It is January 12, 1519, and Holy Roman Emperor, Maximillian I has died. The Luther question is put on the back burner while the powers that be jockey for position to select a new emperor. Before we delve into the selection and election of a n

Episode 36: Should I Stay or Should I Go

May 31st, 2021 29m 14s

Frederick The Wise, Elector Of Saxony (1524) by Albrecht Durer After the blow-up in Augsburg and Luther’s refusal to recant, and his subsequent escape, Cardinal Cajetan and Pope Leo X are demanding Luther be sent to Rome. Frederick the Wise ha

Episode 35: The Dark Earth

Apr 26th, 2021 44m 7s

The Arrival of Philipp Melanchthon Enter stage left a new character at the dawn of the Reformation: the new professor of Greek at the University in Wittenberg: Philipp Schwartzerdt aka Philipp Melanchthon.

Episode 34 An Augsburg Appointment

Feb 28th, 2021 36m 14s

On this episode, Martin Luther is “invited” to a special meeting in Augsburg in October of 1518 with Cardinal Cajetan. Can you say, recant?

Episode 33: What the Eck?

Jan 1st, 2021 33m 55s

We pick up the story after the Heidelberg Disputation, and discuss the relationship between Martin Luther and Johannes Eck, and Eck’s criticism of the 95 Theses. Cardinal Cajetan enters the narrative, as we set the scene for Luther’s upcoming

Episode 32: A Year Like No Other

Nov 15th, 2020 38m 23s

Wow: Finally a new episode! In this episode, we explore Martin Luther’s Sermon on Indulgences and Grace and the Heidelberg Disputation. Happy Listening!

Episode 31: Reading, Writing & Heretics!

Jan 28th, 2020 37m 40s

This is a rather eclectic episode, digging into literacy and communication methods in the late Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation. The move from Latin to writing in the vernacular. We’ll also discuss the tortured history of heretics, es

Episode 30: The Empire Strikes Back…Well, Kind’a Pushes Back

Nov 24th, 2019 27m 22s

Leo X, Archbishop of Mainz and Johann Tetzel respond to the 95 Theses

Episode 29: The Postman Always Rings Thrice? The 95 Theses Hits the Road

Aug 20th, 2019 27m 43s

Based on where we are in the story of Martin Luther, this is essentially the beginning of “Book II” in the telling of The Life nd Times of Martin Luther. In this episode we meet three friends of Martin Luther: Johannes Lang, Georg Spalatin an

Episode 28: If I had a Hammer: The Posting of the 95 Theses

Mar 31st, 2019 26m 33s

Luther posts the 95 Theses! In the program up to date, we have delved into Martin Luther’s life up to now. We have looked at the history of the Holy Roman Empire, and also a history of the Papacy; each of those topics until this moment on Octo

Episode 27: The Indulgence Game

May 10th, 2018 31m 24s

Albrecht of Brandeburg Leo X Jakob Fugger In Episode 27, we look at the penance process, the role […]

Episode 26: Breakthrough!

Jan 22nd, 2018 29m 21s

Cloaca Tower at the Wittenberg Monastery No Way! Way! Finally, a New Episode! My apologies that it has been too long between episodes. I explain a bit in the preface to the show. With 1517 looming, we start to get more first person and c

Episode 25: The Augustinian Administrator

Oct 31st, 2017 25m 44s

In this episode, we return to the life of Martin Luther, with a recap of where we have been in his life up to now, learn about the city of Wittenberg, and discuss Martin’s rise in the Augustinian order. Today happens to be the 500th Anniversary

Episode 24: Papa Don’t Preach; The History of the Papacy Part 5

Oct 4th, 2017 41m 54s

Finally, the end of the survey of the Papacy! This time we look at the more notorious popes during the Renaissance. Sixtus IV, Innocent VIII, Alexander VI, Julius II, and Leo X. Spoiler alert for upcoming episodes: Leo will be the pope who ev

Episode 23 Papa was a Rolling Stone, The History of the Papacy Part 4

Sep 30th, 2017 38m 22s

On this episode we discuss the move of the Papacy to Avignon, and then the Great Papal Schism. These seismic events will have far reaching effects on to Papacy, and the rise of the Renaissance popes. Happy Listening!

Episode 22: The Monarchs and The Papas; the History of the Papacy Part 3

Aug 9th, 2017 31m 17s

This time, we will look at some of the popes and events which shaped the papacy’s up and down status with monarchs throughout Europe. Old friends Charles “The Hammer”, Pepin the Short, Charlemagne, Otto the Great, and Henry IV are sometimes al

Episode 21: Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag- The History of the Papacy Part 2

Jun 29th, 2017 35m 3s

In this episode, we explore how the bishop of Rome came to speak for the catholic or universal church. Along the way we meet a few popes and a couple of barbarians. Happy Listening!

Episode 20: Oh My Papa…The History of the Papacy Part 1

May 15th, 2017 37m 54s

As we approach the posting of the 95 Theses in Luther’s story, it seems like a good idea to learn about the institution of the papacy itself. This first part details the history of the beginning of the papacy, starting with the tradition tha

Episode 19: What’s Up Doc?

Mar 30th, 2017 26m 5s

This time we will delve into Martin finishing his doctorate in theology, thereby earning the title Doctor Luther. Along the way, we’ll explore the continued angst Luther claimed to have experienced which will eventually lead to other crossroads

Episode 18: Next Stop—-The Eternal City

Feb 4th, 2017 28m 25s

Martin Luther takes a road trip to Rome, the Eternal City. He goes with high hopes, and leaves with a dose of realism. Along the way, we discuss the legendary history of the founding of Rome by Romulus, the forgiveness of sins through indulgen

Episode 17: The Life and Times Christmas & New Year’s Edition

Dec 31st, 2016 17m 37s

Merry Christmas & Happy 2017! In this special episode, we look at the history of why the birth of Jesus is celebrated in late December, the pagan holidays it usurped, and excerpts from two of Martin Luther’s Christmas sermons. Happy Listening!

Episode 16: Meanwhile, Back in Erfurt…

Nov 27th, 2016 26m 20s

Meanwhile, Back in Erfurt… In this episode we are pivoting from Augustine, back to Martin Luther. There is a bit more history about the Augustinians in Erfurt, and then inner conflict in the Augustinian Order between the observant and conventua

Special Announcement! Happy Reformation and Exciting News about the Program

Nov 1st, 2016 4m 11s

Happy 499th Anniversary of the Reformation! On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian Friar and professor at the University of Wittenberg, allegedly nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Originally, Luther was att

Episode 15: Saints and Sinners: Augustine, the Wrap-up

Oct 31st, 2016 31m 5s

Saints & Sinners: This time, we mop things up relative to Augustine, delving into his two major rhetorical and actual fights with the Donatists and the Pelagians. Augustine explores free will, predestination, and the nature of sin. We then piv

Episode 14: Barbarians at the Gates-Augustine of Hippo Part 3

Sep 16th, 2016 33m 35s

Augustine goes from conversion to baptism as a Christian. Shortly after he and Monica share the spiritual “Vision at Ostia”, Monica died. After arrival in North Africa, tragedy strikes again as Augustine’s only son died. After his mother and