Our Church Speaks

In this special episode of the Our Church Speaks podcast, Ben welcomes Kristen Barredo, Executive Director of the ARDF (the Anglican Relief & Development Fund) to discuss the current humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the needs of the church in this war-torn region. Learn more about the ARDF at www.ardf.org and donate to their relief efforts. // More about the Our Church Speaks book and the Our Church Speaks project at ourchurchspeaks.com If you've benefited from this podcast, please consider rating our podcast and leaving a review.

They explore Justin Martyr’s journey from Greek philosopher to defender of early Christian belief. They trace his conversion, use of Greek thought to explain faith, and efforts to bridge Jewish and Gentile Christians. They cover his writings, descriptions of early worship, and his refusal to capitulate to imperial demands leading to martyrdom.

They trace the travels of Sadhu Sundar Singh across India, Tibet, Nepal and beyond. They explore his choice to adopt sadhu dress and contextualize Christianity for Indian culture. They recount vivid teachings on prayer, suffering and bearing the cross. They discuss his confrontations with temptation, perseverance amid persecution, mysterious disappearance, and critique of Western Christianity.

A dramatic life story from 19th-century Punjab and the clash of religions and colonial forces. A teenager’s spiral into despair after family tragedy and a shocking act of burning scripture. Tense family rejection and even attempts on his life. The choice to adopt sadhu dress to bring a new form of faith to his homeland.

A lively conversation about the meaning and timing of Lent and its 40-day biblical roots. They trace early church fasting practices and links to baptismal preparation. The discussion reframes Lent as a voluntary discipline for spiritual growth. Practical reasons for fasting, repentance, joy, and communal rhythms like Shrove Tuesday are also explored.

Ben Lansing, an artist and church-history communicator who creates portraits and teaching resources, joins to correct myths about the Council of Nicaea. He explains what Nicaea actually debated, why Constantine’s role is often overstated, and how early Christians treated scripture long before the council. Short, clear takes on popular misinformation and how to read primary sources for yourself.

Ben and Dan chat about the African desert father and martyr, Moses the Ethiopian and his inspiring story of redemption. More about the Our Church Speaks book and the Our Church Speaks project at ourchurchspeaks.com If you've benefited from this podcast, your support would do so much to help promote this content to a wider audience. Please consider rating our podcast and leaving a review. You can support the Our Church Speaks project financially at https://buymeacoffee.com/ourchurchspeaks?new=1

A lively dive into 8th century geopolitics, showing how Islamic expansion and Frankish politics shaped Western Christendom. They explore Alcuin of York’s role in education, literacy, and the Carolingian Renaissance. Conversations stress noncoercive conversion, missionary ethics, and long-term monastic formation as models for cultural renewal.

Dr. Mika Edmondson, pastor and theologian with a PhD in systematic theology and author of The Power of Unearned Suffering, explores Martin Luther King Jr.'s theology of suffering, theodicy, and God's presence amid pain. He traces FBI smear campaigns, explains King's democratic socialist critiques of capitalism, highlights nonviolence and imaginative rhetoric, and points to which parts of King's vision remain unfulfilled.

Dr. Micah Edmondson, pastor of Koinonia Church and systematic theologian who wrote The Power of Unearned Suffering. He explores MLK’s Black Baptist roots and family legacy of nonviolence. He traces influences from Morehouse, seminary, Jesus and Gandhi, and Boston personalism. He highlights King’s pastoral spiritual practices and the ‘kitchen vision’ that sustained him through threats.