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
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
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
32. Infallibilism
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Does the Bible contain errors? Can it contain errors? Or is it entirely infallible or inerrant? Is it a divine book? Or a human book? What does it really mean to say that the Bible is inspired? Is it authoritative or normative for Christian theology? Listen to this episode on infallibilism to learn more!
Shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/11/21/32-infallibilism/
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
31. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
1930's Germany was a scary place. For everyone, but especially those with Jewish ancestry. Unfortunately, most German churches capitulated to Nazi ideology as Hitler installed a Reich Bishop and implemented the Aryan Paragraph. Some stood up to what was perceived as anti-Christian church practice, and paid the ultimate price for their bravery. One such person was the pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/11/14/31-dietrich-bonhoeffer/
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
30. The Crusades: Over the Hills and Far Away
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Following the disastrous People's Crusade, led by Peter the Hermit, the great armies of Europe converged upon the ancient eastern capitol of Constantinople, full of pious energy and hopeful devotion. They got off to a good start, but it very quickly devolved into a mess of debauchery, cannibalism, and violence. Will they make it to Jerusalem?
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/11/07/30-the-crusades-over-the-hills-and-far-away/
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
29. The Crusades: God Wills It!
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
The 11th century witnessed one of the most infamous events in human history: the first crusade. Not that they knew it would be the first crusade at that point. In this episode, we'll explore the political, cultural, theological climate that led to the call to crusade, and we'll meet our first crusader: Peter the Hermit.
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/10/31/29-the-crusades-god-wills-it/
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
28. Feminism
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Feminist theology and biblical scholarship is looking at questions about God and reading Scripture through the lens of a woman's perspective, particularly with an eye toward the historic and still ongoing oppression, suppression, and even abuse, of women. These perspectives and theological contributions that come as a result are significant, important, and really interesting. Despite sometimes being confronting and challenging. Jesus fought for the downtrodden; if we are to be Christian (i.e. be like Christ), then we should do the same.
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/10/24/28-feminism/
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
27. Egalitarianism
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Egalitarianism is the idea that roles within church, marriage, society are not dictated by gender. I.e. women can be pastors too. As well as all the other things. This episode makes a case for Egalitarianism, challenging the interpretations of certain verses that are usually used to support Complementarianism.
Full shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/10/17/27-egalitarianism/
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
26. Complementarianism
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
What "role" does a woman have in society? In churches? In families? Should they stay home and manage the household, or can they take on positions of leadership and authority? Can they preach and be pastors? Complementarianism posits that men and women have different roles, determined by gender that function in a complementary fashion to display the image of God.
Shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/10/10/26-complementarianism/
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
25. Wesley & Methodism
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
John Wesley was a man of methodical discipline, who sought purity and holiness, wanted the best for the world and his fellow humans. He travelled far and preached regularly, fought for abolitionism, and debated vigorously over major theological concerns. He was a fascinating character who founded Methodism and from who we can learn a lot.
Shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/10/03/25-wesley-methodism
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
24. The English Reformation: Mary & Elizabeth
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
In this fourth and final episode on the English Reformation, there is blood, there is war, and there is much theological debate. Mary is queen and her reign is...intense. But Elizabeth followed and brings the change that would shape the church in the English speaking world.
Shownotes available: https://akchidgzey.com/2023/09/26/24-the-english-reformation-mary-elizabeth/