The History of the Christian Church - 2000 Years of Christian Thought.

• A History of the Christian Church (Part 24) John of Damascus. A Voice of Truth in the Rise of Islam.

  Send us a textWelcome to The History of the Christian Church – Episode 24 John of Damascus: A Voice for Truth in the Rise of IslamIn today’s episode, we explore the remarkable life and enduring influence of John of Damascus, the last of the great early Church Fathers. Living in the heart of the Islamic world yet shaped by deep Christian conviction, John stood at a critical juncture in church history. Amidst imperial decrees and theological upheaval, he became a bold defender of Christian doctrine and a powerful voice for truth against the rise of Islam.Best known for his defence of icons, John’s writings anchored Christian worship in the incarnation of Christ—proclaiming that the Word made flesh can and should be represented visually. Through his theological masterpiece, The Fountain of Knowledge, and his uncompromising witness under pressure, John of Damascus helped preserve and articulate the faith during a time of intense controversy.Join us as we reflect on his life, legacy, and what his courageous stand means for us today.📘 Episode HighlightsJohn’s early life under Islamic rule and his formative educationHis transition from public service to monastic devotionThe iconoclast controversy and John’s pivotal defense of sacred imagesA survey of his major works, including The Fountain of KnowledgeHis critique of Islam and role as a bridge between East and WestWhy his voice still matters in a world confused about truth and faithSupport the show

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• A History of the Christian Church (Part 23) Maximus the Confessor (c. 580 – 662) The Man Who Wouldn't be Silenced

  Send us a textMaximus the Confessor – The Father of Byzantine Theology[Part 23] Season 2, Episode 2  👋 WelcomeWelcome back to The History of the Christian Church! In Season Two, we continue our journey through the always vibrant and sometimes violent world of the Eastern Church. In today’s episode, we meet one of the most courageous and influential figures in Christian theology: Maximus the Confessor (c. 580–662). Philosopher, mystic, monk, and martyr in all but name, Maximus dared to defy emperors and resist compromise on one of the most essential truths of the Christian faith—that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man.In a time when the unity of the empire seemed to hinge on theological concessions, Maximus chose faithfulness over safety. For this, he was imprisoned, exiled, and brutally mutilated. Yet his unwavering defense of the two wills of Christ would eventually be vindicated at the Sixth Ecumenical Council, shaping Eastern Christian theology for centuries to come.📜 Episode SummaryIn this episode, we explore:The dramatic and heroic life of Maximus the Confessor—from imperial court to desert monastery, from scholarly debates to imperial trials.The theological controversy of Monothelitism, and why it threatened the heart of the Gospel.Maximus’s unwavering belief in the full humanity and divinity of Christ, and why he insisted Christ must have two wills.How his theological reflections—on Christ, creation, love, and divine purpose—continue to shape Eastern Christian mysticism and theology.The tragic cost of his faithfulness: exile, torture, and silence. And yet, through it all, a lasting legacy that still speaks.🔑 Key ThemesChristology: Why the distinction between Jesus’ human and divine wills matters.Orthodoxy and Empire: What happens when political unity threatens doctrinal truth.Mysticism and Metaphysics: Maximus’s contribution to Christian mysticism and his engagement with Neoplatonic thought.Suffering and Witness: What it means to be a Confessor—to suffer for the truth without shedding blood.📖 Quote of the Episode.“We know God not in His essence, but by the magnificence of His creation and the action of His Providence, which present to us as in a mirror reflection of His goodness, His wisdom, and His infinite power.” — Maximus the Confessor, Centuries on Charity 1:96🙏 ReflectionMaximus’s story is not just about doctrinal precision. It’s about courageous fidelity to the Incarnate Christ. His life challenges us: Do we know what we believe—and are we willing to suffer for it? True theology leads not only to clarity, but to courage, worship, and love.🔔 Subscribe & ShareIf you’re enjoying this journey through church history, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with friends or your church community. You can also support the show and get extra resources at https://patreon.com/JeremyMcCandless?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkSupport the show

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• A History of the Christian Church (Part 22) Introduction to Season Two - Dionysius the Areopagite. Telling Us What God is Not.

  Send us a textWelcome to Season Two of the History of the Christian Church Podcast!In Season One, we traced the journey of the early church—from its apostolic foundations through persecution, the rise of Christian doctrine, and the establishment of Christianity as the dominant faith of the Roman Empire. We explored the theological battles that shaped orthodoxy and followed the church’s expansion through the first five centuries.Now, in Season Two, we turn our attention eastward. While much of Western Christianity evolved under the influence of Rome, the Eastern Christian tradition developed along a different path—one shaped by Byzantine power, monastic spirituality, and theological debates that would define the future of Christendom. We will explore the towering figures of the Eastern Fathers, the rise of Constantinople as the "New Rome," the controversies over icons, and the Great Schism that divided the church.Episode Notes: Dionysius the Areopagite - Telling Us What God is NotIn this episode, we begin our exploration of the Eastern Christian tradition by examining the enigmatic figure of Dionysius the Areopagite. Who was he? What did he teach? And why has his influence endured for centuries?Dionysius is known for his apophatic (or "negative") theology, which emphasizes describing God by what He is not rather than attempting to define what He is. His works, written around 500 AD, were immensely influential in shaping mystical theology and were long thought to have been penned by the first-century Athenian judge mentioned in Acts 17:34. Today, we recognize the author as Pseudo-Dionysius, but his writings remain foundational to Christian thought.Key topics covered in this episode:The historical context of the Eastern Christian traditionThe mystery surrounding Dionysius and the question of authorshipThe core works of Dionysius: Divine Names, Mystical Theology, The Heavenly Hierarchy, and Ecclesiastical HierarchyThe influence of Neoplatonism on his theologyThe "negative way"—understanding God through what He is notDionysius' ideas continue to shape Christian mysticism and theology, challenging us to recognize that God is beyond human comprehension. Join me as we explore his impact on the Christian faith.Stay tuned for more episodes as in season two we journey through the history of the Eastern Church!Support the show

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• A History of the Christian Church (Part 21) The Council of Chalcedon (451) and The Apostles Creed.

  Send us a textWelcome to the Season Finale of Season One in My History of the Christian Church. This is the climax of our journey together through the first 500 years of the Christian Church.Episode 21: The Council of Chalcedon (451) and The Apostles’ Creed.Have you ever wondered how the foundational beliefs of Christianity were forged? How the early church grappled with defining the nature of Christ, or how the Apostles’ Creed came to summarize the faith of countless generations?In this season finale, we’re looing at one of the most pivotal moments in Christian history—the Council of Chalcedon as well as tracing its influence on the development of the Apostles’ Creed.Episode SummaryIn the year 451 AD, the church stood at a crossroads. The question of Christ’s true nature—fully God, fully man, or something in between—threatened to tear the Christian world apart. In response, the Council of Chalcedon was convened, a gathering of church leaders determined to define orthodoxy, refute heresies, and unify believers.The result? The Chalcedonian Definition—a landmark statement affirming that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, united in one person without confusion, change, division, or separation. This definition clarified Christian doctrine for centuries to come and directly influenced the way the church articulated its beliefs in creeds like the Apostles’ Creed.Although the Apostles’ Creed predates Chalcedon, its later form reflects the theological clarity the council helped establish. In this episode, we explore how these two foundational moments—the Council of Chalcedon and the Apostles’ Creed—are connected and why they remain central to Christian faith today.Key Topics Covered in This Episode:✅ The historical background and theological disputes leading up to Chalcedon✅ The key decisions made at the Council of Chalcedon and their impact on Christian doctrine✅ How the Apostles’ Creed evolved and was influenced by Chalcedonian Christology✅ The role of creeds in preserving Christian truth across generationsLooking Ahead to Season TwoAs we close this season, we prepare for an exciting new journey in Season Two, where we will explore the emerging Eastern Orthodox traditions in the early Christian church. We’ll consider the development of Eastern theology, liturgy, and spiritual practices from a evangelical perspective covering topics like the role of icons, monasticism, and the enduring influence of the Byzantine Empire.Thank You for Listening!This season has been an incredible exploration of the early church’s struggles, victories, and enduring legacy. Your passion for church history and theology has made this journey even more meaningful. I can’t wait to continue this exploration with you in Season Two!Stay connected, spread the word, and may God bless you. See you next season!Support the show

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• A History of the Christian Church (Part 20) Leo 'The Great'(c. AD 400 –461) The Establishment of Rome

  Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSupport the show

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