Light Through the Past

In this episode Dr. Jenkins continues our look at the history of the persecution of the Church in the second century, but this time with the attacks on the faith that came from pagan writers, namely the Satirist Lucian, and Lucian’s friend, Celsus. The texts alluded to in this episode can all be found under the notes for it at https://luxchristi.wordpress.com/

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins continues our look at the history of the persecution of the Church in the second century, and how the situation for the church in the 170s in the empire, even though ruled by the Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, deteriorated. The texts alluded to in this episode can all be found under the notes for it at https://luxchristi.wordpress.com/

In this episode Dr. Jenkins begins looking at the persecution of the Church in the second century, how the situation for the church changed from one of relative peace at the century’s beginning, and what brought this change about. The texts alluded to in this episode can all be found under the notes for it at https://luxchristi.wordpress.com/

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins begins looking at the question of martyrdom, what it was, how the early Church thought about it, and begins thinking about how, why, and the ways the early Christians were persecuted. Shownotes at luxchristi.wordpress.com

Due to a question from one of our listeners, we return this week to look again at Simon Magus and the place he has in history as the prototypical heretic and suppliant of demons. Shownotes at luxchristi.wordpress.com

Dr. Jenkins dives into the murky and fraught waters of the question of the relationship of Greek thought and the early Church, discussing the history of the question, why it's important, and gives some thoughts on how we should think about it. Shownotes at luxchristi.wordpress.com

This week Dr. Jenkins looks at the first notable teacher in Alexandria about whom we have any real information, Clement of Alexandria. There is much to learn here from someone who is generally overshadowed by his much greater pupil, Origen.

This week Dr. Jenkins looks at the great ancient metropolis of Alexandria, the home of many people important to our Faith, such as Clement, Origen, St. Alexander of Alexandria, St. Antony the Great, St. Athanasius, St. Cyril of Alexandria, inter alios. Dr. Jenkins discusses why Alexandria was important to the ancient world, and why this city’s culture and history were vital to the formation of our...

After reviewing what has been covered as regards the Chruch's Apostolic ministry and its origin, Dr. Jenkins looks at one of the early challenges to the Church's sacramental ministry in the Phrygian schismatic group, the Montanists. Texts and notes are on my blog.

This week Dr. Jenkins examines the establishment of the Church's Apostolic succession as one tied to its Eucharistic ministry, a ministry rooted in the Old Testament, but given it by Divine appointment from Christ, and through His Apostles. Authors cited include Saints Hippolytus, Clement of Rome, and Ignatios of Antioch. Texts and notes are on my blog.

Picking up from Episode 13, and after a brief review, Dr. Jenkins looks specifically at what St. Irenaeus says in Book III of Against Heresies concerning the office of the Bishop, what this office entails, why it is important, and its link to the Apostles, and thus to Christ. The passage read from St. Irenaeus, plus other information for Episode 14 can be found on my blog.

This week we pick up again with Sts. Irenaeus and Hegesippus in the context of the emergence of the Episcopal office and its link to the Gift of the Apostolic ministry. Dr. Jenkins first discusses Apostolic succession, what it is, and what is its importance before turning to the history of the Episcopal office and its function in the first decades of the life of the Church. Books, links, and more...

Today Dr. Jenkins replies to two questions sent his way, and both related to the discussion of St. Irenaeus. For more information on our questions, and books mentioned in this episode, you can jump to https://luxchristi.wordpress.com/2022/04/28/two-questions-along-the-way-to-st-irenaeus-and-bishops/.

In this episode, Prof. Jenkins leads us through St. Irenaeus on the Eucharist, and how our participation in the Holy Elements brings us the vivifying life of Christ. You can see the readings covered in this episode at https://luxchristi.wordpress.com/2022/04/05/st-irenaeus-third-readings/

Having examined St. Irenaeus' teaching on creation in the last episode, today we continue our investigation by looking at the great saint's doctrine of redemption. Dr. Jenkins explores how for St. Irenaeus the Creator is also the Redeemer who recapitulates in himself the whole of the divine drama of the Old Testament, from Paradise through His Virgin birth to His death of the Tree.

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins looks at St. Irenaeus on the centrality of the Incarnation in his doctrine of creation. The great saint's teaching not only refutes the Gnostic doctrines about the cosmos being a mistake but shows that the relationship of the Incarnation to the creation of the world also establishes the parameters for the doctrine of redemption.

This week Dr. Jenkins continues his discussion of the Gnostics, looking at four of its main proponents, Basilides, Valentinus, the Sethians, and then the outlier of Marcion. You can see notes and add your own questions to Dr. Jenkins at https://luxchristi.wordpress.com/

This week Dr. Jenkins looks, in broad outline, at the strange structure and obscure origins of the Gnostics, some of the questions that concern their origins, and how this will relate to St. Irenaeus and his great efforts in both the refutation of their teachings and the positive teachings of the Church that arise in his theology. You can see notes and add your own questions to Dr. Jenkins at http...

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins gives a brief introduction to St. Irenaeus and the predominance, despite would some contemporary scholars may assert, of a unified Orthodoxy in the early Church when combatting gnostic heresies.

Today we discuss the thought and importance of St. Justin Martyr, or St. Justin the Philosopher. St. Justin forms an important bridge between the earliest Apostolic Fathers and the late second- and early third-century Fathers of the Church.

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins introduces us to St. Ignatius of Antioch and his early, clear teachings on the episcopacy and the Eucharist which are rooted in the Incarnation.

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins gives a lesson on three gnostic groups from the first century with which the Church had to grapple.

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins opens with a little history about history itself. He then moves on to set the backdrop of second-century Rome as the Church begins to emerge.

Dr. Cyril Jenkins introduces his new podcast and explains the importance of history to the Christian faith.