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
Were you destined to listen to this episode? Were you chosen to be saved? Are you even capable at all of responding to God's grace in any way other than negatively? Listen to this episode to find out! This episode on Calvinism is all about John Calvin's theology, but predestination in particular - even though Calvin may not actually have been a Calvinist. We unpack Five Point Calvinism, which is neatly summarised in the acronym TUL...
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 distinc...
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 c...
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.
"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 o...
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!
2024 is going to be an exciting year, full of great isms and strange schisms. Such as Stylitism...
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/
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?
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 w...
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 cel...
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/
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://akc...
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-hill...
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/
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. Jes...
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/
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-complementar...
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
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/
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