Church History Archives

IP#302 Mike Aquilina – The World of Ben Hur on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

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Thank you Mike Aquilina for complying an incredible book which explores “The World of Ben Hur”! One of the most popular Christian novels of all-time, “Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ” was penned by Lew Wallace and has served as the basis for plays, television productions, and several film adaptations for over 100 years. The 1959 production starring Charlton Heston still holds up as one of the finest cinematic masterpieces of all time! Mike not only covers the background of the book, the compelling conversion of its author, and it’s place in our cultural experience, but he also offers us the historical facts of the era and the Christian experience. As always, Mike’s writing is compelling, thoughtful and inspiring. A fantastic addition to the Mike Aquilina library of books!

You can find the book here

From the book description:

As you strip away centuries of accumulated tradition and look at Jesus of Nazareth with fresh eyes, you’ll also share with Ben-Hur the exciting, confusing, and life-changing experience of meeting Jesus for the first time. Armed with new wisdom and keen insights into the fascinating history of the Roman Empire, you’ll never watch Ben-Hur the same way again.

“Mike Aquilina has done a masterful job placing us in the life and times of Judah Ben-Hur and Jesus Christ. This is a must-read for any fan of Ben-Hur.”
Scott Hahn

IP#302 Mike Aquilina – The World of Ben Hur on Inside the Pages from Discerning Hearts on Vimeo.

RC#1 – History, with Arms Upraised – The Resilient Church w/ Mike Aquilina

Episode 1 – History, with Arms Upraised

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The Resilient Church with Mike Aquilina, offers a fascinating look at the trials and triumphs of the Catholic Church over the past two thousand years. Fast-paced sketches of critical periods in church history give readers perspective on the challenges faced by the church today. Mike Aquilina does not shrink from the realities of the past, including badly behaved leaders and those who betrayed the Lord. Yet he also leaves us all with well-founded hope for the future: God remains faithful in every circumstance and fulfills his promise to remain with his church always.

Pick up a copy of Mike’s book.

Also visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information!

IP#275 Dr. Austen Ivereigh – The Great Reformer on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

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“The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope” by Austen Ivereigh is a must read!

Shared from a unique vantage point, the insights Dr. Ivereigh provides are incredibly important for our times. He has an engaging writing style that offers vivid historical clarity to the issues and challenges which surround the pontificate of Pope Francis. In this book he beautifully places into context Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s upbringing, the events taking place in Latin America, his formation in Jesuit spirituality, and the Church’s life on the world stage. When we can appreciate the Holy Father as operating from the role he is most comfortable with, that of a master spiritual director and one who seeks to “discern” God’s will in the classic sense, then many of the “reforms” and the actions surrounding their implementation, make sense. A fascinating conversation and an outstanding book. Don’t miss!

You can find the book here

“Ivereigh has written the best available chronicle of the formative events in the life and thinking of Jorge Mario Bergoglio and demonstrates how his call for a ‘Church in permanent mission’ extends and deepens the ‘New Evangelization’ proclaimed by St. John Paul II.”—George Weigel, author of Evangelical Catholicism”

“Well written, full of information; this is the best biography of Pope Francis to date.”—Thomas Reese, Senior Analyst, National Catholic Reporter and author of Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church

“Probing, comprehensive, eminently readable and absorbing . . . In a growing list of books on the first Latin American pope, Ivereigh’s is uniquely well informed and persuasive.”—Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia

IP#277 Steve Weidenkopf – The Glory of the Crusades on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

How can the Crusades be considered “glorious”? That was the first question that popped up in my mind when I saw “The Glory of the Crusades” come across my desk. As I found myself caught up in the history unfolding inside the pages of this incredible book, I found that author Steve Weidenkopf approached this subject in an incredibly balanced, engaging and thoughtful way. By far one of the best books I have ever read on the subject. Steve is a lecturer of Church History at the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College and the creator and author of Epic: A Journey through Church History, an adult faith-formation program on the 2,000-year history of the Church. Meticulous researched (just check out the end notes), with little hint of any political agenda, Steve lets history stand on its own solid clear footing. Thank you Catholic Answers for this outstanding book!

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You can find the book here

The Glory of the Crusades is valuable not only as history but also as a scholarly debunking of centuries of Protestant and Enlightenment distortion of the facts about the West s struggles against militant Islam. –Rev. C. John McCloskey Research fellow, Faith and Reason Institute

This excellent book employs decades of scholarly research to show average readers what medieval historians have long known that popular culture s image of the Crusades has nothing at all to do with the events themselves. Catholics who cringe at the mention of the Crusades will find in this work a surprising and inspiring story of faith. –Thomas F. Madden Director, Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Saint Louis University

IP#276 Dr. Alan Schreck – St. Francis and Pope Francis on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

In “St. Francis and Pope Francis: Prayer, Poverty, and Joy in Jesus” Dr. Alan Schreck provides wonderful insights on the connections between Pope Francis and St. Francis. Much has been written about the “Jesuit” nature of the pontificate of Pope Francis, but not as much about the “Evangelical” spirit which unites the hearts of the Francis who lived 900 years ago and the pontiff who claimed his name. Dr. Schreck is an engaging writer, who is capable of not only sharing relevant history of the past, but is gifted in making it come alive and meaningful for our lives today. A fascinating work!

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You can find the book here

From the book description:

Dr. Alan Schreck explores the times and messages of St. Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis, bringing together their shared emphases, including:

Conversion — their stories are different but their message the same: turn to God
Prayer – union with Jesus is for everyone
Poverty – the imitation of Christ heals and restores
Church – faithfulness is the foundation for renewal
Mission – the same in every age: share the Gospel
Joy – the hallmark of Catholic life and possible for us today

RC#11- A Century of Cataclysms – The Resilient Church w/ Mike Aquilina

Episode 11– A Century of Cataclysms

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Pick up a copy of Mke’s book. You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well

Also visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information!

IP#87 James Hannam – The Genesis of Science on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

I love “The Genesis of Science: How the Christian Middle Ages Launched the Scientific Revolution”! James Hannam has written a fascinating study of the Christian Middle Ages and its foundational importance to the science of our day. He’s brought back the important contributions of half-forgotten thinkers. James demonstrates how they were brought to such a state because of the political agendas of the last 500 years. Why is this important? Because it has everything to do with fundamental Truth, and what is ordered in the Universe. And at the heart, it is faith in God which drives science and it’s healthy functioning in society and culture. It was, and should be today, rooted in the Christian understanding of faith, reason, philosophy, theology and all the other things that round out the wholeness of the human person and the created world. Fascinating stuff indeed!

Be sure to visit James’ website.

Click here to pick up a copy of the book

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IP#265 Patricia Ann Kasten – Making Sense of Saints on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“Making Sense of Saints: Fascinating Facts about Relics, Patrons, Saint-Making and More” by author Patricia Ann Kasten is a delightful book! Not only is the canonization process fully illuminated, but Patricia has filled the book with fascinating stories and little known facts. Everything you ever wanted to know, from the use of relics and holy cards to how miracles are determined can be found in this excellent book brought to us by publisher, Our Sunday Visitor. A thoroughly engaging read.

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You can find the book here

You’ll be fascinated and delighted by topics such as: Just Four Easy (Sort of) Steps: The Canonization Process “Doesn’t He Just Glow? Saints’ Symbols “There’s a Man Buried under the Altar!” Relics of Saints “Holy Haloes, God-Made Man!” Saints and Martyrs as Superheroes “Yo-ho-ho!” The Treasure Chest of the Church And much more!

RC#3 – The Case for Christianity – The Resilient Church w/ Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts

Episode 3 – The Case for Christianity

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Pick up a copy of Mke’s book. You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well

Also visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information!

IP#256 Dr. Scott Hahn – Evangelizing Catholics on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

What a delight to once again speak with Dr. Scott Hahn, especially about his exceptionally important book Evangelizing Catholics: A Mission Manual for the New Evangelization”. Who should have this book? Everyone! Just the right mix for the adult Catholic to digest: part history book, part theology book, steeped in Scared Scripture, a sacramental feast, anointed by the Holy Spirit…this work is just what the Church needs at this time. If I had my way, every Catholic community would be passing out this book after mass even more eagerly than it does it’s parish bulletin! HIGHLY ENCOURAGED READING!

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You can find the book here

You can’t keep the faith unless you give it away. That’s a fact. To be a Christian is to be an evangelizer. When the Catholic Church calls us to a “New Evangelization,” that’s simply a reminder to us of what has always been true. The good news is: you can do it – you can evangelize – and Scott Hahn shows you how. In this this very practical “mission manual” Dr. Hahn equips you with: A guide to understanding what the New Evangelization is, and who it’s really for A roadmap that leads you to where it all happens (hint: it’s closer than you think) A simple, beautiful message to share – in words and actions You don’t need esoteric knowledge. You don’t need to master a new set of skills. Evangelization, for Catholics, is simply friendship raised up to the highest level. Enter a deeper friendship with Christ, and you’ll want to share his companionship more and more with a wider circle of friends.