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Category: Christianity
Rodney Stark on the Triumph of Christianity, Part 1
How does a small group of invididuals in a religiously-hostile environment build a sectarian movement of Judaism into the world’s largest faith tradition? Prof. Rodney Stark (Baylor) discusses the important sociological ingredients for Christianity’s success in the first three centuries of its existence. We examine the religious landscape at the time of Jesus’s birth (including both paganism and Judaism), as well as the sometimes surprising role of that mercy, persecution, wealthy individuals, and gender played in the growth of Christianity. Search our archives for more great podcasts. This is free content courtesy of Baylor’s ISR, so please tell a friend about us with the social network links below. Thank you! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Allison Pond on Being a Mormon Missionary
What is it like to go on a Mormon mission to Russia? Allison Pond, recently of the Pew Forum and now a journalist with the Deseret News, recounts her two-year religious sojourn to southern Russia. We learn about why she went, her preparation for the trip, what the first day on the ground was like, and the various ups and downs of mission life. We also discuss the changing religious landscape in Russia and what that meant for Latter Day Saints who were in the field. Please tell a friend about our free educational podcast. And don’t forget to subscribe to us on iTunes and Facebook (just click the links on the right hand column of our website). Thanks! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Scott Thompson on Youth Ministry
Scott Thompson, the youth pastor at Redemption Church in Duvall (WA), reveals his insights into running a youth ministry. We discuss the daily operations of a youth ministry as well as some of the challenges facing junior high and high school students and how a congregation in a rural Washington town attempts to attract and retain students in religious life. This is the third in our series of interviews looking at Redemption Church and includes a special guest appearance by the host’s eleven year old son. If you like this interview, there is a good chance some of your friends will too. Please tell them about it! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Andrew Hoffecker on Charles Hodge and Princeton Theological Seminary
To help celebrate Princeton Theological Seminary’s bicentennial, Prof. Andrew Hoffecker (Reformed Theological Seminary) joins us to talk about the life and times of Charles Hodge , a major figure in Presbyterian thought who helped influence the American evangelicalism. We trace his life from early childhood through his formative experience in Berlin and then discuss how Hodge viewed various controversies that beset the Presbyterian Church and the American nation in the first half of the 19th century. Our free podcast is a great educational tool for college students and homeschoolers. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Chris Beneke on Religion, Markets, and the Founding Era
To what extent is the term “market” useful in describing or understanding religion, particularly during the era of America’s founding in the late 18th century? We take up this discussion with Prof. Chris Beneke of Bentley University who recently wrote a paper about the use of the “free market” metaphor. We talk about the use of economics to study religion as well as whether the Founding Fathers intended to create a laissez faire landscape for religious competition. Start your new year right by subscribing to our free podcast series on iTunes or via our RSS feed. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Ryan Habig on Music Ministry and “With Us” (a Habig original song)
Join Research on Religion for a very special live musical recording of “With Us” by Ryan Habig. We also talk about the importance and details of running a music ministry. This is part of a series examining Redemption Church, a congregation of 500 or so folks in the small town of Duvall, WA. Ryan discusses what drew him to music ministry, his background, and his weekly routine that not only includes making music but running anything and everything from the church website to organizing the ushers. We also include a rendition of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” just in time for the holidays! You gotta spread the word about this podcast by clicking the social media below. Be the first to make “With Us” go viral! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Jeff Rose on Street Preaching
What would you do if you were a street preacher and someone poured beer on your head, blew smoke in your face, and threatened you with a knife? Jeff Rose of JeremiahCry Ministries has had that experience and he reveals his response in this fascinating interview that covers Jeff’s path to the street preaching profession and what it takes to be a street preacher. Click “read more” for important links and related podcasts. There is more to see than just what is on this page! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Jason Jewell on John Locke & Religious Toleration
Prof. Jason Jewell enlightens us on the life, times, and philosophy of John Locke with specific attention to his views on religious toleration. We discuss Locke’s influence on Western culture as well as how he may have affected our views on church-state relations and religious liberty. Jason and Tony also contemplate the role of intellectuals on history and Jason gives us some insight into his online project to read the Great Books of Western Civilization. When it comes to gift giving, if it is the “thought that counts,” consider giving the gift of “Research on Religion” because we are filled to the brim with incredible thoughts from incredible scholars. Plus, our podcast is completely free! Subscribe to us on iTunes and mention us to a friend on Facebook. Thanks! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Jared Rubin on Christian and Islamic Economic History
Did religion or church-state institutions have anything to do with the great economic divergence between Christian Europe and the Islamic world beginning in the 11th century? Prof. Jared Rubin of Chapman University reviews the economic history of these two civilizations, covers the dominant explanations for the observed divergence, and then discusses his own research showing that the relationship between religious and political authorities in each region of the world had a great deal to do with why Europe surged ahead economically. We focus primarily on the role of usury laws and financial interest, but Prof. Rubin gives us a taste of some of his work relating to the economic importance of the printing press. Never miss an action-packed episode. Subscribe to Research on Religion on iTunes or use our RSS feed. See the links on the right hand side of our webpage. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Allen Hertzke on Religious Liberty
Prof. Allen Hertzke of the University of Oklahoma joins us to discuss religious liberty around the world. We cover why religious liberty has become an increasingly important issue in foreign affairs and why many intellectual and government elites tend to dismiss its importance. The conversation also includes current threats to religious freedoms in many parts of the world and what positive effects might arise from the spread of religious liberties. Learn more about this topic by clicking “read more” below. We have links to valuable reading material and additional podcasts! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] |
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