Our Church Speaks

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.

Ben Lansing, founder of the Our Church Speaks art series and podcast project, is an artist who makes historically informed portraits and teaches church history. He talks about his journey from house church disillusionment to Anglican practice. He explains how historic writings, the Lord's Supper, and art shaped his faith. He also discusses portraying saints, controversies over portraits, and bridging traditions with curiosity.

A lively conversation about Benedict and Scholastica as formative monastic leaders. They explore the rise of monastic life after Rome and why a disciplined rule of life mattered. Stories and anecdotes reveal their humility and communal impact. The discussion looks at submission, communal practice, and how monasteries quietly rebuilt society.

A vivid life story of an Indian scholar who challenged caste, child marriage, and widow stigma. Her Sanskrit mastery, cross-caste marriage, and public speaking shook social norms. She encountered Christianity in England and translated Scripture into Marathi. She founded schools and communities for widows while separating Western culture from authentic faith.

Ben and Dan tell the story of Olga, a merciless pagan queen of the Dark Ages who was transformed by the profound mercy of Jesus Christ, and her grandson, Vladimir, who was forever changed by Olga's faith. Cover art by Ben Lansing. 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

Ben and Dan reflect on the life and times of John Bunyan, a 17th century Puritan Baptist preacher and author of the seminal work of English literature, The Pilgrim's Progress. Cover art by Ben Lansing. 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, leaving a review, and supporting financially at https://buymeacoffee.com/ourchurchspeaks?new=1 For more about the English Civil War era of church history, listen to Ben's interview about King Charles I on the Church History for Chumps podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/church-history-for-chumps/id1686344331?i=1000697609691

Dan and Ben discuss the life and work of Macrina the Younger, an early church mother who inherited the apostle's teaching and defended the faith through her prayer and service. 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

Ben and Dan recount the remarkable stories of Olaudah Equiano, William Wilberforce, and the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, including the influence of the first Great Awakening on this remarkable evangelical social reform movement. Cover art by Ben Lansing. 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, leaving a review, and supporting financially.

Discover the inspiring story of Esther John, a brave 20th-century Pakistani Christian martyr. Her unique journey from Kamar Zia to Esther John symbolizes her commitment to faith. The podcast explores how Isaiah 53 drew her to Christianity, emphasizing the appeal of vulnerability in her cultural context. From grassroots bicycle evangelism to her impactful local ministry, Esther’s legacy radiates character over accomplishments. Her martyrdom at age 30 continues to inspire, highlighting the importance of serving within one's own culture.

Orlando Palmer, known as I Am Son, is a musician and songwriter with roots in a musical family and a passion for church music. He and Ben delve into Johann Sebastian Bach's profound legacy as a church composer and discuss how his faith influenced his work. Orlando shares how growing up in a musical household shaped his own artistry and the significance of hymns from his grandmother. They explore the impact of congregational singing on creativity and encourage listeners to integrate music into their daily lives.