Church History for Chumps

The year is 1144. The County of Edessa falls to the Seljuks. 
The first major blow to the Crusader States takes place, and the Latin Franks have to decide their response. 
Generations have passed since the successful first Crusade where Western Christendom accomplished one of the most stunning military victories in recorded history. It's time to see if lightning can strike twice. 
Join John and Taylor as we dive through Eugenius, Bernard, and the rumbling of thunder before the downpour of the Second Crusade. 
Also we talk about whether it's sanctified to write negative Yelp reviews. What fun! 
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Sometimes the doctrinal and cultural differences that exist within the Christian church can feel overwhelming. We want to live united within the Body of Christ, but we also want to honor truth and our own church tradition. 
How can we do it? Is it even possible?
Fear not, dear listener. Two podcasters are here to shine the light for you. 
Join Tay and John as we share about our experiences in different church settings, and how we believe the church can walk united through its differences. 
And thank you again to Isaac P. for executive producing and recommending this episode! You da best. 
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The rumblings of the Second Crusade have begun. 
But before that, we have to set the stage with one of the most influential figures, not just in rallying troops to take up the cross, but in all of medieval Christianity: Bernie of Clairvaux. 
Bernard was a man of many hats: monk, mystic, theologian, teacher, papal advisor, and even a reformer (but not the protestant kind). 
To us, Bernie is a perfect example of someone who represented a kind of intellectual piety and love for Christ that *feels so strange* in lieu of his historical context. But that's just what we think, what do YOU think??? Let us know in the comments. 
Also, serious question, can you hear Taylor's fan? If you can let us know. It's really obnoxious. He's really obnoxious, too. This is John btw. 
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Just War Theory seems to be a phrase that's thrown around a lot lately. But where does it come from? Who does it come from? And why is it still relevant today?
For this episode, John and Taylor are going to dive into the deep cuts of none other than Augustine himself. We'll explore the oft-quote passages from the Contra Faustum where this idea originated that would shape hundreds of years of Western combat. 
And if you just guessed that we're easing our way back into the Crusades, well you're right pal. 
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You know, when Taylor and John meet with our Board of Trustees every third Tuesday, we usually ask the same question: Where was the whimsy in the last episode? 
This week, we're pushing whimsy on all cylinders. We're here to share three (that's right, three!) stories of saints with one thing in common: they aren't humans. At least not in the traditional sense.
We'll share the stories of Li Ban, the venerated mermaid, Saint Guinefort, a greyhound recognized as a martyr, and the mysterious Mexican folk saint Santa Muerte. 

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