Church History and Theology

Here we look into the effects and introduce some of the difficulties of Ignatius of Antioch. Which letters are authentic is still a matter of debate but his outsized influence is not. How should a Christian weigh such...

A quick update about life, CHT, and some big news! Links from this episode: https://www.suvel.org churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me

The Epistle of Barnabas is an early Christian work from around AD 100. Attributed to Paul's companion but likely anonymous, it reinterprets the Old Testament through allegory, claiming the Mosaic Law was never meant to...

In the second century, the post-apostolic church learned to read its emerging Scriptures, shape its practice, and endure episodic Roman persecutions that claimed witnesses such as Ignatius and Polycarp. Confronted by...

Herein we explore what church gatherings looked like in 50–150 AD—early believers met before dawn (and sometimes after work) in private homes rather than dedicated buildings. We'll look at how worship was understood as...

Why did the Apostles write the New Testament at all? In this episode, we explore how the New Testament is not just inspired—it's the official, covenantal documentation of the New Covenant. We show why its existence...

The epistles of Ignatius in the Short recension are preserved for us in this form only in the Syriac. If they are more representative of the original writings of Ignatius, then they are some of the earliest Christian...

When we open our Old Testaments, are we looking at the same books that Jesus and the Apostles were looking at and considering divinely inspired? The answer to that question and so many more as we look into this issue...

The life and legacy of the Apostle John—the last surviving eyewitness of Jesus' ministry. From his early days as a fisherman in Galilee to his pivotal role in the Jerusalem church, and finally to his later years in...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating yet problematic world of hagiography through the lens of The Acts of Paul and Thecla. Who was Thecla, and why has her story captivated Christian imagination for centuries...

In this episode, we dive into the life and legacy of James, the brother of Jesus. Often overshadowed by hagiography and theological embellishments, James emerges from the New Testament as a devout follower of Christ, a...

The Didache, one of the earliest Christian documents, offers a rare glimpse into the worship, instruction, and practices of a local church in the late 1st or early 2nd century, emphasizing themes of ethical living...

Special links! The interview on "Two Creations One Creator" is found on Spotify at the following link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fBBumuP8DngBzRCBp8cXT On to the episode! Rome! City? Empire? Church? Why, yes...

How is it that the Holy Spirit guided His people to recognize His writings? Did they vote? Hold a council? What was it? Join today as we discuss the concept of inspiration, preservation, and recognition of the Word of...

1 Clement is a first-century letter from the Roman church to the Corinthian church, written after Corinth dismissed its elders. Known for its extensive use of Scripture, the letter reflects a deep familiarity with the...