Episode Description:

Journey through 800 years of educational history as host Rachel Chen interviews Harvard-trained church historian Bishop Andy Lewter about the surprising connections between ancient Greek teaching methods and early Christian discipleship.

Discover how Socrates' questioning approach, Plato's Academy, Aristotle's walking lectures, and the intensive communities of Pythagoras and Epicurus laid the groundwork for Jesus's revolutionary teaching style and the early church's transformative discipleship model.

From the streets of Athens to first-century Palestine to the great Christian schools of Alexandria, explore how the mentor-disciple relationship became the foundation of Western education and Christian formation. Learn why these ancient insights about learning through relationship and community remain surprisingly relevant for educators, leaders, and anyone interested in personal growth today.

Perfect for: History buffs, educators, church leaders, philosophy enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how ancient wisdom shapes our modern world.

Keywords: Ancient philosophy, Christian history, discipleship, education, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Jesus, early church, teaching methods, mentorship

"The Church History Podcast" explores the pivotal moments, influential figures, and theological developments that have shaped Christianity throughout history. Hosted by Rachel Chen, each episode features Church Historian, Bishop Andy C. Lewter, who brings scholarly insight and engaging storytelling to illuminate how the church has navigated challenges, adapted to change, and influenced civilization across two millennia.

Episode Summary

Today's episode explores one of history's most transformative periods—the birth of the Middle Ages. This episode examines how the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of Germanic tribes fundamentally reshaped both European civilization and Christianity itself.

What You'll Discover:

• The true story behind the so-called "barbarian invasions"—really a complex process of migration, settlement, and cultural integration
• How Germanic tribes like the Goths, Visigoths, and Vandals established new kingdoms across former Roman territories
• The Church's brilliant adaptive strategies for converting Arian Christian tribes to orthodox faith
• Dramatic papal diplomacy, including Pope Leo I's legendary encounters with Attila the Hun and Genseric the Vandal
• The remarkable partnership between Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and his influential wife Theodora
• How the magnificent Hagia Sophia became a theological statement in stone and gold
• The contrasting development of papal authority in the West versus imperial control of the Church in the East
• Why this period established patterns that would define medieval Christianity for centuries

Perfect for:

• History enthusiasts curious about the transition from ancient to medieval worlds
• Christians interested in how their faith adapted during times of massive change
• Anyone fascinated by the intersection of politics, culture, and religion
• Listeners who enjoy expert analysis delivered through engaging conversation

Expert Guest: Harvard graduate and Church Historian, Bishop Andy C. Lewter, brings decades of scholarship as Adjunct Professor of Church History at the Beulah Heights Bible University and Historian of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship in addition to his pastorate of two local Baptist Churches in New York City and Long Island, New York. His expertise illuminates how church leaders navigated unprecedented challenges with remarkable creativity and strategic thinking.

Join host Rachel Chen and distinguished church historian Bishop Andy C. Lewter for an illuminating exploration of one of history's most pivotal moments - the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD and its transformative impact on Christianity. This engaging 30-minute discussion reveals how political chaos became the catalyst for Christianity's remarkable evolution in both the West and East.

Bishop Andy C. Lewter brings decades of scholarly expertise to bear on these complex historical developments, offering fresh perspectives on how Christianity's adaptability in the face of civilization's collapse shaped both medieval Europe and the modern church.

Perfect For History enthusiasts, theology students, and anyone interested in understanding how political upheaval can fundamentally transform religious institutions and create lasting civilizational changes.