"Hey! I'm walkin here!"

St. Ignatius, probably

Not much is known of the 1st Century early church father known as Ignatius of Antioch. His early life, conversion, and place of origin are steeped in mystery.

What we do know is this: after serving as the Bishop of Antioch for many years, Ignatius was captured during the persecution of Trajan. Rather than offer him a merciful execution, the old man was forced to march from his home throughout the Empire, finally ending in Rome where he would be killed by wild beasts.

Some might call it a farewell tour.

Join your favorite church history dummies as we discuss the legacy of the man known as "The God Bearer." We also talk a lot about therapy, for some reason. It's a good time.

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"F is for friends who do stuff together"

-St. Peter, about Clement, probably

You know what we love about the early church?

That with a couple of history books and a number 2 pencil, you can sketch a nice, neat line right from the Book of Acts to the first wave of church fathers. Apostolic succession is a heck of a drug.

And chief of these early church leaders was Clement of Rome, author of some neat epistles, and widely revered bishop of Rome.

Join the fellas today as we talk about our boy Clem, Father's Day, and Taylor shares about a saint you've probably never heard of before.

Thanks for listening!

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(Banter ends: 10:28)

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Imagine if you were a really cool guy.

Like, a really cool guy. You helped all your friends know Jesus better. Wrote all these interesting theological ideas. Came up with all these fun words in Greek. Everybody liked you.

And then in 500 years, someone read your journal and became a heretic, so now everyone hates you. And even now, everyone hates you. They think you're the worst.

That's what happened to Origen. Okay, not really. It's a little more complicated than that. But that's how we'll start.

Join J, T, and T, as we discuss the mystery of church history's most elusive church father.

Also everyone makes fun of John for stuttering literally one time because apparently it's hilarious.

(Banter ends- 5:50)

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Imagine going to a country with one of the oldest expressions of Christian faith...as a BAPTIST?!?!?

Just kidding. But really, Taylor just got back from a week-long mission trip in Ethiopia, eastern Africa's historic den of Christianity.

So how did it go? What is the relationship between the Ethiopian Protestants and the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians? Are mission trips something that the church needs to invest more in? Does Taylor have any fun new accents to try out?

Listen to our latest episode of CHUMP TALK for all that and more.

And don't worry, we'll be back to church history next week. Just let us have our fun for a little bit.

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"Nice pagan temple. Be a shame if someone...Christianized it."

-Constantine, probably

The conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity was one of the most groundbreaking events to occur in the history of Rome. The single most influential political figure in the world had official changed divine allegiances.

But as we'll talk about today, the implications for this change would be felt in the religious spheres of the Empire as well. Across territories, Constantine would go about building some of the most ornate churches the world has ever seen.

Join the boys as they get back into arguing about Constantine and whether the movie was any good or not. Also Taylor is in ketosis, and Thomas is pretty uncomfortable about it.

(Banter ends 9:15)

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The scandal of Christianity is that the Church is seldom greatest amongst the rich and powerful. Often, those rich in spirit are poor in worldly treasure. The "abundant life" promised in the Gospels is nearest to those who share in Christ's sufferings.

History often shows how the power of the Spirit is felt in the quiet, overlooked spaces of the powerless and vulnerable.

For many years, this was the experience of the African American Church.

Listen as Tom and John are joined by Dr. Walter Strickland, who shares from his years of study spent on the topic of Black Christianity in the United States.

We discuss pressing and relevant questions, like: Why is Christianity considered the white man's religion? Was the Black Church historically involved in missions? Is it cool for white churches to sing Gospel songs? And much more.

If you'd like to check out Swing Low, Dr. Strickland's phenomenal new book, you can check it out here.

Check out Chomp Theology!

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Tertullian always had a dragon's tongue.

After his conversion and baptism, he would unleash his fiery rhetoric on heretics, pagan emperors, and persecuting powers. In the process, he would pen some of the finest Latin theology of the early 3rd century.

But over time, this dragon would lose its wits. If you've ever wondered why, of the many early church fathers, Tertullian was one of the few denied the title of Saint, wonder no more.

John is still sick, and it shows (sorry he sounds like a cartoon character with the flu). But hey, the gang's all here, and that includes YOU! Wow.

(Banter ends at 8:41)

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Imagine you're a 4th century Roman soldier on assignment in North Africa.

Among the theological tension of this region, strange rumors begin to circulate. That within the region of Carthage, there are a peculiarly zealous sect of young men who, well...you'll see soon enough.

Join Jonathan Taylor Thomas as we discuss this strange phenomena in church history, and how it may, or may not, relate to the church today.

Also, John is very sick, and Thomas is very tired. And Taylor makes a lot of Dnd jokes. So it's a little unhinged at times. Bear with us.

(Banter ends at 8:40)

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