Two of your professors, Dr. Brian Doak and Dr. Leah Payne, welcome you to the THEO 101-102 course experience! This was originally created as a video, and can be viewed on YouTube here if desired. In this podcast, we talk about three things: (1) What is this course, how does it work, and what will we do? (2) Basic college things—how to communicate with professors, being on time, and other basics. (3) Frequently asked questions about the course. Feel free to consult our Syllabus!!
This week, Dr. Doak & Dr. Payne explore how early Christians wrestled with who they were when they were expelled from Jerusalem, and they tackle the question: should churches be just like they were in the New Testament? Or, should they adapt to the times? Listen in and then share your thoughts with your discussion group!
What happens when the early church is forced out of Jerusalem and scattered across the world? How do they survive? And how do they remain faithful when put to the test of persecution? Dr. Doak and Dr. Payne talk about what life was like for the earliest Christians.
Was Constantine a hero or a villain? Did he help Christianity flourish or did he set the church on a course of corruption? Dr. Payne & Dr. Doak try to convince one another in this week’s smackdown!
It was one thing to be faithful under persecution - what happens when Christians gain legal rights, social power, and wealth? Dr. Doak & Dr. Payne explore the challenges facing Christians when their religion becomes the religion of empire in the 4th century.
This week, Dr. Doak & Dr. Payne tackle the question: do Christians need creeds, those handy distillations of Christian teaching and theology? Do they help Christians or are they out of date? Listen in and make your case on Flipgrid!
This week, Drs. Payne & Doak talk about the development of Christian creeds, councils, and how Christians decide what they are and what they are not. Then, we read the sermon of a famous ancient preacher with a reputation for solid-gold preaching!
Would you be a monk or a nun? Dr. Doak and Dr. Payne explore whether or not monastic life is for them - and this week, we are inviting you to think about it too!
Is there a rule that orders your life? What is it like to embrace monastic life? What did monasteries and convents preserve over time? These questions and more guide the Need to Know More podcast this week!
Do physical objects have spiritual power? Dr. Doak and Dr. Payne debate whether or not things like relics have power from God. Listen in and share your thoughts in this week’s discussion!
What caused the Great Schism of 1054? Was it one big thing or a thousand small issues that finally made Christians break communion with one another? And what sorts of theology was being created in the Middle Ages? These questions and more on this week’s NEED TO KNOW MORE!
Should priests/pastors be celibate? Dr. Doak and Dr. Payne debate - and you might be surprised at what the REALLY believe!!
Here it is: What comes first? Christian belief or action? Dr. Payne and Dr. Doak consider a classic "chick or egg" Christian conversation this week. Weigh in with your thoughts this week!
Welcome to the modern world! Dr. Doak and Dr. Payne talk about how the world was changing in the early modern era, the cantankerous and unforgettable Martin Luther, and they even trade a few classic Lutheran insults!
What happens when reform spreads? How do you know when you’ve reformed enough? This week, Dr. Payne and Dr. Doak tackle some of the critical questions facing early modern Christians & the founding of the Church of England.
How should a believer relate to the wider world? Should they follow the example of the magisterial traditions or the radicals? Dr. Payne and Dr. Doak debate it here and then we want to hear from you in the discussion. Would you be a radical or magisterial?
How did Roman Catholics respond to the modern world? Dr. Doak and Dr. Payne talk about Catholic renewal in the modern age and read a timeless poem & prayer from St. Teresa of Avila!
Should TikTok evangelists be a thing? Do media innovators trivialize the gospel? Or, are they moving the church into the 21st century? Dr. Doak and Dr. Payne debate whether or not TikTok preaching helps or hurts the Christian movement.
How can Christians remain faithful to God in the industrial era? What does it mean to be truly holy like God is holy? Dr. Payne and Dr. Doak talk about how John and Charles Wesley and the Methodists answered those questions and more!
Charles Wesley was one of the great hymn writers of the Christian tradition. What is the right way that Christians should worship through music? Keep it traditional or get with the times? Dr. Doak and Dr. Payne debate and we want to hear from you!