Centrally Speaking

12/03/2025

One of the oldest Christmas carols that Christians sing is "Of the Father's Love Begotten." (4th century). He was influenced by Revelation 22:13. For more on Christmas carols, listen to our podcast called Christmas Then and Now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046041/episodes/18211043-christmas-carols-then-and-now.mp3?download=true

11/30/2025

Christmas carols have been of great value for celebration at this time of year. Besides having melodies that are upbeat, Christmas carols contain a very positive message. The words and songs of these carols used to to be heard frequently not only in church but in public places. Now they are heard much less frequently. In this podcast, we ask Sally House, Director of Music at Central Schwenkfelder Church about the positive message in Christmas carols and the worrying trend that they are being forgotten within our society at large.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046041/episodes/18211043

At Christmas time, many will recognize that the church speaks about the birth of Jesus. As part of the celebration, Christians also sing Christmas carols. These used to be prominent in western society, but they are heard much less frequently outsi...

11/21/2025

As we approach the Advent and Christmas season, some are saying in our society that Jesus was not really a person. If you encounter this, we encourage you to refer to the many non-Christian sources that show his existence. I led this webinar on the "Existence of Jesus from non-Christian and early Christian sources" in 2017 through the group Forum of Christian Leaders.

In recent years, there have been some from within secular society that have claimed that Jesus did not exist. This webinar will look at non-Christian sources from Greco-Roman and Jewish sources that indicate that Jesus did exist. It will also look at the earliest sources in the New Testament that af...

10/23/2025

If you have an interest in Caspar Schwenckfeld, Schwenkfelders, the Reformation, or Pietism, one of our ministers, Rev. Dr. Drake Williams, is presenting the first of a four part series of online presentations this evening in conjunction with the Swedenborg Library. The title of the series is: The Radical Reformation: Schwenckfeld and the Roots of Piety. Each presentation will take place each Thursday evening at 7:00 Eastern time between now and November 13. It will last approximately an hour or so. Topics will include: Schwenckfeld and His Reformation Context (Oct 23), Schwenckfeld, the Eucharist, and the Beginning of the Stillstand (Oct 30), The Migration of the Schwenckfelders and their understanding of Christianity as found in the catechism of George Weiss their first leader in America (Nov 6), The Pietism of the Schwenkfelders as displayed in George Weiss’s catechism and their early hymn book (Nov 13).
The Zoom Room ID: 558 403 3057
Password: Swedenborg

10/13/2025

Thankful to have published our 75th podcast!

10/13/2025

Many are recognizing that religious persecution is a problem. While this knowledge is increasing, the understanding has not led to persecution decreasing. In this podcast, we interview Prof. dr. Janet Epp Buckingham about these problems. As someone who is serving as the Director of the World Evangelical Alliance Geneva Office since September 2024 and previously as WEA Director of Global Advocacy, she is repeatedly raising awareness of this issue. In these roles, Janet advocates at the United Nations with national evangelical alliances. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046041/episodes/17995556

Many are recognizing that religious persecution is a problem. While this knowledge is increasing, the understanding has not led to persecution decreasing. In this podcast, we interview Prof. dr. Janet Epp Buckingham about these problems. As someon...

10/03/2025

In a few days, we look forward to releasing a podcast on religious persecution and what can be done about it. We interviewed Prof. Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham from the World Evangelical Alliance. She advocates for freedom of religion for Christians and other religions at the United Nations.

09/29/2025

Migration is one of the largest issues of our time. More than ever before nations and faiths are encountering each other in unexpected ways. This is taking place in Marseille, the oldest city in France. In this southern city, many from North Africa have settled bringing a different worldview. Marseille now has many Muslims who intermingle with those who are Catholic or atheist. Craig Young has been observing this trend for over 35 years. As a missionary, he has befriended those from both North African and French backgrounds. He and his wife Katie lead the church Chapelle de Fuveau (https://www.chapelledefuveau.fr/) which straddles two neighborhoods in France of different backgrounds. This podcast provides some of Craig's reflections on the intermingling of different nationalities in Marseille https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046041/episodes/17849307

Migration is one of the largest issues of our time. More than ever before nations and faiths are encountering each other in unexpected ways. This is taking place in Marseille, the oldest city in France. In this southern city, many from North Afric...

09/17/2025

In a few days, we look forward to releasing a podcast "The Rising Influence of Islam in Marseille." This podcast surfaces issues of migration as well as the relationship between Christianity and Islam. Our guest will be Craig Young who has lived with his family in Marseille, France for 35 years. He and his wife Katie have planted a church there called Chapelle de Fuveau (website: https://www.chapelledefuveau.fr/). The Youngs also conduct a choral ministry there. Here is a song that they sing at church based on Psalm 23. It is all in French. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuDf2lNhjJA

Projet de chorale virtuelle "Chœur à cœurs"PSAUME 23 (Psalm 23)Musique : Clarissa Cox Paroles : P. Dauner1. Le Seigneur que j’adore, C’est le bon berger :Rie...

09/01/2025

Abuse happens in many places throughout our society. Does God have a word for those who are feeling manipulated? In her upcoming book, That God is For Me: A Study of God’s Heart Through the Stories of Women in Scripture, Lisa Radcliff points to several stories in the Bible that display his heart for those who have been misused. Lisa Radcliff is an award-winning author, speaker, and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. (website: https://lisajradcliff.com/). Lisa and her husband, Doug, have been married for over 40 years, raising three sons and enjoying their nine grandchildren. She and her husband grew up at the Central Schwenkfelder Church. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046041/episodes/17729964

Abuse happens in many places throughout our society. Does God have a word for those who are feeling manipulated? In her upcoming book, That God is For Me: A Study of God’s Heart Through the Stories of Women in Scripture, Lisa Radcliff points ...

08/27/2025

Our next podcast is about God's heart for women. We will be interviewing Lisa Radcliff, an accomplished author and speaker, about this topic. She is also an advocate for those who have been abused. In the podcast, she points to Psalm 56 that is a psalm that is frequently overlooked. This video is a devotional on this psalm.

08/12/2025

How were the ancient writings that compose our Bible translated into our current English Bibles? In this podcast, we ask Dr. Scott Hafemann who was a part of the translation committee for the New International Version translation of the Bible about this process. In his answers, he speaks about the earliest English translations, the King James Version, and the New International Version. His answers also share about his experience serving on a translation committee. Scott Hafemann was formerly a reader of New Testament at Saint Andrews University in Scotland, the Gerald Hawthorne Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, and the Mary Rockefeller Professor of New Testament at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

://www.buzzsprout.com/1046041/episodes/17578035

How were the ancient writings that compose our Bible translated into our current English Bibles? In this podcast, we ask Dr. Scott Hafemann who was a part of the translation committee for the New International Version translation of the Bible abou...