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.

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: the Fashion Show 04/26/2025

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: the Fashion Show Weekend Edition for April 26-27, 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36318525

Friday, April 25, 2025 04/25/2025

Friday, April 25, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a Christian scholar who sought “the highest reason and the fullest faith,” J.B. Lightfoot. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36292835

Thursday, April 24, 2025 04/24/2025

Thursday, April 24, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a timely anniversary and then “pivot” to a pressing related story. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36289720

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 04/23/2025

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the “mother” of Quakerism: Margaret Fell Fox. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36269355

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 04/22/2025

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the “patron saint of American moderates” and founding president of Princeton: Jonathan Dickinson. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36253920

Monday, April 21, 2025 04/21/2025

Monday, April 21, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to talk about the pagan origins of our favorite holidays. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36238465

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: the Mailbag and AMA Leftovers! 04/19/2025

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: the Mailbag and AMA Leftovers! Weekend Edition for April 19-20, 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36228255

Friday, April 18, 2025 04/18/2025

Friday, April 18, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember one of the more important, but often overlooked, Church Fathers: St. Cyprian. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36216480

Thursday, April 17, 2025 04/17/2025

Thursday, April 17, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we look at the practice of foot washing throughout Church history and its association with Maundy Thursday. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36195130

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 04/16/2025

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a man who gave his life for his faith and the early Reformation in France. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36134090

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 04/15/2025

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember a partially (?) apocryphal story about a Scottish minister and the world’s most famous ocean liner (and metaphor come to life). Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36133850

Monday, April 14, 2025 04/14/2025

Monday, April 14, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember one of the great “middle men” in American Church history: Horace Bushnell. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36119665

CHA 2000 Episode AMA 04/12/2025

CHA 2000 Episode AMA Weekend Edition for April 12-13, 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36106695

Friday, April 11, 2025 04/11/2025

Friday, April 11, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the most important Papal Encyclical (fancy letter to the church) of the 20th century and maybe beyond. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36074880

Thursday, April 10, 2025 04/10/2025

Thursday, April 10, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we tell the story of the pastor, professor, poet, and storyteller Henry Van Dyke. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36074640

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 04/09/2025

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we name a patron saint of CHA for our 2000th episode. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36064830

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 04/08/2025

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember Edward John Carnell and his place amongst the “new evangelicals.” Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36045185

Monday, April 7, 2025 04/07/2025

Monday, April 7, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, Dan recalls another favorite topic and episode through the years: Humor and Christianity. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36027070

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents "What Did We Learn in 2000 Episodes?" 04/05/2025

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents "What Did We Learn in 2000 Episodes?" Weekend Edition for April 5-6, 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/36011515

Friday, April 4, 2025 04/04/2025

Friday, April 4, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we look back at one of Dan’s favorite characters - Katharina Schuetze-Zell, the “first woman” of the Reformation. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35995445

Thursday, April 3, 2025 04/03/2025

Thursday, April 3, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we look back at one of Dan’s favorite stories: the eccentric commune behind your grandma’s silverware. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35982100

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 04/02/2025

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we look back at one of Dan’s favorite topics in church history: the End Times. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35967840

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 04/01/2025

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we look at the origins of April Fool’s Day and its association with Christianity. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35950900

Monday, March 31, 2025 03/31/2025

Monday, March 31, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to answer a question about friendship across theological divisions. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35927560

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents the Greatest Lenten Story Ever Told: Dante’s Inferno 03/29/2025

The CHA Weekend Edition Presents the Greatest Lenten Story Ever Told: Dante’s Inferno Weekend Edition for March 29-30, 2025 Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35916100

Friday, March 28, 2025 03/28/2025

Friday, March 28, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we wish a happy birthday to the “Godfather of Gospel Music." Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: https://www.1517.org/chacelebrate : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35902910

Thursday, March 27, 2025 03/27/2025

Thursday, March 27, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, Dan tells a story about a tract he was given and a curious date for the season’s celebrations. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35878160

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 03/26/2025

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the eccentric (and electric!) Czech Priest Prokop Diviš, the “European Franklin.” Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35867045

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 03/25/2025

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember what might be the most significant day in world history! Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35844780

Monday, March 24, 2025 03/24/2025

Monday, March 24, 2025 Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to dig a little deeper into numerology and the Bible. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize : https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FCNEEK60MVNVPCEGKBD8_5&starsLeft=1 More from the hosts: SHOW TRANSCRIPTS are available: CONTACT: SUBSCRIBE: FOLLOW US: Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (). /episode/index/show/christianhistoryalmanac/id/35829655

Christian History Almanac

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