Christian History Almanac

The Christian History Almanac is a daily 5-minute podcast that highlights those stories- sometimes well known, other times less so- that have shaped the history of the church. Hosted by historian and author Dr. Daniel van Voorhis, each daily podcast concludes with a piece of prose or poetry and the reminder that because of the Good News, everything is going to be ok.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 12/31/2025

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we look at the events surrounding a lesser-known man of the season: Silvesterclaus. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39572590

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 12/30/2025

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the remarkable Josephine Butler. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39559985

Monday, December 29, 2025 12/29/2025

Monday, December 29, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we answer a question about the history of the ominous “rapture.” Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39552560

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: Reprise! Mark Heard, Poet and Prophet 12/27/2025

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: Reprise! Mark Heard, Poet and Prophet Weekend Edition for December 27-28. 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39530415

Friday, December 26, 2025 12/26/2025

Friday, December 26, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we look at a curious hymn/carol made famous by the date. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39519435

Thursday, December 25, 2025 12/25/2025

Thursday, December 25, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we celebrate the feast of the Nativity with a special reading. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39519345

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 12/24/2025

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we examine the history of Christianity and the place of trees, Christmas, or otherwise. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39519240

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 12/23/2025

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we look into a common Christmas question about dates. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39489565

Monday, December 22, 2025 12/22/2025

Monday, December 22, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we investigate the story of Santa slapping Arius at the Council of Nicaea. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39489480

The CHA Christmas History Edition Presents: Your Questions and Recommendations 12/20/2025

The CHA Christmas History Edition Presents: Your Questions and Recommendations Weekend Edition for December 20-21, 2025 Previous Christmas History Almanacs: Recommendations: Cheri- Behold the Lamb of God- Andrew Peterson at the Rhyman Pam- Poor Bishop Hooper- Stacy in Memphis by way of Houston- Bagder in Idaho City- Chad in Goshen Indiana- Aquabats “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Too!“. The Christmas Gift Michael Schmid Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39480820

Friday, December 19, 2025 12/19/2025

Friday, December 19, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we tell the story of the “Prince of Scottish Hymnwriters.” Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39459555

Thursday, December 18, 2025 12/18/2025

Thursday, December 18, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a very popular but quite mysterious Sikh-turned-Christian in 20th-century India. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39449995

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 12/17/2025

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we celebrate the 125th birthday of an American church body with Norwegian roots. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39433370

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 12/16/2025

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a “minor” Prophet and his “major” contribution to the post-exilic people. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39419135

Monday, December 15, 2025 12/15/2025

Monday, December 15, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to answer a question about Hanukkah and Christianity. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39403625

The CHA Christmas History Edition Presents: A Few of My Favorite Things 12/13/2025

The CHA Christmas History Edition Presents: A Few of My Favorite Things Weekend Edition for December 13-14, 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39391830

Friday, December 12, 2025 12/12/2025

Friday, December 12, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the most famous Madonna in the Americas. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39373465

Thursday, December 11, 2025 12/11/2025

Thursday, December 11, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a giant in literature and Christianity during the 20th century. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39364710

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 12/10/2025

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the “burning of Brother Henry”- a famous Reformation era martyrdom. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39348630

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 12/09/2025

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember “another” Augustine- but this one in post-Reformation England. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39330685

Monday, December 8, 2025 12/08/2025

Monday, December 8, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to answer a question about questionable Christmas carols. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39315790

The CHA Christmas History Edition Presents: Hark the What? Angels and the Christmas Story 12/06/2025

The CHA Christmas History Edition Presents: Hark the What? Angels and the Christmas Story Weekend Edition for December 6-7, 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39305470

Friday, December 5, 2025 12/05/2025

Friday, December 5, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a papal bull and the beginning of the medieval “witch craze.” Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39281865

Thursday, December 4, 2025 12/04/2025

Thursday, December 4, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember another popular medieval saint whose name is immortalized on the West Coast. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39259535

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 12/03/2025

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the signing of a covenant that ushered in the Reformation in Scotland. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39245625

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 12/02/2025

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember one of the 20th century’s more enigmatic priests and public philosophers. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39228935

Monday, December 1, 2025 12/01/2025

Monday, December 1, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to answer a college student’s question about history and religion. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39214350

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: the Advent Hymn Extravaganza! 11/29/2025

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: the Advent Hymn Extravaganza! Weekend Edition for November 29-30, 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39182180

Friday, November 28, 2025 11/28/2025

Friday, November 28, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a Reformation controversy over the role of good works in salvation. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39179145

Thursday, November 27, 2025 11/27/2025

Thursday, November 27, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the “arch-deaconess” of Constance during the Reformation. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/39179110

Christian History Almanac

TOPICS