Tc Apologetics

Recording date: 2018-02-25 The Reformation continues, bringing more voices and opinions to consider. Brief discussion of Thomas Muntzer, the Diet of Speyer, Philip Melanchthon, and Ulrich Zwingli. Plus, we contrast the different approaches known as the Regulative and Normative principles. Late 1520s AD.

Recording date: 2018-02-18 A quick sidebar on the difference between sacraments and ordinances, and three methods of application. Then we look at what else is happening in contemporary history. Lastly, an overview of the "Five Solas" of the Reformation and a comparison to Aristotle's causes.

Recording date: 2018-02-11 A look at some of Luther's other writings, the selection of a new emperor, and the Diet of Worms. 1520-21 AD.

Recording date: 2018-01-28 A continuation of the immediate aftermath of Luther's actions. This week we look at The Leipzig Debate, Leo X's Exsurge Domine, and Luther's tract "To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation". 1519-20 AD.

Recording date: 2018-01-21  Today we very briefly reviewed the events and players central to the conflict at issue in Luther's 95 Theses. Then, with that stage set, we look at the immediate aftermath. Specifically, The Heidelberg Disputation and The Augsburg Discussions. 1518 AD.

Recording date: 2018-01-14 In today's class we discuss Luther's "Tower Experience" in which he first resolves what Paul (and Habakkuk) meant by the phrase "the just shall live by faith". Also discussed is the mistaken translation (and therefore the misunderstanding) of the biblical word "justification". Roughly 1519 AD.

Recording date: 2017-12-17 Last week we saw the religious climate that Luther would react to, but there is more to the story. This week we talk about the discipline of higher criticism that led Erasmus to write what would become the Textus Receptus. In turn, this would spur Luther to find a significant translation error in the bible most widely used at the time. This discovery, along with abuses in the Roman Church, would prompt Luther to write The 95 Theses. We look at some of the specific theses in this class. Roughly 1517 AD

Recording date: 2017-12-10 Want to know about Luther's involvement with The Reformation? This is where we start digging in. In this class we talk about Luther's return to Wittenberg for his first class, his rejection of the medieval approach to interpreting scripture, the antics of Albert of Brendenburg, his hiring of Johann Tetzel, Frederick's dislike of competition, and how Luther felt about it all. Roughly 1513 - 1517 AD.

Recording date: 2017-12-03 Why is there a swan next to Luther all the time? What early events were formative in making Luther the man he would become? Roughly 1510-1513 AD.

Recording date: 2017-11-26 Finally - The Reformation! We talk about some popes, the Sistine Chapel, Christopher Columbus, and Michelangelo, then dip our toes into understanding Martin Luther's early days. Roughly 1450 - 1506 AD.

Recording date: 2017-11-19 Our last class setting the stage for the formal Reformation. Topics include John Wycliffe, John Huss, the Council of Constance, and a very brief overview of the Reformation. Roughly 1350 - 1450 AD.

Recording date: 2017-11-05 A review of the church's actions which inspired a backlash that would build a foundation that Luther would soon draw upon. Topics include the Avignon Papacy, the Great Plague, the Great Western Schism, the 100 Year War, and an introduction to John Wycliffe. Roughly 1300 - 1400 AD.

Recording date: 2017-10-22 Overview of the High Middle Ages. Topics include Scholasticism, Infallibility, Monastic Orders, Popes Innocent III and Boniface VIII, and the relationship between followers of Christ and the church. Roughly 1100 - 1300 AD.

Recording date: 2017-10-15 Continuation of Early Middle Ages. Topics include the "Rule of the Harlots", Monastic Reform, Vikings and the Crusades. Roughly 800 - 1100 AD.

Recording date: 2017-10-08 Overview of the early Medieval church. Topics include Pope Gregory the Great, sacerdotalism, rise of Islam, continuing development of transubstantiation, and the birth of the Holy Roman Empire. Roughly 590 - 800 AD.

Recording date: 2017-10-01 Thoughts on Constantine's impact on the church, then continued historical overview from Augustine to dawn of the Medieval church. Roughly 400 - 590 AD.

Recording date: 2017-09-24 Discussion about the earliest record of the title "Pope" and the development of the doctrine of papal primacy, followed by historical review. Roughly 300 - 410 AD.

Recording date: 2017-09-17 Intro to topic. Historical review Roughly pre-Christ to 300AD

This is part 10 in my current Sunday School class called “What is God Like?” (If you’d like to learn more about the series, check this post on our website.) This week we wrap up our discussion of God's immutability, and move on to impassibility. What is impassibility, is it universally accepted, and what are the reasons given to accept or reject it. The handout for this class is available here.

The stories we think of when reflecting on Christmas are inspired more by folklore than they are history. According to Ben Witherington, "The Christmas portions of the gospel are, perhaps, the most beloved, and the most belabored, texts in the New Testament. Like works of art that have been lacquered with coat after coat of varnish, the original stories are hardly visible anymore." In our meeting (divided here into 5 parts), we explored which are true, which are false, and what we really know about the time around Jesus' birth.