory and covers all major Bible translations from the pre-Christ Septuagint to modern day translations.Watch part 1 on Textual Criticism here: https://youtu.be/UO2FgjZ87r4Talk Outline:00:11 - What is the Goal00:39 - REVIEW - part 1 lecture on Textual Criticism- WHEN, WHY, and HOW were NT spread- Textual Criticism- Confidence in our text- God is sovereign (2 Tim 3:16-17)04:50 - Why are Bible Translations so controversial?06:51 - Why are there translations? Languages change, New manuscripts are found, & Translation theory10:11 - Translation Theory- Formal Equivalence (word for word)- Focus on a literal translation of the words of the text- Dynamic (or Functional) Equivalence (thought for thought)- Paraphrase 12:21 - Ancient translations to today13:10 - Septuagint (LXX - 280 - 100 BC)Earliest translation of the Bible. It is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (before Christ and the NT). 72 translators (6 from each tribe of Israel), translated at the request of the King in Alexandria. The name was eventually shortened from 72, to just 70. Septuagint is Latin for 70.15:47 - Latin Vulgate (VUL 404 AD)Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymusin aka “Jerome” was a student of languages. He was charged by Pope Damasus to complete a translation of the OT and NT into the “common tongue.” Name: Vulgate “common or commonly known.”17:18 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC - 1382)John Wycliffe was an Oxford theologian who wanted the English people to have a Bible in their own language. Wycliffe's Bible was done by hand. It is a word-for-word translation of the Latin Vulgate. Wycliffe was heavily criticized by the Church of Rome as well as the Church of England because he taught that salvation was only available through the suffering of Christ, not through the power of the church. Wycliffe was called “The Morning Star of the Reformation.” In 1415, John Wycliffe was condemned as a heretic and in 1428 (44 years after Wycliffe's death) the Bishop of England ordered Wycliffe's remains exhumed and burned and the ashes thrown into the river.22:31 - Gutenberg Bible (1455) 1450 - Johann Gutenberg invented the Gutenberg press23:18 - The Protestant Reformation. Revolt from the abuses and totalitarian control of the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther (Germany), John Calvin (France), Ulrich Zwingli (Switzerland) were foundational in the protestant reformation. 26:03 - Tyndale Bible (1534)28:15 - Geneva Bible (1560)30:29 - King James Bible (1611)35:08 - Modern English translations.36:07 - Interlinear Bible38:53 - New American Standard Bible NASB39:57 - Amplified Bible AMP42:00 - English Standard Version ESV42:56 - King James Version KJV43:18 - What is the received text or textus receptus?45:03 - New King James Version NKJV45:57 - Christian Standard Bible CSB or HCSB47:17 - New International Version NIV49:00 - New Living Translation NLT50:02 - Good News Bible GNB50:44 - The Message MSG53:05 - Bad translations of the Bible53:35 - What is the Thomas Jefferson Bible?55:28 - what is the New World Translation of the Bible?57:45 - What now, what do you do with this information?Resources:https://www.blueletterbible.org/https://www.biblegateway.com/https://www.gotquestions.org/Books used for this talk:Gurry, Peter J.. Scribes & Scripture. Weatonm, IL: Crossway, 2022.Lightfoot, Neil R.. How we got our Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003.More information on Dave Bigler and Iron Sheep Ministries: https://ironsheep.org

In this episode: John 3:16, greatest verse, love of God, Lottie Moon, missionary, Christmas offering, Jesus saviour of the world, Wycliffe translator, Belango people, plane crash, judgement, true faith, eternal life. Become a supporter and get unlimited questions turned into podcasts at: www.patreon.com/theologyandapologetics YouTube Channel: Theology & Apologetics www.youtube.com/channel/UChoiZ46uyDZZY7W1K9UGAnw Instagram: www.instagram.com/theology.apologetics Websites: www.ezrafoundation.org www.theologyandapologetics.com

Taylor and Jose are Joined by Dr. Carl Follingstad, a Bible Translation Consultant with Wycliffe, to talk about how to go from spectators to participants.

The beginning of the ongoing batlle where Satan has been attempting to corrupt God's Word. This study will look at the variuos texts that have been used in modern Bible translations.

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Many Christians couldn't imagine -not- having a Bible in the language they speak. That's the reality for millions and it's pushing Bible translators to find new -- and faster -- ways to get the scripture to every corner of the world. Wycliffe ...

Today the History of the Germans is honoured to host David Crowther, doyen of the guild of podcasters and host of the most excellent History of England Podcast. Wycliffe's writings were to prove controversial and proved an interesting early echo of the Reformation. They heavily influenced the view of Jan Hus and the movement in Bohemia. And his ability to develop and present those views owed a lot to Oxford University, and its desire to protect intellectual debate and investigation. Enjoy

In this episode, Dr. Alan Strange examines more forerunners of the Reformation, focusing on key figures like John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, and Erasmus. The discussion with host Jared Luttjeboer explores these reformers' revolutionary ideas challenging the medieval Catholic Church, including critiques of church authority, biblical interpretation, and clerical corruption. Dr. Strange also highlights Wycliffe's groundbreaking assertion of Scripture as the sole criterion of doctrine, Hus's continuation of Wycliffe's reformist teachings, and Erasmus's critical yet nuanced approach to church reform.

In this episode, Dr. Alan Strange examines more forerunners of the Reformation, focusing on key figures like John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, and Erasmus. The discussion with host Jared Luttjeboer explores these reformers' revolutionary ideas challenging the medieval Catholic Church, including critiques of church authority, biblical interpretation, and clerical corruption. Dr. Strange also highlights Wycliffe's groundbreaking assertion of Scripture as the sole criterion of doctrine, Hus's continuation of Wycliffe's reformist teachings, and Erasmus's critical yet nuanced approach to church reform.

Czy wiecie jaka jest historia chrześcijaństwa? Jak powstała ta religia oraz dlaczego się podzieliła? Dlaczego dzisiaj jest tak wiele religii chrześcijańskich? Ten odcinek zawiera uproszczoną wersję historii chrześcijaństwa w Europie. Musicie też pamiętać o tym, że dzisiaj w wielu krajach istnieje tolerancja religijna. To znaczy, że wyznawcy różnych religii tolerują siebie nawzajem. W przeszłości tak jednak nie było. Dochodziło czasem do okropnych rzeczy.Zacznijmy od samego początku. Kiedy zaczyna się historia chrześcijaństwa? Jezus został ochrzczony przez Jana Chrzciciela gdy miał około 30 lat. Trzy lata później został zabity. Ponieważ nasz kalendarz jest liczony od momentu kiedy Jezus miał się narodzić, tak więc dzień jego śmierci czyli rok 33 uznaje się za moment od kiedy istnieje religia chrześcijańska.Chrześcijanie byli bardzo długo prześladowani. Oznacza to, że zakazywano tej religii, palono jej księgi, np. Biblię, a samych chrześcijan zamykano do więzień oraz zabijano. Kiedy zakończyły się te prześladowania? W tamtych czasach w Europie rządzili cesarze rzymscy. To właśnie oni kazali prześladować chrześcijan. Nie wszyscy, ale wielu z nich, np. Neron, Domicjan, Hadrian, Trajan czy Dioklecjan. Te prześladowania zakończył cesarz Konstantyn Wielki w roku 313. Wprowadził on w cesarstwie tolerancję religijną. Tolerancja oznacza, że każdy może sobie wybrać jaką religię chce i nie będzie prześladowany.Dlaczego cesarz Konstantyn Wielki zakończył prześladowania chrześcijan? Tego cesarza wielu uznaje za pierwszego cesarza, który sam został chrześcijaninem. W 313 zakończył prześladowania chrześcijan. Rok wcześniej czyli w 312 odbyła się bitwa przy moście Mulwijskim. Podobno cesarz Konstantyn zobaczył wtedy na niebie krzyż i miał umieścić go na sztandarach swojego wojska.Konstantyn Wielki miał być pierwszym chrześcijańskim cesarzem. Po nim prawie wszyscy cesarze także byli chrześcijanami. Gdy jednak chrześcijan przestano prześladować zaczęli się oni dzielić na różne religie chrześcijańskie. Podział religii oznacza, że z jednej religii, z jednej organizacji religijnej powstają dwie mniejsze. Dlaczego jednak religie dzielą się? Są dwa główne powody. Po pierwsze religie dzielą się dlatego, że nie zgadzają się co do jakiejś nauki. Np. na soborze nicejskim w 325 spierano się o to czy Jezus jest Bogiem? Po tym soborze nastąpił podział na tych, którzy wierzyli w Trójcę i tych, którzy nie wierzyli w tą naukę.Drugi powód dla którego religie się dzielą to kwestia tego kto jest najważniejszy. Np. w kwietniu 1378 wybrano nowego papieża Urbana VI. Potem we wrześniu wybrano drugiego papieża Klemensa VII. Przez parę lat było dwóch papieży. Wszyscy katolicy dalej mieli tą samą wiarę, nauczali tego samego, np. nauczali o Trójcy. Jednak różne państwa uznawały różnych papieży np. Francja i Szkocja uznawały za papieża Klemensa VII, a Polska, Anglia i Niemcy Urbana VI.Te dwa przykłady pokazują, że czasami do podziału dochodzi gdy jest różnica w wierzeniach, np. czy wierzyć w Trójcę, a czasem gdy jest różnica w tym kto jest najważniejszy, np. kto jest papieżem. Jednak oba te podziały nie były trwałe. Chrześcijanie ponownie się połączyli w jedną religię. Były jednak trwałe podziały czyli takie które trwają do naszych czasów.Jaki był pierwszy trwały podział chrześcijaństwa? Cesarstwo rzymskie podzieliło się na część zachodnią oraz wschodnią. Na zachodzie mówiono po łacinie, a na wschodzie po grecku. W tamtym okresie było pięć najważniejszych miast chrześcijańskich. Biskupi tych miast byli uznawani za najważniejszych. Były to: Jerozolima, Antiochia, Aleksandria, Konstantynopol oraz Rzym. Gdy jednak powstał Islam muzułmanie zdobyli pierwsze trzy miasta: Jerozolimę, Antiochię i Aleksandrię i to przestały być chrześcijańskie miasta. O Islamie mówiliśmy w odcinku 123.Pozostały dwa główne chrześcijańskie miasta Rzym i Konstantynopol. Doszło do kłótni, kto jest ważniejszy czy papież w Rzymie, czy patriarcha w Konstantynopolu i 1054 roku doszło do wielkiej schizmy czyli wielkiego podziału. Powstał kościół katolicki na zachodzie oraz prawosławny w Konstantynopolu. Ten podział widać do dzisiaj i to nie tylko w religii. Na zachodzie używa się innego alfabetu niż na wschodzie Europy.Polska znalazła się w części katolickiej dlatego u nas używa się alfabetu łacińskiego, a Rosja była w tej części prawosławnej dlatego oni mają inny alfabet. Tak więc zachodnia Europa miała religię katolicką oraz alfabet łaciński, a wschodnia Europa miała religię prawosławną oraz alfabet grecki.W XVI wieku doszło do kolejnego podziału w Europie zachodniej czyli podziału w kościele katolickim. Co się wydarzyło?Odpusty to były opłaty za przebaczenie grzechu. Do czego kościół katolicki potrzebował tych pieniędzy? W tym czasie papierze chcieli zbudować Bazylikę św. Piotra w Rzymie i potrzebowali na to dużo pieniędzy. Jeden z takich wysłanników sprzedających odpusty pojechał do Niemiec.Marcin Luter był mnichem, któremu nie podobało się, że sprzedaje się odpusty.Podobno do drzwi kościoła w Wittenberdze przybił spisane przez siebie 95 tez przeciwko tym odpustom. Rozpoczął on reformację czy próbę zmiany kościoła. Nie był on pierwszy, bo przed nim takimi reformatorami byli John Wycliffe w Anglii i Jan Hus w Czechach. Marcin Luter miał jednak coś czego oni nie mieli.W 1455 Gutenberg wynalazł druk. Od tej pory można było wszystko drukować. Tak więc kiedy w 1517 roku Luter przybił do drzwi kościoła te 95 tez jakiś drukarz zaraz zaczął je kopiować i sprzedawać. W ten sposób idee Lutra się rozpowszechniły bardzo szybko. Wycliffe i Hus tego nie mieli ich pisma trzeba było przepisywać.Luter zapoczątkował powstanie religii protestanckiej. Ta nazwa pochodzi od tego, że Luter zaprotestował przeciwko odpustom. Później religie protestanckie podzieliły się dalej na wiele mniejszych religii, ale często określa się je właśnie jako religie protestanckie.Co zapamiętaliście?Kiedy w cesarstwie rzymskim zakończyły się prześladowania chrześcijan?Czy pamiętacie wszystkie główne podziały w chrześcijaństwie?Dlaczego cesarstwo rzymskie podzieliło się na dwie części?Dlaczego ten podział jest ważny dla religii chrześcijańskiej?Kto się pojawił w XV wieku?Kim był Jan Hus?Przeciwko czemu był Luter?Dzisiaj panuje tolerancja religijna, ale w przeszłości tak nie było. Dochodziło do wielu wojen z powodu religii. Np. gdy Luter stworzył religię protestancką doszło do wojny 30-letniej w Europie, podczas której kraje katolickie walczyły z krajami protestanckimi.Do podziałów religijnych dochodzi gdy dwie grupy mają różne wierzenia lub mają różnych przywódców. Np. jedni wierzą w Trójcę, a inni nie lub jedni mają jednego papieża, a inni drugiego.

Tune in for another installment of Explore the Bible as Amir & Rick examine the topic of translations and the amazing process resulting in the production of the English Bible!Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael

He is a Canadian content creator known for his work in comedy, commentary, and reporting, focusing on providing an alternative perspective to mainstream media in Canada. We discuss Bill C-63 and his campaign to end it. We also dive into whether Canadian politics are controlled and whether voting for the Conservatives is the same as voting for the Liberals. Head here for more info on Bill C-63 https://savefreespeech.ca/ Clothing Link: ⁠⁠⁠https://snp-8.creator-spring.com/listing/the-mashup-collection⁠⁠ Text Shaun 587-217-8500 Substack:https://open.substack.com/pub/shaunnewmanpodcast E-transfer here: shaunnewmanpodcast@gmail.com Silver Gold Bull Links: Website: https://silvergoldbull.ca/ Email: SNP@silvergoldbull.com Text Grahame: (587) 441-9100

A @Christadelphians Video: Would you risk your life for a book? This may seem a ridiculous concept today, but this wasn't always the case. Not only was it once illegal to own a copy of the Bible, for centuries people were forbidden to even read it! Even more interesting is that some of those who risked their lives to ensure we can have it in our homes today have a connection to Rugby and the surrounding area. John Wycliffe (1329-1384) was an English theologian, philosopher, and religious reformer. He is best known for his translation of the Bible into English, which was the first complete translation of the Bible into English from the original languages. Wycliffe was a controversial figure in his own time, and he was eventually excommunicated by the Catholic Church. He died in 1384, and his bones were later dug up and burned by order of the Pope William Tyndale (1494-1536) was an English scholar and translator who is best known for his translation of the Bible into English. Tyndale's translation was based on the original Hebrew and Greek texts, and it was the first English translation to be made from these sources. Tyndale was a Protestant, and his translation was critical of the Catholic Church. He was eventually arrested by the authorities and burned at the stake in 1536. Miles Coverdale (1488-1569) was an English Protestant Bible translator. He was the first person to publish an English translation of the entire Bible, which was published in 1535. Coverdale's translation was based on the work of Tyndale and other scholars. He also translated the Bible into German and Latin. John Rogers (1500-1555) was an English Protestant martyr. He was the first person to be burned at the stake for heresy during the reign of Queen Mary I. Rogers was a minister in the Church of England, and he was arrested for his opposition to the Catholic Church. He was burned at the stake in 1555, along with other Protestant leaders. Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) was an English religious reformer who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1533 to 1555. Cranmer was a key figure in the English Reformation, and he was responsible for the introduction of many Protestant reforms in the Church of England. He was also a translator of the Bible, and he was one of the authors of the Book of Common Prayer. Cranmer was burned at the stake in 1556 for heresy during the reign of Queen Mary I. These are just a few examples of the many people who suffered for making the Bible available in English. Their sacrifices helped to ensure that the Bible would be accessible to all people, regardless of their social status or religious beliefs. This video was produced by the ChristadelphianVideo.org project, arranged and supported by the Christadelphian community worldwide. You can follow us online at.. #1 Our Main site... https://cdvideo.org #2 Our podcast on Podbean... https://cdvideo.org/podcast #3 Our podcast on Apple...https://cdvideo.org/podcast-apple #4 Our podcast on Anchor...https://cdvideo.org/truth-talk #5 Our facebook...https://facebook.com/OpenBibles #6 Our Whats App... http://cdvideo.org/WhatsApp #7 Our Instagram... http://cdvideo.org/Instagram #8 Our twitter... http://cdvideo.org/twitter #9 Our YouTube Channel... http://cdvideo.org/youtube #10 Our Audio site Scripturescribe.com... https://cdvideo.org/mp3 Watch/read / Listen to other thoughts for the day on our site here https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/ __________________________________________________________________________ CHRISTADELPHIANVIDEO.ORG, a worldwide collaboration by Christadelphians to help promote the understanding of God's Word to those who are seeking the Truth about the Human condition and God's plan and Purpose with the Earth and Mankind upon it. #Christadelphianvideo #christadelphianstalk #Christadelphians #bibletruthfeed #openbible #Gospeltruth #gospel #Christadelphian #bibletruthfeed #podcast 'Christadelphians

In this episode of *Men Who Rocked the World*, Dr. Steven Lawson delves into the roots of the Protestant Reformation by exploring the lives of three key figures: John Wycliffe, John Huss, and Martin Luther. He highlights Wycliffe's pioneering work in challenging the authority of the Pope, translating the Bible into English, and his influence on future reformers. Dr. Lawson explains how Wycliffe's teachings passed to Huss, and ultimately to Luther, forming the foundation of the Reformation. This episode underscores the vital role of these pre-reformers in laying the groundwork for the movement that reshaped church history.

In this episode of "Men Who Rocked the World," Dr. Steven Lawson explores the profound influence of John Wycliffe, the "Morning Star of the Reformation." Lawson traces Wycliffe's journey from a brilliant scholar at Oxford to a fierce advocate for biblical authority over church tradition. Highlighting Wycliffe's role in translating the Bible into English and his bold defiance of the Roman Catholic Church, Lawson illustrates how Wycliffe's legacy paved the way for future reformers like John Huss and Martin Luther. This episode sheds light on how one man's unwavering stand on God's Word can ignite transformative movements that echo through history. You can find Dr. Lawsons biography of John Wycliffe here. 

Send us a Text Message.If you're like us you've been blown away hearing our next guest at some point in your life. Join us for an eye-opening conversation with the legendary Wycliffe Gordon as he shares his musical journey from rural Georgia to performing with the greats like Wynton Marsalis. You'll learn how early influences, particularly gospel music and church experiences, shaped his unique sound and expressive style. Wycliffe's captivating stories and personal anecdotes will transport you to his formative years and beyond, offering a glimpse into the life and mind of a true jazz icon.In this episode, host Sebastian Vera is joined by special guest co-host Hakeem Bilal(@hakeembilalmusic)! live at the 53rd International Trombone Festival in Fort Worth, Texas. We discuss the importance of musical festivals in fostering a sense of community among musicians and igniting passion in students and professionals alike. Discussing the enriching experiences and the unique energy of performing for fellow trombonists, we explore how these gatherings shape musicianship and camaraderie. More importantly though, we discuss the profound impact Whataburger has had on our lives. Wycliffe Gordon's narrative takes us through his early attempts at piano, his transformative college years at Florida A&M, and his significant encounters with jazz legends that propelled his career. From practicing in the rain with the Marching 100 to receiving a life-changing call from Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe's stories are a testament to dedication, resilience, and the power of mentorship. We wrap up by celebrating his immense contributions to the trombone community and eagerly anticipate his future performances. Also introducing special features with Patreon: www.patreon.com/tromboneretreatLearn more about the Trombone Retreat and upcoming festival here: linktr.ee/tromboneretreat Hosted by Sebastian Vera - @js.vera (insta) and Nick Schwartz - @basstrombone444 (insta)Produced and edited by Sebastian VeraMusic: Firehorse: Mvt 1 - Trot by Steven Verhelst performed live by Brian Santero, Sebastian Vera and Nick SchwartzThank you to our season sponsor Houghton Horns: www.houghtonhorns.comSupport the show

Are you yearning to venture back in time and uncover the riveting story of the pilgrims' perilous journey to America? Let's journey back together, as we explore the profound impact of these pioneers on the shaping of American values - religious and civil liberty, rule by law, and their use of government documents. Let us explore the roots of the pilgrims during the Reformation era, highlighting the instrumental roles key figures like Wycliffe and Tyndale played in making the Bible accessible to all. Join us as we set foot on Plymouth Rock and reveal the threads of history.Who can resist the allure of a tale of tenacity and courage, of men and women braving the odds to journey to the New World? As we trace the path of these brave souls from England to Holland and eventually, to America, we delve into the challenges they faced. We talk about their adaptation to a different culture in Holland, the technical issues with their ship the Speedwell, and the voyage that led them to Cape Cod in November aboard the Mayflower. We explore their survival through the harsh winter in New England, and the creation of the Mayflower Compact, a cornerstone in the history of America.As we navigate through the trials faced by these pilgrims upon their arrival in America and their life-saving encounter with Squanto, an English-speaking Indian, we remind ourselves of the essence of Thanksgiving and the freedom we enjoy today. As we look back at the sacrifices made by our forefathers, we stress the importance of standing together as a nation and engaging in respectful dialogue. So, tune in for an enlightening journey through history and an engaging conversation about unity, gratitude, and freedom. Let's learn from our past to shape our future.Support the show