In the modern world, there are numerous ways in which we can learn more about faith and Christianity. While it may have once been the case that technology was seen as hostile to the Church’s traditions, the reality today is that there is an easier alliance. YouTube, for instance, is a wonderful source for learning about Christianity.
Podcasts are also a wonderful source of information about all topics. Modern podcasts cover every stratum of human interest, from information on how to diet to advice on who to back in the current NBA Playoffs betting. Religion, of course, is a popular topic for podcasting, and there are some incredible podcasts for learning about the Church, its history, the Bible, and the role of Christianity in the modern world. Below, we look at five of the most insightful:
The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz
The Bible in a Year is a brilliant option for listeners who want structure. Hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and produced by Ascension, the podcast takes listeners through the entire Bible in 365 episodes. Its intention is to make The Bible accessible. Not just as a book, but as a spiritual journey. It follows a reading plan inspired by The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, developed by Catholic Bible scholar Jeff Cavins, so it’s perfect for those wondering where to begin with Scripture.
Ask NT Wright Anything
For a more scholarly but still accessible route into Christianity, Ask NT Wright Anything is an excellent choice. N.T. Wright is one of the world’s best-known New Testament scholars, and the format is fairly simple: listeners submit questions about religion or any related topic, and Wright answers. It works well because it does not assume the listener already has everything figured out about life or religion. The key aspect is Wright, also known as Tomas Wright. The former Bishop of Durham (England) is a deep thinker, one who is not afraid to question dogma.
5 Minutes in Church History
Let’s face it, regardless of the topic, long, in-depth discussions can get a bit dull after a while. Our brains switch off, especially when we are not wholly versed in academia of the subject. 5 Minutes in Church History, as the name suggests, is a brilliant way to access the history of the Church without the heavy lectures. It features short, sharp and engaging stories on everything from missionaries to controversies. Its overall theme is on the people who shaped the Church from the New Testament to today.
BibleProject Podcast
For anyone trying to understand Christianity through the Bible itself, BibleProject Podcast is one of the best starting points. The podcast pairs especially well with BibleProject’s famous animated videos, but it also goes deeper than the videos, making it useful for listeners who want more than a quick explainer. It is particularly good for people who are curious about how Old Testament ideas connect to the New Testament.
The Holy Post
If the previous shows help explain the Bible and Christian history, what we like about The Holy Post is that it’s more about what Christianity looks like in the modern world. Hosted by Phil Vischer, Skye Jethani and others, including interesting guests, it mixes theology with modern elements like pop culture and science. It is especially useful for Christians who want to frame the debate on faith’s place in the world today. It’s not all about “gotchas” when arguing with atheists, though. It takes an empathetic look at how society has a changing attitude to Christianity, without being too judgmental. At times, it also very funny.
