Our Church Speaks

Dan and Ben welcome special guest Dr. Lanta Davis to discuss the role Christian art has played in Christian spiritual formation and our need for truthful Christian images and beauty in our modern world. Cover art by Ben Lansing .  More information about Dr. Davis' book, "Becoming by Beholding" can be found at her website www.lantadavis.com // More information about Our Church Speaks and the O...

Hosts Ben and Dan talk about the inspiring witness of Polycarp of Smyrna, who studied at the feet of John of the Apostle. Their conversation covers the significance and content of Polycarp's epistle to the Philippians and his profound confidence in Christ exhibited at his martyrdom. // Cover art by Ben Lansing .  More info about Our Church Speaks and how to order the Our Church Spea...

Ben Lansing and D.J. Marotta are back with Season 2 of the "Our Church Speaks" podcast. To kick off the season, Ben and Dad talk about what the church calendar is and why it is relevant to Christians today. In part two of this conversation, Ben and Dan discuss Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Ordinary Time. // Cover art by Ben Lansing .  More info about Our Church Speaks and how to order the Our...

Ben Lansing and D.J. Marotta are back with Season 2 of the "Our Church Speaks" podcast. To kick off the season, Ben and Dan talk about what the church calendar is and why it is relevant to Christians today. In part one of this conversation, Ben and Dan discuss Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. // Cover art by Ben Lansing .  More info about Our Church Speaks and how to order the Our Church Speak...

In this season finale episode, Ben and Dan discuss one additional Advent-themed saint - Nino, the Enlightener of Georgia. A contemporary of Saint Nicholas and Saint Lucy, Nino is a lesser known saint with a story of profound courage inspired by love.  Our Church Speaks will resume with season 2 in February, 2025. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cover art by Ben Lansing .  The Our Chu...

Hosts Ben and Dan discuss the Advent-themed saint, Lucy of Syracuse who lived and died during the Great Persucution of Emperor Diocletian and gave her life for her faith in Jesus Christ. Ben and Dan talk about Lucy's life and why her memory is so associated with the power of the light, even amidst growing darkness.  Cover art by Ben Lansing .  Order the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illust...

Good news: Santa is real! Hosts Ben and Dan discuss the true story of Saint Nicholas ("Santa Claus") and how his care for the poor and helpless coexisted with his passion for precise Trinitarian theology. Ben and Dan discuss Nicholas' life and times, his legacy to the church, and traditions associated with his memory. Cover art by Ben Lansing .  Order the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrat...

In this episode, Ben Lansing (Creator of Our Church Speaks) welcomes classical education teacher and podcaster Daniel Payne to discuss the life and work of celebrated Christian author C.S. Lewis. Daniel a teacher at Veritas School in Richmond, Virginia and is the host of the Lamp-post Listener, which you can learn more about at https://www.lamppostlistener.com. Cover art by Ben Lansing .  Ord...

Hosts Ben Lansing and D.J. Marotta talk about Hilda of Whitby, an inspiring 7th century saint who served as a monastic leader at a critical time in the history of the church in England. Ben and Dan trace the story of the English church to the earliest centuries of church history and reflect on the growing need for a revival of abbesses, abbots, monastic communities, and church mothers in our own d...

In this episode, hosts Ben Lansing and D.J. Marotta discuss the remarkable Russian saint, Herman of Alaska, his ministry to the subarctic Aleut people, and his significance as a Christian example of embodied, incarnational service. // A rt by Ben Lansing .  Order the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place" by Ben Lansing & D.J. Marotta (pub...

Ben and Dan explore the story of the South American Saint Martin of Porres, who overcame prejudice and hardship through a life of faith that was fed by his profound discipline of prayer. ----------- Cover art by Ben Lansing .  ORDER the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place", support this project on Patreon, get prints / calendars, and more at...

Ben and Dan's book launches this week! "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place" (published by InterVarsity Press) will be officially released October 29, 2024. You can get your copy at www.ourchurchspeaks.com. To celebrate the book's release, Ben and Dan discuss "On the Reading of Old Books," a short essay by C.S. Lewis that has inspired much of the Our C...

Ben and Dan talk about Chinese Christianity, its history from ancient times to today, and the incredible witness of three 19th century Chinese women who helped to expand the Chinese church at the cusp of a wave of modern evangelization.  ----------- ORDER the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place", support this project on Patreon, get prints /...

Ben and Dan talk about the courage of the 20th century African martyr, Janani Luwum and what it means to submit to governing authorities while living in the freedom of the Gospel. ----------- Cover art by Ben Lansing .  ORDER the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place", support this project on Patreon, get prints / calendars, and more at www.ou...

Ben and Dan chat about the Roman priest Valentine and the Eastern European missionaries Cyril and Methodius and they discuss why these three saints are often associated with each other and why their unique witness reveals what true love is. Cover art by Ben Lansing .  ORDER the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place", support this project on Pa...

Recorded the week of July 4, this episode focuses on Absalom Jones, an American revolutionary-war era minister and one of the first African Americans ordained in the United States. Ben and Dan discuss the historical context of the American revolutionary war and how it created the world in which Absalom Jones served as a minister. The conversation meditates on the purpose of freedom and the respons...

“I am definitively loved and whatever happens to me, I am awaited by this love. And so my life is good.” - Josephine Bakhita (c. 1867-1947), Monastic & Prophetic Witness   Ben and Dan talk about the profound faith of the African saint, Josephine Bakhita, and the hope and trust that she placed in Jesus Christ after a life of heartbreak and trauma. They reflect on what Jesus means when he c...

Ben and Dan talk about the introduction of Christianity in Japan in the 16th century. They specifically focus on the life of the evangelist Paul Miki, a Japanese Christian who lived and died for Christ in Japan and preached his final sermon from his own cross before an audience of his fellow Japanese citizens. ----------- Cover art by Ben Lansing .  ORDER the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illus...

Ben and Dan discuss the life and work of Thomas Aquinas, one of the Western church's most significant theologians. Once considered a "dumb ox" by his fellow students, Thomas' deep love for Christ inspired him to apply his profound intellect to contemplating and articulating the mysteries of the faith and the glory of God.   ----------- Cover art by Ben Lansing . ORDER the book "Our Churc...

"Lord, the task is impossible for me, but not for thee. Lead the way and I will follow." - Mary Slessor (1848-1915), Missionary in West Africa Ben and Dan discuss the inspiring life of Mary Slessor. Born to an impoverished family in Scotland and raised in the textile mills of the industrial revolution, Slessor was called to serve in complex and dangerous circumstances in Nigeria.  Ben and Dan...

“As a fish cannot swim without water, and as a bird cannot fly without air, so a Christian cannot advance a single step without Christ.” - Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390), Bishop and Teacher Ben Lansing and D.J. Marotta discuss the ancient theologian, Gregory of Nazianzus. Ben shares Gregory's story and Dan explains why Gregory's theology of the Trinity is profoundly relevant to Christians in...

"From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, in praise of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia!" - Hymn, "For All the Saints" Hosts Ben Lansing and D.J. Marotta introduce the podcast and their upcoming book, "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place," published by InterVarsity Press...

Our Church Speaks: A podcast of saints from every era and place. Hosts Ben Lansing and D.J. Marotta introduce themselves, their upcoming book (published by InterVarsity Press), and the overall "Our Church Speaks" project. Cover art by Ben Lansing .  ORDER the book "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place" (IVP, 2024), support this project on Patreon,...