100+ Significant Moments in Church History: Recent Episodes
Mike Woodruff
Our current culture seems more interested in the last two minutes than the last two thousand years. This is unfortunate. It’s also avoidable. Join Mike Woodruff each week as he break down some of the most significant people, events, and ideas in church history. Gain insight. Avoid mistakes. Take ground. Mike Woodruff is a pastor at Christ Church, a multisite ministry with four campuses in the north suburbs of Chicago.Learn more about Christ Church at https://www.christchurchil.org
The New Testament scholar Larry Hurtado once said that "Christianity has always been a bookish faith." Instead of a temple, we have a book. Reading well is thus instrumental to the good Christian life.
In this conversation, Mike and Dr. Vanhoozer discuss what it means to acquire theological and biblical literacy in a time of widespread biblical illiteracy.
Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer is the Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Previously, he served as Blanchard Professor of Theology at Wheaton College and as Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at New College, University of Edinburgh. He has edited multiple books, including The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology and Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. He is the author of many books, most notably, Is There a Meaning in this Text? and The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology.
Mike is the author of The Friday Update, a weekly newsletter that combines cultural insight with Biblical wisdom. Subscribe here.
Beneath The Headlines is a Lakelight Institute production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com
In an interview with David Brooks, Molly Worthen characterized both herself and Brooks as 'overly educated, slightly nerdy, late-in-life converts.'
Just 5 years ago, after conversations with Pastor J.D. Greear and Tim Keller, Worthen felt compelled to examine the evidence for Jesus. What she discovered forced her to change the direction of her entire life.
This episode of Beneath The Headlines tells her story.
We'll also unpack her latest book Spellbound — a history of how Charisma has affected American society from the Puritans to the present day.
Molly Worthen is professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a freelance journalist. She lectures widely on religion and politics and teaches courses on North American religious and intellectual culture, global Christianity, and the history of ideas. She writes about religion, politics, and higher education for The New York Times and has also contributed to The New Yorker, Slate, The American Prospect, Foreign Policy, and other publications. She is the author of Spellbound, Apostles of Reason and The Man On Whom Nothing Was Lost. You can learn more about her work on her website.
Mike is the author of The Friday Update, a weekly newsletter that combines cultural insight with Biblical wisdom. Subscribe here.
Beneath The Headlines is a Lakelight Institute production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com
Marriage rates have been plummeting for over 50 years. If you ask young people what they want to be when they grow up, the answers revolve around achieving career success, financial security and personal happiness. Marriage doesn't fit into the picture. In fact, marriage is viewed as a barrier to those pursuits.
But what if marriage doesn't impede those goals? What if marriage serves as the foundation for a flourishing life?
That's what Dr. Brad Wilcox's research demonstrates.
Mike Woodruff sits down with Wilcox, a professor of sociology at the University of Virginia, director of the National Marriage Project, and author of several books on marriage and family. They discuss the cultural shifts undermining marriage, why it remains a vital institution for adults and children alike, and how society can better support strong, stable families.
Beneath The Headlines is a Lakelight Institute production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com
Mike is the author of The Friday Update, a weekly newsletter that combines cultural insight with Biblical wisdom. Subscribe here.
You can invest in other Lakelight Institute resources and experiences here: https://www.lakelight.com/invest
What is a man?
Why are men now considered toxic? How can our culture promote a healthy vision for masculinity?
Together, Mike and Dr. Nancy Pearcey discuss these questions along with many others in this episode of Beneath The Headlines.
Nancy Pearcey is the author of The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes,as well as Love Thy Body, The Soul of Science, Saving Leonardo, Finding Truth, and Total Truth. She is professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University. She has been quoted in The New Yorker and Newsweek, highlighted as one of the five top women apologists by Christianity Today, and hailed in The Economist as "America's pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual."
Beneath The Headlines is a Lakelight Institute production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com
Mike is the author of The Friday Update, a weekly newsletter that combines cultural insight with Biblical wisdom. Subscribe here.
You can invest in other Lakelight Institute resources and experiences here: https://www.lakelight.com/invest
In this episode, Mike sits down with Dr. Abigail Favale, the author of The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory. She teaches at the University of Notre Dame’s McGrath Institute for Church Life and holds degrees in philosophy, women’s writing, and English literature.
In this conversation, they explore:
- Dr. Favale's journey from progressive feminism to Catholic orthodoxy
- How motherhood and spiritual crisis reshaped her worldview
- The clash between the "gender paradigm" and a Christian vision of embodiment
- The intellectual roots of modern feminism and transgender ideology
- How to engage cultural debates with truth and love
- The gift of the body and why limits are essential to human flourishing
Beneath The Headlines is a Lakelight Institute production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com
Mike is the author of The Friday Update, a weekly newsletter that combines cultural insight with Biblical wisdom. Subscribe here.
You can invest in other Lakelight Institute resources and experiences here: https://www.lakelight.com/invest
In this episode of Beneath the Headlines, host Mike Woodruff sits down with Dr. Nathan Hatch, a renowned historian, former president of Wake Forest University, and scholar of American religious history.
Dr. Hatch reflects on the current crisis of trust in institutions — from higher education to politics — and offers a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing universities today. He shares personal stories of leadership, the importance of character formation in education, and why he remains hopeful about the role of faith in academia.
Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!
Beneath The Headlines is a Lakelight Institute production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com
Mike is the author of The Friday Update, a weekly newsletter that combines cultural insight with Biblical wisdom. Subscribe here.
You can invest in other Lakelight Institute resources and experiences here: https://www.lakelight.com/invest
With over 40 years in ministry, best-selling author and pastor John Ortberg thought he'd seen it all. Then, he discovered the principles behind AA.
In his book Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough, John shares profound insights on how the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous can be transformative for everyone—whether struggling with addiction or simply seeking deeper spiritual growth.
In their conversation, Mike and John explore:
- The 12 Steps as a Spiritual Pathway for surrender, humility, and transformation.
- Addiction vs. Sin – Is addiction a disease, a moral failing, or something deeper?
- The Role of Willpower & Surrender – Why willpower alone fails and how surrendering to God’s will brings true freedom.
- Habits & Spiritual Formation – Practical ways to reshape daily habits to align with God’s vision for our lives.
- Confession & Community – The power of vulnerability and accountability in spiritual growth.
- Scripture & Renewing the Mind – How memorizing and meditating on Scripture reshapes our consciousness.
- Gratitude in Suffering – John reflects on finding God’s presence in life’s deepest challenges.
Beneath The Headlines is a Lakelight Institute production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com
Mike is the author of The Friday Update, a weekly newsletter that combines cultural insight with Biblical wisdom. Subscribe here.
You can invest in other Lakelight Institute resources and experiences here: https://www.lakelight.com/invest
Dr. Darren Whitehead is a pastor, author, and founder of Church of the City in Nashville, Tennessee. And his most recent book The Digital Fast: 40 Days to Detox Your Mind and Reclaim What Matters Most offers a transformative approach to breaking free from the grip of smartphones, social media, and constant digital distractions.
In this conversation, Mike and Darren explore:
- The hidden costs of our tech addiction and how it’s rewiring our brains.
- Practical steps to detox from digital overload and rediscover joy, presence, and connection.
- The impact of social media on mental health, especially for teenagers, and how parents can lead the way in creating healthier tech habits.
Resources Mentioned:
- The Digital Fast by Dr. Darren Whitehead
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
- The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God by Justin Brierley
Beneath The Headlines is a Lakelight Institute production.
Thoughts? Guest Suggestions? email us at info@lakelightinstitute.com
Mike is the author of The Friday Update, a weekly newsletter that combines cultural insight with Biblical wisdom. Subscribe here.
You can invest in other Lakelight Institute resources and experiences here: https://www.lakelight.com/invest
In this episode of "Beneath the Headlines," host Mike Woodruff interviews Glen Scrivener, an Australian writer, pastor, and apologist currently living in the UK. The conversation centers around Scrivener's book "The Air We Breathe" which explores how modern Western values like human rights, equality, progress, and compassion are deeply rooted in Christian thought and tradition.
Key points discussed include:
- How many secular intellectuals (like Tom Holland, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Louise Perry) are reconsidering Christianity's role in shaping Western civilization
- Scrivener's "3-2-1" course, a digital evangelism program that has reached thousands
- The current state of Christianity in different regions (particularly England, Australia, and America)
- The potential future directions of Western society, including both secular and religious trends
- The challenge of connecting modern secular values back to their Christian origins
The conversation offers an interesting perspective on how Christianity continues to influence modern thought, even among those who don't identify as religious, and discusses the current cultural shifts happening around faith and secularism.
Join Pastor Mike Woodruff and guest Collin Hansen, editor-in-chief of The Gospel Coalition, as they explore:
- The evolution of journalism from traditional reporting to advocacy
- Challenges in discerning truth in today's media landscape
- Impact of changing media on faith and society
- Strategies for thoughtful news consumption
- The importance of local journalism
- Hansen's upcoming book on theodicy and evil
- The enduring relevance of World War II in shaping moral understanding
Key topics include:
- Media bias and its effects
- The 2016 election's impact on news reporting
- Balancing faith perspectives with current events
- Cultural apologetics in the modern age
Tune in for insights on maintaining a balanced, faith-informed view in our complex information age.
Enjoy listening to Mike lead a panel discussion about restoring trust at the sold-out inaugural Lakelight Institute Good Work Summit. Panelists include Dr. David Miller (Director of Princeton Faith and Work Initiative), Mike Zafirovski (former President of Motorola) and Tom Tropp (Chief Ethics Officer at Gallagher).
Today Mike’s guest is American philosopher Christian Miller, PhD, an award-winning professor from Wake Forest University who recently authored The Character Gap, has authored numerous other books and articles, and is a regular contributor to publications including Forbes. He is also director of The Honesty Project. Mike and Dr. Miller discuss his work and how our character shapes our lives.
This week we are sharing with you a link to a podcast that Mike appeared on as a guest.
In it, he talks about the importance of thinking well, particularly at this moment in history when we are allowing other voices to think for us. Mike argues for more “white space” as the volume and velocity of life is increasing every day. Mike also talks about some of his news rules including “less is more.”
On this week’s podcast, Mike’s guest is journalist, podcaster, and author Collin Hanson, who recently published a book on one of the 21st century’s most influential church leaders--Tim Keller. Collin is vice president for content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition, as well as executive director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. Listen to Mike and Collin go behind-the-scenes on the life of Tim Keller and also discuss our need for an even more intentional voice of reason and hope in the midst of the cultural milieu of the moment.
This week’s Press On guest is Dr. Jeff Brannon, chair of the Biblical Studies Department at Belhaven University, and author of the recently published The Hope of Life After Death: A Biblical Theology of the Resurrection. Dr. Brannon and Mike discuss the hope of Christ’s resurrection, which changes everything.
In today’s podcast, Mike talks with Ian Vaillancourt, a professor in Ontario and an award winning author about his most recent book, The Dawning of Redemption, which provides an accessible overview of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). Dr. Vaillancourt is particularly focused on the way the Bible is an unified work and the big themes are introduced early.
In this week’s podcast, Mike explores the rise of Conspiracy Theories. What are they? Why are they growing and how do we deal with them. His guest is Jared Stacey, a PhD student in Theological Ethics at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
In this week’s episode of The Press On Podcast, Mike talks with Katie Schnack, the author of Everything is Not Fine: Finding Strength When Life Gets Annoyingly Difficult (IVP: Sept. 2023). Through lots of stories (and humor) Katie reflects on the struggles she and her husband face when their son is born with very serious – and life-long – medical challenges.
Dr. Phil Ryken is a theologian, an author and the President of Wheaton College. He received his BA from Wheaton College, a Master of Divinity (1 of only 2 degrees after which you will likely lose money) – from Westminster Theological Seminary and then did a PhD in historical theology at Oxford.
He joined the pastoral staff at 10th Presbyterian church in Philly in 1995 and became the SP there in 2000 following the death of James Montgomery Boice in 2000. In February 2010 he became Wheaton’s eighth president.
He is a member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals - which features his expository preaching on its weekly national radio and internet broadcast, Every Last Word. And he is the author of over fifty books.
Gil Hoffmann is a prominent Israeli journalist, who, in 2022 was named one of the Top 100 people “positively influencing Jewish life.” He grew up in the Chicago area, graduated from Northwestern and then moved to Israel, where he became an Israeli citizen, served in the Israeli army, and then became the chief political correspondent for the Jerusalem Post. He is currently the executive director of Honest Reporting.
In conjunction with his recent trip to Israel, Mike is re-interviewing several Middle Eastern leaders. In this podcast he speaks with Dr. Salim Munayer, who has spent the last 30 years working in reconciliation work.
In today’s episode, Mike talks with Jon Ferguson, who along with his brother, has: 1) planted a thriving church; 2) launched a church-planting network that has led to the creation of thousands of churches around the world; 3) launched Exponential – a conference for churches that plan churches; and 4) has written several award winning books. Mike and John spend most of their time talking about B.L.E.S.S.: Five Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World.
Few countries are as old, confusing or as important as Israel. In today’s podcast, Mike goes to 30,000 feet to look down on the history of Israel from Abraham through the present.
In this episode of the podcast I have a chance to talk with Jeff Kemp about men, friendship and his new book, Receive. Jeff, who had an 11 NFL career and who has had lots of experience around politics (his Dad, who also played in the NFL, later served as a congressman and as Secretary of HUD). You can access a PDF of Jeff’s second book, Men Huddle QuickStart Playbook.
In today’s podcast I have a chance to talk with Roy Schwarcz, who was raised Jewish in New York City before becoming a Christian in the early 70s. Roy, who has both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Jewish Studies, not only talks about Israel and Judaism, he answers a bunch of my questions about both.
This 100+ podcast is a discussion with author, speaker and podcaster David Moore about the key books and notable theologians of the 20th century. Listen to a conversation about why we should read and where truth resides. Hear a list of the most influential 20th century people.
Over the last fifty years, Gordon MacDonald has: served as a pastor, written a dozen best-selling books – most notably Ordering Your Private World – and served as a trustee or senior leader at a variety of organizations, including Christianity Today, World Vision, Intervarsity and Denver Seminary. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Gordon for thirty years, have had him speak in a variety of venues – including at Christ Church - and have called him for advice (or encouragement) from time to time. In this podcast I ask him the kind of questions I ask him when we are not recording a podcast.
In today’s episode, Mike talks with Jordan “Gorf” Gorfinkel about the Koren Tanakh Graphic Novel – his recently released work on the book of Esther. Gorf, a practicing Jew who previously managed the Batman franchise for DC Comics, and who also has a daily comic strip called Jewish Cartoon – has just signed a contract with Koren to turn the Hebrew Scriptures into 24 graphic novels. The Esther edition, which is designed for all ages, features the Hebrew Scriptures on page, and uses the English text illustrate the drawings.
Today Michael Gleason joins Mike Woodruff on the Press On podcast to discuss the revival at Asbury College. Dr. Gleason, who earned both Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry degrees from Ashland Theological Seminary, and who has held a variety of ministry roles within the church and at various universities, is the author of both: When God Walked on Campus: A Brief History of Evangelical Awakenings at American Colleges and Universities and When God Walked Among Nations: The Leaders and Lessons of the First Great Awakening.
The Press On Podcast with Mike Woodruff welcomes Peter Williams. Peter has an M.A., M.Phil and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. Before becoming the Principal of Tyndale House at Cambridge, he served as a lecturer in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen and a faculty member in Oriental Studies at Cambridge. Dr. Williams has served or is serving in a variety of academic settings, such as: Chair of the International Greek New Testament Project and a member of the Translation Committee of the English Standard Version of the Bible. In addition to haven written numerous scholarly articles, he has written, edited or contributed to a number of academic books. He has also written some popular books, such as Can We Trust the Gospels? (Crossway, 2018) and the soon to be released, The Surprising Genius of Jesus.
Dr. Evan Hunter joins Mike Woodruff on Press On to talk about his ongoing work among church leaders in Russia and Ukraine, including his recent visits there. Evan – who previously served on staff at Christ Church – is a vice president of ScholarLeaders, a globally known organization that encourages and equips theological leaders around the world. He is also the executive editor of InSights Journal for Global Theological Education.
Today’s guest is Dr. John Dickson, an engaging author, international speaker and the founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity (2007-17). John, who has a PhD in Ancient History, who has published over 20 books and produced several television documentaries, and who has taught at around the world, including at Oxford, recently joined the faculty at Wheaton College. In this conversation we focus on his book, Bullies and Saints, which explores the best and worst in church history – including the Crusades, Inquisition and Child Sexual Abuse scandals.
Today on the Press On Podcast Mike interviews Chris Ganski, a pastor-theologian and founder of City Reformed Church in Milwaukee. Chris holds a MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, a PhD in theology from Marquette University and has taught theology at Yale University. Today Mike and Chris discussed the doctrine of Christ’s ascension.
This 100+ podcast is a discussion with author, speaker and podcaster David Moore about the key books and notable theologians of the 19th century. Listen to a conversation about why we should read and where truth resides. Hear a list of the most influential 19th century people, including theologians Friedrich Schleiermacher, Charles Hodge, B.B. Warfield, and Abraham Kuyper. And learn why you should add Emily Dickinson's poetry, Abraham Lincoln’s speeches, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Victor Hugo’s novels and Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave.
Mike Woodruff sits down with Judy and Harold who lost their son Andrew to suicide less than 2 years ago. This difficult conversation shines a light on the struggle of mental health and it's effect on faith and family.
Today, Pastor Mike is interviewing Andy Duran. Andy is the executive director of L.E.A.D. (Linking Efforts Against Drugs). Together, they discuss the world of legalized recreational marijuana and how it has changed, grown, and even surprised here in Illinois.
To check out Pastor Mike's sermon on marijuana, click the link below.
https://youtu.be/7NlFwHnHSrI
100+ is an overview of 100 of the most important people events and ideas of the last 2000 years. This is a survey of the forces and factors that have shaped today's world, western civilization, the Christian faith and you.
In today's lecture we will be focusing on fundamentalism, a many faceted term and movement. We will consider it mostly as the early 20th century movement that emerges as a push back against modernity, but we will also note that it expands in a number of different directions since then. Most notably, when Martin Marty launched the fundamentalism project in 1987, which began to track the illiberal movements of all types of groups, both religious and political.
In today's episode, Pastor Mike Woodruff will be focusing on the Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal Movements, which, from their humble beginnings in Kansas and California, took the world by storm during the 20th century.
100+ is an overview of 100 of the most important people events and ideas of the last 2000 years. This is a survey of the forces and factors that have shaped today's world, western civilization, the Christian faith and you. This series of lectures is based on the idea that if we step back to the early Greeks and Romans and trace how their intersection with the Jews and Christians unfolded through the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment, modernity and post modernity will not only gain a better understanding of the past, but will also gain greater clarity about today; and we will grow in our understanding about what it looks like to follow Christ more thoughtfully and faithfully at this moment.
100+ is an overview of 100 of the most important people events and ideas of the last 2000 years. This is a survey of the forces and factors that have shaped today's world, western civilization, the Christian faith and you. This series of lectures is based on the idea that if we step back to the early Greeks and Romans and trace how their intersection with the Jews and Christians unfolded through the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment, modernity and post modernity will not only gain a better understanding of the past, but will also gain greater clarity about today; and we will grow in our understanding about what it looks like to follow Christ more thoughtfully and faithfully at this moment.
Pastor Mike Woodruff is back with another special episode of 100+. Here he interviews Dr. Salim Munayer while in Israel on a spiritual pilgrimage. Salim is the second of three interviews Pastor Mike did while there, so stay tuned for part three coming next week.
100+ is an overview of 100 of the most important people events and ideas of the last 2000 years. This is a survey of the forces and factors that have shaped today's world, western civilization, the Christian faith and you. This series of lectures is based on the idea that if we step back to the early Greeks and Romans and trace how their intersection with the Jews and Christians unfolded through the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment, modernity and post modernity will not only gain a better understanding of the past, but will also gain greater clarity about today; and we will grow in our understanding about what it looks like to follow Christ more thoughtfully and faithfully at this moment.
Pastor Mike Woodruff is back with another special episode of 100+. Here he interviews Rev. Dr. Yohanna Katanacho while in Israel on a spiritual pilgrimage. Yohanna is the first of three interviews Pastor Mike did while there, so stay tuned for parts two and three.
100+ is an overview of 100 of the most important people events and ideas of the last 2000 years. This is a survey of the forces and factors that have shaped today's world, western civilization, the Christian faith and you. This series of lectures is based on the idea that if we step back to the early Greeks and Romans and trace how their intersection with the Jews and Christians unfolded through the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment, modernity and post modernity will not only gain a better understanding of the past, but will also gain greater clarity about today; and we will grow in our understanding about what it looks like to follow Christ more thoughtfully and faithfully at this moment.
In this episode we're examining the lives of George Whitefield and John Wesley and the events that led them to launching the Methodist movement.
In this episode Mike will be explaining and comparing the US and French Revolutions, which both grow out of the Enlightenment, but have significantly different understandings of human nature which shape significantly different forms of government.
In today’s episode we are focusing on the 18th century – sometimes referred to as “the century of lights” – providing you with the panorama of what happened so you get a feel for this period. Then, in subsequent episode we’ll double back and do a deeper dive on some of the more important people, events and ideas.
In today’s lecture, Mike will be discussing the Enlightenment – the major shift in European life and thought that occurred during the 17th and 18th centuries.
In today’s episode, Mike will be providing a fly over of the 17th century – which is one of the most consequential centuries ever. As you will soon see, it was not only full of wars and revolutions, but also advances and changes on numerous fronts. Some of the most interesting and important people – and some of the most controversial and consequential events in Western Civ - unfold during the 1600s.
In today’s episode, Mike will be focusing on Calvin’s Institutes, a collection of four books that were written – and rewritten and rewritten and rewritten - by John Calvin. As you will soon see, it is hard to overstate the value of The Institutes.
Today’s One Hundred Plus Podcast is a bit different. Over the last year, Mike has been walking through an historical overview of 100 of the most important people, places and ideas of the last 2,000 years. It has been a survey of the forces and factors that have shaped today’s world, the Christian faith and you.
The plan has been to lay the track of the one hundred topics and then to double back with supplemental material - such as interviews with authors or deeper dives into certain topics. We are jumping ahead to one of those sessions today.
A friend of Mike’s, Dave Moore, has a book out this week entitled “Stuck in the Present.” Given how closely the book lines up with 100+, and given the fact that the book has released this week, today’s episode is not on Calvin’s Institutes – as was the plan. Instead, it is an interview with Dave Moore.
Today’s episode is the third part in our overview of the Protestant Reformation, which started when a young Augustinian monk nailed 95 theses onto the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517, and became one of the most influential revolutions in Western Civilization.
We have been focused on one of the true pivot points in Western Civilization – the Protestant Reformation, which happened in the 16th century when Martin Luther – the monk with the mallet - set out to correct a problem he saw in the Medieval Catholic church he was serving and ended up splitting the church in two.
This is the third of three lectures on the Reformation. In the first we:
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Looked at the challenges inside the Medieval Church – principally the corruption that was by no means total but which was a real problem – and the ways in which the Gospel had been distorted, especially with regard to issues of repentance and justification. We also tracked the young Martin Luther from birth up to his appearance at the Diet of Worms.
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In the second – podcast number 36 – we followed Luther as he attacked indulgences, ended up excommunicated by both the Pope and the Emperor, was kidnapped by Frederick the Wise, spent a year hiding in the castle at Wartburg, and then as he returned to Wittenberg and led the Reformation. We also looked at his marriage, his death and some of his writings.
In today’s lecture we get a bit more theological. Perhaps I should apologize now. This isn’t exactly the deep end of the pool, but it may be deeper.
We’re going to focus on the Five Solas – which is the shorthand phrase for saying, we are going to discuss the theological principles that Luther and the other reformers will argue for and ultimately establish in Protestant Churches.
These are not the initial issues. Let me remind you that Luther – by his own admission – stumbled into the Reformation. Not only did he not set out to do what he did, but when he first started voicing objections, they were not about the things he would later be so adamant about.
When he nailed the 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg church, he was mad at Tetzel’s sale of indulgences. And if you read the 95 theses that is what you hear about.
He was not mad at the Pope’s power or the celebration of tradition or prayers to the saints, and he is not advocating for the five solas that we are going to focus on. These things will emerge as the reformation plays out, and they are not all driven by Luther. The Reformation ends up being much bigger than him.
However, these five are important and you may hear them brought up from time to time and any thoughtful summary of the Reformation needs to make mention of them, so today they are our focus.
Today we begin our multi-week focus on the Renaissance, staring with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and then stepping back to consider the important intersections of faith and art.
A. In today’s lecture, Mike will be discussing on the rise of Human Rights, showing how they are grounded in the Christian Worldview and tracing their development over three thousand years.
In today’s lecture, Mike will be focusing on two of the Pre-Reformers, John Wycliffe and Jan Hus, explaining what they did that got them sideways with the authorities, and why.
The Bible is the most significant book of all time. Most claims to be “the best” or “the biggest” are long on hype. Not here. There are many ways to substantiate the Bible’s dominance.
Today we turn to two men who are significant for a few reasons.
First, because they point ahead to an event that is going to rock Europe in about one hundred years. That event is the Protestant Reformation. And as you will see, it’s not just a church event. The Reformation ends up changing just about every aspect of life: government, family, business, the arts. The tectonic plates of Europe shift in a big way because of the Reformation.
The second reason they are significant is because of their efforts to get the Bible into the hands of ordinary people – which was not happening at the time. And which they believed was absolutely critical.
The third is because they end up being burned because of their efforts to get the Bible into the hands of everyday people.
I am talking about are John Wycliffe and Jan Hus.
This episode will focuses on the Fourth Lateran Council, a 13th century event you have likely never heard of – and can’t imagine you are listening to a lecture on it. But this council – which is often referred to as the Great Council – is important for a handful of reasons. The one Mike will be highlighting today deals with the formalized endorsement of the doctrine of Transubstantiation. Which is the Roman Catholic idea that the communion elements become the actual body and blood of Christ during the prayer of consecration by a priest.
Today, Mike will be focusing on the rise of the Medieval University, which is important because it was largely a Christian venture and university education begins to have an increasingly significant impact across the world.
In a future lecture Mike will be talking about the rise of Higher Education in the United States, which is its own story. Today he briefly looks back at the academies that were sprouting up back during Augustine’s life, before skipping ahead to the Monestary and Cathedral schools that are the genesis for schools like The University of Paris, Oxford, Cambridge and many others.
We'll be focusing on Aristotle, Anselm, Aquinas and their contributions to the rise of Scholasticism.
A. In today’s podcast, we will be exploring the challenges the church has with power and looking at some of its internal efforts at reform – most notably, the work of Pope Gregory VII and the Cluniac movement.
In today’s podcast, we'll focus on the Great Schism of 1054, which divided the church between the West — the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches — and the East — the capital “O” Orthodox churches.
Today we're looking at the impact of one of the most famous Brits of all time – a quiet Benedictine Monk named Bede. He is then going to show how Bede fits into a long line of Christians who elevate the life of the mind.
At this moment, about one-third of the world’s population makes some sort of claim to be a follower of Christ. That means that the group Jesus launched with just a few, has spread and grown more dynamically than any other movement in history. How did this happen? In Episode 18 of One Hundred Plus, Mike is going to leverage the impact of Saint Columba, a 6th century Irish missionary, to provide an overview of the history of mission. He will back up to show Jesus commissioning his simple and unimpressive followers to launch the church, and then trace how it grows to become, what is now, the oldest, largest, longest-lasting, most geographically-dispersed and ethnically-diverse organization in history.
On today’s episode we look at Gregory the Great, a remarkable figure who shaped the church and impacted the world at a fragile moment in Western History. It is hard to imagine how different our lives would be without this man. Mike is going to give you an overview of his life, talk about how he changed the trajectory of the West and suggest that we all look to raise our game in light of his example.
Today, we continue our slide into the Middle Ages with a look at Monasticism in general and St. Benedict in particular. Not that long ago, monks were viewed as odd and quirky. Today, they are often celebrated for their wines and cheeses, and their monasteries have gained quite a bit of cultural cache as exactly the kind of place to go to detox from this crazy world. Neither view is particularly accurate, so in this episode, Mike will be exploring the origins of monasticism as well as tracing its development, paying particular attention to the Father of Monasticism himself, Saint Benedict.
In the last episode, Mike discussed the fall of Rome and offered a quick summary of the arch of Western Civilization. In today’s podcast we pick up 125 years after Nicaea. The barbarians now control growing sections of the West – which hopes that the East will come to their rescue. But they do not, in part because the emperor there – a man named Theodosius - is trying to stay on top of a religious dispute. One that deals yet again with our understanding of Christ, and one that will be addressed in the topic today, the Council of Chalcedon.
Welcome to One Hundred Plus – episode number 13, in which Mike Woodruff will focus on the fall of Rome and also provide a brief overview of the development of Western Civilization.
The man we study in today’s episode was a cranky curmudgeon that few could get along with, but he was a thoughtful scholar and a man determined to chase after God. And in the end, God used him in very important ways. His name is Jerome, and among the many works he produced was a translation of the Bible that shaped the west for more than 1,000 years.
Today we look at Augustine, who is the most important figure to date – A post-Nicaean Father, A doctor of the Church. A philosopher, a writer, a pastor, a bishop and someone who is so big that in some ways he bridges the divide between antiquity and theMiddle Ages.
As a theologian, writer, thinker and church leader, he has shaped your thinking whether you know it or not.
Today we step back and consider the formation of the New Testament. Perhaps you have not thought much about how they determined which books and letters became part of the Bible. But it is an important question, and the hero of last week’s podcast plays a part.
Today we consider a brave and tireless worker named Athanasius. He was born in the last third century, attended the Council of Nicaea, was elected Bishop of Alexandria when he was still quite young and wrote several important books. But what he is most noted for, was tirelessly fighting to defend the Creed of Nicaea (which was drafted to declare the full deity of Jesus) from decades of attacks.
If you have heard the statement, Athanasius Contra Mundum, it is all about this man.
Last week we considered three ways Constantine the Great shaped the world. Today we look at a fourth – he convened The Council of Nicaea, which was the first of the seven major church councils.
The council – which unfolds a bit more like a Chicago political conference than you might expect, and which also includes a cameo appearance by Santa Claus (you’ll have to listen to understand) – is remarkable for many reasons. One of the most remarkable is the way it displays the hand of God.
Below you will find three things. The first is the Creed of Nicaea. As I will explain, this is not the same thing as the Nicene Creed, but I thought you might like to see it all the same. The second is a 16th century painting of the gathering. The third is a painting that shows Arius defeated and under the feet of Constantine.
The Creed of Nicaea
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten of his Father, of the substance.
God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance[i] with the Father. By whom all things were made, both which be in heaven and in earth. Who for us men and for our salvation came down [from heaven] and was incarnate and was made man. He suffered and on the third day he rose again and ascended into heaven. And he shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead.
And we believe in the Holy Ghost.
And whosoever shall say that there was a time when the Son of God was not or that before he was begotten he was not, or that he was made of things that were not, or that he is of a different substance or essence from the Father or that he is a creature, or subject to change or conversion — all that to say, the catholic[ii] and Apostolic Church anathematizes them.
Today we consider the life of the Roman Emperor Constantine, whose influence was enormous.
The Apostle’s Creed was not written by the Apostles nor is it found in the Bible, but it is a work of monumental importance. It is the elevator speech of the Christian faith, and every week, hundreds of millions of people recite it – most of whom have memorized it. Perhaps you have as well.
In today’s episode, I look a bit at the history behind the Apostles’ Creed, and also make a few other observations about it.
Here is the Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in:
the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Today’s episode finishes our overview of the Ante-Nicaean Fathers – the group of church leaders who bridged the gap between the Apostles and the Council of Nicaea. We began our focus on this 225 year period back in week three, with a look at the apologist Justin Martyr. Last week I mentioned Bishop Polycarp. In today’s episode we look at four leaders and four challenges.
We remain in the second century today as we consider the life – and death – of Polycarp, an early church leader. Bishop Polycarp was from Smyrna and was discipled by the Apostle John himself. He was considered one of the 3 most significant early church fathers. We can learn much about courage from Polycarp.
Today we move into the 2nd century – the era of the Church Fathers (also called the Patristic Period). Our focus is on a Samaritan philosopher named Justin Martyr, who is famous for a number of things, principally for writing the First Apology - i.e., the first defense of the faith. (He is also famous for being killed for his faith. “Martyr” was not his last name. As you will learn, he was martyred).
Quotes from Justin Martyr:
- We used to hate and destroy one another and refused to associate with people of another race or country. Now, because of Christ, we live together with such people and pray for our enemies.
- By examining the tongue of the patient, physicians find out the diseases of the body, and philosophers the diseases of the mind.
The First Apology: Click here for a link to The First Apology.
Today we consider the fall of Jerusalem, which happened in 70AD. It’s an event of great importance to both Jews and Christians.
In this episode, Mike Woodruff looks at the burning of Rome which happened In 64 AD, during the time covered by the book of Acts In the Bible. This led to the spread of the Christian faith.
Welcome to the pilot episode of 100 +, a series about the 100 most significant people, events and Ideas of the last 2,000 years as It relates to Christianity and the Church.
Why do we study church history? Listen to this episode and find out.