Church History for Chumps

A life of medicine, faith, and enormous loss after the Nagasaki bombing. Conversion to Catholicism and a marriage that shaped his vocation. Radiation illness and the ethics of wartime medical service. Rebuilding a shattered city through care, trees, libraries, and a relentless push for peace.

The year is 70 AD. Christianity has existed for less than 40 years. Unrest is growing in Jerusalem between factions of militant Jewish citizens and their Roman captors. A siege is about to break out that will alter the history of Christianity and Judaism forever. Thomas and John are joined by Pastor Joshua Palmer to chop it up. Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/chumphistory

A moving wartime tale about a priest who volunteered to die for another man in Auschwitz. Conversation covers his rescue work, the starvation cell, and the survivor’s testimony. They wrestle with his deep devotion to Mary and how Protestants might fairly respond. Light humor and theological reflection keep the tone thoughtful and accessible.

A lively retelling of a second-century leader who chose death over denial of faith. They cover his ministry, arrest, dramatic trial reply, and the strange details reported at his execution. The conversation probes early Christian identity, how martyr stories shaped communities, and how death was reframed as spiritual testimony.

A deep dive into Anthony the Great and the birth of Christian monasticism in the Egyptian desert. Stories of radical poverty, prayer, and solitary life mingle with communal monastic rules from Pachomius. Vivid tales of angels, demons, miracles, and spiritual encounters paint a world where silence and asceticism aim to sharpen hearing God.

I'm sure you have a lot of questions. What is church history? Am *I* a chump if I'm listening to this? Why didn't Thomas join John for this trailer? This trailer will answer all of that and more. Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/chumphistory