In this episode, we return to the life of Martin Luther, with a recap of where we have been in his life up to now, learn about the city of Wittenberg, and discuss Martin’s rise in the Augustinian order. Today happens to be the 500th Anniversary of the Martin’s posting of the 95 Theses in […]

Finally, the end of the survey of the Papacy! This time we look at the more notorious popes during the Renaissance.  Sixtus IV, Innocent VIII, Alexander VI, Julius II, and Leo X.  Spoiler alert for upcoming episodes: Leo will be the pope who eventually faces off with Luther. Happy Listening!!  

  On this episode we discuss the move of the Papacy to Avignon, and then the Great Papal Schism.  These seismic events will have far reaching effects on to Papacy, and the rise of the Renaissance popes. Happy Listening!

This time, we will look at some of the popes and events which shaped the papacy’s up and down status with monarchs throughout Europe.  Old friends Charles “The Hammer”, Pepin the Short, Charlemagne, Otto the Great, and Henry IV are sometimes allies and sometimes foes of popes such as Hadrian I, Stephen II, Leo III […]

In this episode, we explore how the bishop of Rome came to speak for the catholic or universal church. Along the way we meet a few popes and a couple of barbarians. Happy Listening!  

  As we approach the posting of the 95 Theses in Luther’s story, it seems like a good idea to learn about the institution of the papacy itself.  This first part details the history of the beginning of the papacy, starting with the tradition that St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome, and how we […]

This time we will delve into Martin finishing his doctorate in theology, thereby earning the title Doctor Luther. Along the way, we’ll explore the continued angst Luther claimed to have experienced which will eventually lead to other crossroads, including eventually a breakthrough of theological thought. The more we discover about Martin, the more we see the […]

Martin Luther takes a road trip to Rome, the Eternal City. He goes with high hopes, and leaves with a dose of realism.  Along the way, we discuss the legendary history of the founding of Rome by Romulus, the forgiveness of sins through indulgences, and climbing the true highway to heaven, the Scala Sancta. Happy Listening!

Merry Christmas & Happy 2017! In this special episode, we look at the history of why the birth of Jesus is celebrated in late December, the pagan holidays it usurped, and excerpts from two of Martin Luther’s Christmas sermons. Happy Listening!      

Meanwhile, Back in Erfurt… In this episode we are pivoting from Augustine, back to Martin Luther. There is a bit more history about the Augustinians in Erfurt, and then inner conflict in the Augustinian Order between the observant and conventual friars.  We are introduced to Martin’s mentor, Johannes von Staupitz, as Luther begins his studies on the […]

Happy 499th Anniversary of the Reformation!   On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian Friar and professor at the University of Wittenberg, allegedly nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church in Wittenberg.  Originally, Luther was attempting to challenge some practices of the Church, within the Church.  The responses by the Catholic hierarchy, however, […]

Saints & Sinners: This time, we mop things up relative to Augustine, delving into his two major rhetorical and actual fights with the Donatists and the Pelagians. Augustine explores free will, predestination, and the nature of sin.  We then pivot to monastic life, and a brief history of the Augustinian Order.  Along the way there […]