This minisode features a sample of text written in the early 5th century by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, in north Africa. The text which is read is from Book 19 Chapter 20 of “The City of God.”
In this rather massive book, written after the Visigoths sacked Rome in 410 A.D., Augustine makes the case that the abandonment of the old Roman gods did not lead to this crisis. Rather, Augustine contrasts the City of Man (Earthly ways of conducting life) with the City of God (Heavenly ways of conducting life).
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Episode 86 centers on a discussion of a very gifted man from the late 17th and early-to-mid 18th century. Known as the Father of English Hymnody, Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was a gifted hymn-writer, pastor, theologian, logician and philosopher. His influence remains to this day. He was the author of 500-750 hymns, perhaps, the best-known of which is the Christmas hymn “Joy To the World.”
This minisode features the reading of an excerpt from the 17th century devotional “Looking Unto Jesus” by Isaac Ambrose. This book was, for several centuries, considered a devotional classic among English-speaking followers of Christ. The excerpt begins to explore the importance of the Ascension of Christ and what He is doing right now, being seated (“the session of Christ”) at the right hand of God the Father.
Episode 85 centers on a discussion of the life and written legacy (in diary entries and letters) of the 18th century American diarist Susanna Anthony.
In this minisode, excerpts are read from Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s 1882 sermon based on Psalm 119:117 entitled “My Hourly Prayer”.