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“Centrally Speaking” is a podcast from the Central Schwenkfelder Church and speaks about issues that would be of interest to our society. In particular it addresses how a Christian worldview intersects with western secular culture. In the spirit of the church's founder, we take the perspective of "the Middle Way," which is in agreement with the historic Christian church.
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Abuse happens in many places throughout our society. Does God have a word for those who are feeling manipulated? In her upcoming book, That God is For Me: A Study of God’s Heart Through the Stories of Women in Scripture, Lisa Radcliff points to several stories in the Bible that display his heart for those who have been misused. Lisa Radcliff is an award-winning author, speaker, and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. (website: https://lisajradcliff.com/). Lisa and her husband, Doug, ...
How were the ancient writings that compose our Bible translated into our current English Bibles? In this podcast, we ask Dr. Scott Hafemann who was a part of the translation committee for the New International Version translation of the Bible about this process. In his answers, he speaks about the earliest English translations, the King James Version, and the New International Version. His answers also share about his experience serving on a translation committee. Scott Hafemann was formerly ...
The events surrounding the death of Jesus on Good Friday are truly tragic. As Christians remember it, was it completely out of control? Was Jesus just in the wrong place at the wrong time? What difference would it make if there was some divine plan behind it? In this podcast we interview David McKinley, Senior Minister at Central Schwenkfelder Church about this topic. #deathofJesus #sovereigntyofGodcrucifixion #prophecyMessiahdeath #crucifixionJesus #GoodFriday #Pass...
How did the church globally make some of its decisions? One of the most important decisions took place in AD 325 in modern day Turkey at the Council of Nicaea. Representatives from all over the Roman Empire came to this council. Eventually, decisions made there led to the Nicene Creed, which many say before taking communion (the Eucharist). On the 1700th anniversary of this important date in church history, we ask Dr. Donald Fairbairn about this council. He is the Robert E. Cooley...
How do we connect with youth today? What are the characteristics of what some people call Generation Z? Dr. Dave Coryell has been answering this question through Christian Endeavor for over 18 years. In the past 8 years, he has been the Director of Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor (website: https://www.ceworks.faith/) and also serves with Christian Endeavor World (https://www.christianendeavor.com/). He is also an adjunct youth ministry professor at Lancaster Bible College. He and his wi...
During the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, American news was running many stories about the news. In recent months, however, the mainstream news is sharing much less. In this podcast, we interview Ken Sears, missionary from European Christian Mission North America Inc. (website: https://www.ecmna.org/). He shares the latest news from the city of Zaporizhzhya, which is just 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the front line. His news includes what takes place during air attacks and their frequen...
How can we have a more spiritual Christmas? While many are focused on gift giving and parties, Christmas is so much more than this. It has spiritual origins. People like Mary and Joseph had distinct spiritual practices. How can we recover these? In this podcast, we interview Rev. Dr. David McKinley, Senior Minister at Central Schwenkfelder Church, about spiritual experiences that will lead to a faith filled Christmas and keep Christ in Christmas. #spiritualityChristmas #spiritual...
Prayer is an indispensable part of Christian experience. As the world has modernized, deeper and richer spiritual experiences have dissipated. Some Christian communities have been known for their devotion to prayer. One of these is the Schwenkfelder Church. In this podcast, Rev. Dr. David McKinley, Senior Minister of Central Schwenkfelder Church, interviews Rev. Dr. Drake Williams, Minister of Mission and Theology at the church. The interview contains discussion about Caspar Schwenckfeld's wr...
Why are some conversions to Christianity so dramatic while others seem more ordinary? Rev. Dr. Luminița Nichols knows both types well from her experience growing up in Romania and facing persecution during Communist times, and then serving as a minister in Lancaster, PA in the United States. Her book recounts her conversion experience and her journey. It is entitled, From Pain to Purpose: A Young Woman's Journey from a Communist Prison to an American Pulpit is published by Wipf & Stock in...
The small Schwenkfelder denomination began in Silesia, Germany during the Reformation. It was particularly born out of the controversies about the Eucharist. In this podcast, we ask author Rev. Dr. Martha Kriebel about her thesis entitled Schwenkfelders and the Sacraments that she wrote in 1965 for her Master of Sacred Theology Degree that she did at Lutheran Seminary. The thesis was published in 1968. Now after over 65 years of ordained ministry experience, she provides this reflection on he...
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is a viewpoint promoted by American universities that has had substantial influence. This perspective encourages greater access to university resources for those who have been restricted. It is also used for increasing social justice in society. It is becoming increasingly criticized, however. In this podcast, we ask Dr. Patrick Casey about DEI and its future. Dr. Casey is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Holy Family University in Philadelphia...
Christianity and Islam are two of the major religions in our world. How do Muslims practice their faith? How do Christians practice the faith? Are they alike? How are they different? In this podcast we ask Dr. Andrew Brunson about his time that he spent living in Turkey and then when he was imprisoned and living with Muslims. Dr. Brunson is also the author of God's Hostage: A Story of Persecution, Imprisonment, and Perseverance. #islamchristianity #Islamspirituality #Islamdevot...
Central Schwenkfelder Church has been a noted edifice in the Lansdale/Worcester, Pennsylvania community since 1951. It was originally formed by merging two smaller meeting houses in the area - Towamencin and Worcester. The building in 1951 presented a particular expression of the Christian faith and was attractive to many in the community. Now for over a year, the building has been renovated, presenting a fresh means for the church to present its vision of the Christian faith and to interact ...
Christian communities frequently produce art that represent their common life and values. The Schwenkfelders as well as other German based Christian groups created a distinct piece of artwork called fraktur. These paintings reveal valuable themes that were important. In this podcast we speak with Candace Perry, the curator of collections at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center about this important artwork. She has served at the Library and Heritage Center for over 25 years, has...
In the 21st-century in the West, identity is everything. It seems that it has never been more important to know who you are and be true to yourself. In this podcast, author and scholar Dr. Brian Rosner shares why looking inside is not the right answer. Instead, he suggests that looking outside of oneself to relationships, life stories, and upward to God is much more profitable. He shares from his own personal experience and his studies. Dr. Brian Rosner is the Principal of Ridley Colleg...
Antisemitism has risen to a top news story following the October 7, 2024 Hamas-led attack on Israel which killed 1200 people and led to 240 hostages. Since then, accusations of antisemitism have been circulating in the media, demonstrations in support of Hamas have taken place in cities and on university campuses, and hearings with university presidents have taken place before Congress. In this podcast, we ask H Randall Morgan, Jr. who has lived in Afghan villages, visited Israel and i...
Christmas is a greatly anticipated holiday in America each year, but now some cannot think about it unless there are extravagant gifts. In this podcast, we interview Rev. Dr. David McKinley, Senior Minister of Central Schwenkfelder Church, about the origins of the Christmas holiday, the excesses of the holiday, how some wanted to ban it, and then some of its best aspects. We then ask him how we might be able to have a more family and Christ centered Christmas this year. #familyCh...
What is taking place in Ukraine from the perspective of Christian workers who are working in the region? Much of the world's attention has been on the conflict between Israel and Hamas on the Gaza strip. With much of mainstream news focused on the Middle East and elsewhere, we interviewed Dirk Smith, the Vice-President of Eastern European Mission. He provides some of the latest testimonies of what is taking place in Ukraine in this podcast. #ukraineconflict #ukrainemission #russi...
On October 7, 2023, Hamas initiated a deadly surprise attack on Israel. Thousands of armed Hamas men tore down the fence at the border between Gaza and the Israeli border and then killed and captured many. Simultaneously, Hamas fired thousands of rockets at Israel. While Israel has received small scale attacks, this one was like no other. Now, the world is watching what will happen next. In this podcast, we interview Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship and someone who has t...
Does God send angels to protect us and guide us? What might they look like? Does the Bible say anything about this? Should someone pray to a guardian angel? These are all popular questions in society but there are many opinions. In this podcast, we interview Rev. Roger Wambold, who is the Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship and has been a pastor for 17 years. He has been thinking about this issue for much of his life. He is currently one of the teachers of the Potpourri Sunday Schoo...
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