The History of the Early Church

About this podcast

The Story of Christianity from 30 to 451 A.D. Covering the great stories of the Apostles, Bishops, Saints, Monks, and Martyrs from Pentecost to the Council of Chalcedon. historyoftheearlychurch.wordpress.com

The History of the Early Church

Episodes

2021
71- The Eusebians Strike Back
Despite their defeat at the Council of Nicaea, the allies of Arius begin to mount a successful comeback. Within the span of only a few years, they manage to bring down the bishop of Antioch and return their partisans from exile. Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
February 27, 2021
30 min
70- An Imperial Pilgrimage
After a dynastic tragedy rocks the imperial family, Constantine's mother Helena undertakes a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A pilgrimage which will become the stuff of legends... Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
February 17, 2021
33 min
69- The Council of Nicaea Part II
With the controversy over Arius addressed, the Council of Nicaea proceeds on to the remainder of its agenda. From the date of Easter to the Meletian schism, there were numerous other issues facing the early Church... Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
February 10, 2021
34 min
68- The Council of Nicaea Part I
The emperor Constantine convokes the largest council yet in the history of the early Church to settle the controversy over Arius once and for all... Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
January 31, 2021
37 min
67- One Emperor, One God
With his victory over Licinius, Constantine became sole master of the Roman world. The emperor's vision of a Christian empire however is soon undermined by the controversy over Arius. Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook/EarlyChurchPodcast
January 23, 2021
27 min
2020
66- The Last Persecution
After falling out with Constantine, the eastern emperor Licinius turns against his Christian subjects... Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
November 30, 2020
25 min
65- When the Son was Not
The bishop of Alexandria expounds on the relationship between God the Father and the Son. However, the presbyter Arius reacts strongly against this theology. Soon the dispute between the two men sets the eastern churches ablaze with the fires of controversy. A controversy which will come to dominate the history of the early Church for the rest of the century... Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
November 10, 2020
34 min
64- The Road to Arius
In this episode we examine the immediate background to the Arian Controversy by surveying the theological climate of the Greek East in the late third and early fourth centuries. Music "Sons of Constantinople" by Austin Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
October 27, 2020
37 min
63- Introducing the Arian Controversy with Ross Twele
In today's episode we have an interview with Ross Twele. Ross is a Ph.D. student who specializes in the great fourth century theological controversy known as the "Arian Controversy." The Arian Controversy centered around the relationship between the Father and the Son and will dominate much of our narrative for the rest of the century. This episode will serve as our introduction to this complex and multifaceted period. You can find Ross's blog here: TheUnsolvedPuzzle.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
September 13, 2020
91 min
62- The Donatist Schism Part II
After receiving a petition from north Africa, Constantine is drawn into the conflict between the Donatists and Caecilianists. The emperor attempts to end the schism and restore unity to the Church by differing the matter church councils, without much success... Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
September 6, 2020
37 min
61- The Donatist Schism Part I
In the aftermath of the Great Persecution, the Christian communities of north Africa are violently split in two by schism. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com FaceBook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
August 31, 2020
35 min
Bonus 5- Martyrdom and Persecution with Stephen Guerra
In this episode we have another special extra-length crossover with Stephen Guerra from The History of the Papacy Podcast! Stephen and I discuss martyrdom and Roman persecution in early Christianity. We touch on topics ranging from modern studies into martyrdom, to myths about the persecutions, to how we critically evaluate ancient martyrdom accounts. I think you all will definitely enjoy this one! You can find Stephen's podcast at: atozhistorypage.com/papacy Facebook.com/HistoryOfThePapacyPodcast Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
August 17, 2020
91 min
60- Retrospective on the Great Persecution
In this episode we look back at the past decade of history we've covered. I offer some of my reflections on writing the podcast as well as the martyrs, the Tetrarchy, the rise of Constantine, and the legacy of the Great Persecution. Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
July 29, 2020
20 min
59- The Peace of the Church
Constantine confers with Licinius at Milan to cement their alliance and lay down the new imperial policy towards Christianity and religion in the Roman Empire. Meanwhile, the last persecuting emperor Maximinus Daia races westward to crush his rivals, vowing to Jupiter that if he is victorious, he will wipe out the Christian faith.
July 8, 2020
37 min
58- It's Not Over Yet
Despite the Edict of Galerius, his nephew Maximinus Daia refuses to end the Great Persecution. After securing his power base, the emperor of the east launches a cunning campaign to resume the persecution of Christians and discredit their faith with slander and propaganda.
June 24, 2020
30 min
57- In This Sign
Constantine experiences a vision in the sky assuring him of victory and longevity. Later during the final confrontation with Maxentius in Italy, Constantine has a dream which leads him to re-interpret the vision and look to the Christian God as his divine patron. Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
June 8, 2020
38 min
56- The Palinode of Galerius
During the lull in persecution following the Conference of Carnuntum, the Meletian Schism breaks out in Egypt, while in Palestine controversy erupts over the theology of Origen of Alexandria. Nevertheless the Great Persecution is soon resumed as the Fifth Edict is issued in order to revitalize paganism and marginalize Christians from society. However, just as Galerius prepares to celebrate his Vicennalia, he is struck by a horrific disease, eventually leading him to reconsider his persecution of Christians. Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
May 24, 2020
35 min
55- Toleration in the West
The accessions of Constantine and then Maxentius lead to an official end to the Great Persecution in the western provinces. However peace continues to elude both Church and State. Maxentius' usurpation triggers a civil war while factional violence erupts within the Churches of Rome and Africa. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com
May 16, 2020
32 min
54- The Worst of the Persecutors
The succession of the second Tetrarchy grants the eastern Christians a respite from the Great Persecution. However, it is not long before Galerius and his new Caesar Maximinus Daia resume the persecution and introduce new harsher methods of enforcement and punishment in the process. Meanwhile the seeds of schism are sown in the Church of Egypt by the controversial activities of the new bishop of Lycopolis. Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
April 26, 2020
42 min
53- Confessors and Traitors
The Great Persecution takes a much different course in the Western Roman Empire. While Christians in Gaul and Britain remain relatively unaffected, Christians in Italy, Spain, and especially Africa suffer greatly. These events will sow the seeds of bitter schisms among the western churches. Music “Sons of Constantinople” by Tyler Cunningham, licensed under Pond5. HistoryoftheEarlyChurch.wordpress.com HistoryoftheEarlyChurch@gmail.com Facebook.com/EarlyChurchPodcast
April 12, 2020
33 min

The History of the Early Church

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

The History of the Early Church

Episodes

71- The Eusebians Strike Back

70- An Imperial Pilgrimage

69- The Council of Nicaea Part II

68- The Council of Nicaea Part I

67- One Emperor, One God

66- The Last Persecution

65- When the Son was Not

64- The Road to Arius

63- Introducing the Arian Controversy with Ross Twele

62- The Donatist Schism Part II

61- The Donatist Schism Part I

Bonus 5- Martyrdom and Persecution with Stephen Guerra

60- Retrospective on the Great Persecution

59- The Peace of the Church

58- It's Not Over Yet

57- In This Sign

56- The Palinode of Galerius

55- Toleration in the West

54- The Worst of the Persecutors

53- Confessors and Traitors