The Isms & Schisms Podcast
Demystifying theological jargon, one ism at a time. Join Dr. Aaron Chidgzey as he takes all the long and difficult words in Christian theology and weird moments in church history, and breaks them down, making them as simple and understandable as possible. And hopefully have some fun along the way!
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
The Reformation has begun and is showing no signs of slowing. Luther opened Pandora's Box and the world will never be the same again. This episode continues the dramatic story of the people who challenged the church's dogmatism in order to install their own sort of dogmatism. Hooray! Let's explore the lives of Melancthon, Zwingli, and Calvin (and also the short-lived life of Servetus), and see how Protestantism grows into a distinct expression of church.
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
40. The Protestant Reformation: On Coins, Monks, and Books
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
16th century Germany was an era of radical change and disruption. Many before had attempted to reform the church, but none were successful. Until a monk named Martin Luther came along and developed new ideas about Scripture, the clergy, the sacraments, and justification, among many other things. With the help of the late medieval's equivalent to the internet - the printing press - Luther's ideas sparked a wildfire that the papacy could not possibly hope to contain. And the world began to change. The Protestants had arrived.
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
39. Stoicism
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
The ancient Hellenistic philosophical system known as Stoicism is a profoundly practical and helpful way of doing life. I don't necessarily say that all of Stoicism is to be uncritically adopted, but it is, generally - I believe - perfectly compatible with Christianity. Indeed, it inspired much of the teachings of Christianity. This episode explores Stoicism and its similarities with Christianity.
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
39. On the Third Day According to the Scriptures
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
"For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures."
So wrote Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 15.3-4), passing on to the others the traditions about Jesus that he had himself received from others. But was Jesus actually raised on the third day? And what does he mean by "in accordance with the scriptures"? Which scriptures?
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
37. Pontius Pilate
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Who killed Jesus? Probably depends on who you ask... BUT it was almost certainly this man, the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, who had Jesus executed. But who was he? Why was he in Judea? Why do the gospels present this man as kind of a weak, pathetic coward? Is that an accurate portrayal? Listen in to this episode to hear my thoughts!
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
2024 Spotlight
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
2024 is going to be an exciting year, full of great isms and strange schisms. Such as Stylitism...
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
36. Incarnation (Christmas Special)
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
What does it mean to call Jesus Immanuel? Why does the carol call him the incarnate Deity? What does the word 'Incarnation' even mean? The incarnation is the central promise of Christmas, that God became human, embraced humanity, to serve humanity. This episode explores some of the implications of such a claim.
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/12/19/36-incarnation-christmas-special/
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
35. December 25 (Christmas Special)
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Why is Christmas celebrated on the 25th of December? The New Testament doesn't give us any clues about when Jesus was born, so why was this particular day chosen? This episode explores various theories - that Jesus was conceived on the 25th of March, that Constantine aligned the birth of Jesus with the celebration of Sol Invictus or Mithras, and more! But is it even possible to know? And should we even care?
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/12/12/35-december-25th-christmas-special/
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
34. Magi (Christmas Special)
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Magi from the east followed a star to pay homage to Jesus in Bethlehem. They gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Sometimes known as 'Wise Men' or 'Kings', these enigmatic characters are iconic in the narrative of Jesus' birth. But who were they? How many were there? How - and why - did they follow a star? What was up with those gifts? In this episode we'll explore the significance of these Zoroastrian astronomers and why they were part of the story.
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/12/05/34-magi-christmas-special/
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
33. Advent (Christmas Special)
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Merry Christmas! It's that magical time of year and all I want for Christmas is...theology. Starting with this episode on Advent, we're exploring four different themes related to Christmas to get you in that festive mood. We begin by examining that four week (or is it 40 day) period leading up to Christmas marked by wreaths and calendars and carols and visits to Santa at the shopping centre known as 'Advent'. Let's get ready to celebrate the arrival of Jesus of Nazareth.
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/11/28/33-advent-christmas-special