PodCasts
A good place to start if you want to listen to my various lectures is with a lecture on "Epistemology" that I typically give to my Intro to Philosophy Class. This will help you understand how I approach all subject matter - how do I "know" what I know? How can I be certain of what I "know?"
This lecture is in two parts to keep the audio file from being too large:
Introduction to Epistemology and Uncertainty - Part I
Introduction to Epistemology and Uncertainty - Part II
"Grace to You," a study in Ephesians using the classic by Watchman Nee, "Sit, Walk, Stand."
A Study in Ephesians
"Contemplative Prayer," a series based on the Brother Lawrence classic "The Practice of the Presence of God." Contemplative Prayer
Papers on Christian Spirituality in Church History, papers read at a Spirituality Weekend Retreat in Hartselle, Alabama.
Papers on Spirituality throughout Church History
Church History class lectures given at Saint Augustine's College. (unedited)
Lectures in Church History
"Grace to You," a study in Ephesians
A six week series I taught at our church on Paul's letter to the Ephesians using the classic by Watchman Nee, "Sit, Walk, Stand."
Unfortunately, the first teaching (an introduction of Ephesians and Watchman Nee) was not recorded. If you are not familiar with Watchman Nee, please read a brief biography of his life. Many of his writings are now considered Christian classics, none more than "Sit, Walk, Stand." I recommend that every believer read this book.
Right click on "download" if you would like to save the mp3 file.
Introduction to Law and Grace
(download)
See note below - open PDF file
[You might want to open this PDF file of slides to follow along for the Introduction.]
Ephesians Chapter 2, "Sit"
(download)
Ephesians Chapters 3-4
(download)
Ephesians Chapter 3-4, "Walk"
(download)
Ephesians Chapter 6, "Stand"
(download)
Contemplative Prayer
This is a seven part series I taught based on the Brother Lawrence classic,
The Practice of the Presence of God.
For those not familiar with Brother Lawrence, I would highly encourage you to purchase this book at your local bookstore or go to
Amazon. Most versions of this book are abridged, but the basic message will come through in any version. This is a profound work (making a difficult/complex topic simple). I recommend that every believer read this book - it took me reading it three times over a period of around 5 years to sink into my heart. You can also read this brief biography of Lawrence's life.
The class included spending some time each night "practicing" God's presence. These were guided times of prayer and our "practice" time increased with each session. The first few teachings are longer - the teachings that included "practice" are shorter with comments/discussion from attendees.
Right click on "download" if you would like to save the mp3 file.
Introduction to Contemplative Prayer
(download)
The Struggle of Contemplative Prayer
(download)
Apophatic Theology and Prayer
(download)
Papers on Christian Spirituality in Church History
CH101 hosted a Spirituality Weekend Retreat in Hartselle, Alabama. Several attendees read
papers written on specific people and/or documents in Christian history exploring how spirituality has
been expressed in other periods of time.
The Development of Christian Spirituality, PART I
(download)
by Al Baker
The beginnings of Christian spirituality are traced from the writings of Plato, through Philo of Alexandria,
the Apostle Paul, and to the first clear example in Christian history in Clement of Alexandria.
Al Baker earned a B.S. in Management/Marketing from Troy University and a Ph.D. in
Ecclesiastical History from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He served as a university
pastor for 14 years and now works as an online marketing consultant. Read Al Baker's
full bio.
The Virtue of Simplicity in The Shepherd of Hermas
(download)
by John Gibson
Of all the documents that failed to make the New Testament canon, The Shepherd of Hermas
came closer than any other to making that canon. This paper explores the spirituality of
simplicity as contrasted to double-mindedness in this early second century Christian document.
John Gibson earned a B.S. in Religious Studies from the University of Alabama,
served as a pastor for 10 years, and currently is a supervisor in the Department of
Human Resources for the State of Alabama.
The Development of Christian Spirituality, PART II
(download)
by Al Baker
The development of Christian spirituality is traced from Origen of Alexandria, through
Greggory of Nyssa, Pseudo-Dionysius, the monastic tradition, and the English mystics of the
12th-14th centuries. This section ends with the Spanish mystic John of the Cross.
Al Baker earned a B.S. in Management/Marketing from Troy University and a Ph.D. in
Ecclesiastical History from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He served as a university
pastor for 14 years and now works as an online marketing consultant. Read Al Baker's
full bio.
Spirituality Lived out in The Desert Fathers
(download)
by Tammy Thompson
In The Sayings of the Desert Fathers we have a collection of sayings and stories that
reveal a simple, yet profound spirituality lived out by the first "monks" of the Christian
faith in the Egyptian desert.
Tammy Thompson earned a B.S. in Education from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire
and served as a university pastor for 4 years. She has been teaching in
private schools for the last five years.
Wisdom and Creation: A Framework for Earthy Spirituality
(download)
by Wayne Fair
St. Patrick models an earthy spirituality grounded in the creation story. This paper
presents an argument against viewing spirituality only from an esoteric standpoint.
Wayne Fair earned a B.S. in Religious Studies from the University of Alabama,
and an MDiv. from Reformed Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor for 15 years.
Wayne works in the IT Department of the University of Alabama.
The Cloud of Unknowing: Spirituality in a Post-Modern World
(download)
by Erick Schwartzkopf
The Cloud of Unknowing presents a form of spirituality rich in the apophatic tradition.
This particular Christian document and the spirituality it represents is highly regarded by
post-modern spirituality seekers, yet is not without danger. This paper shows how the author of
Cloud warns the reader how to avoid unorthodoxy in this unique pursuit of Christ.
Dr. Schwartzkopf earned a B.S. in English from the University of Alabama, then served as
a university pastor for 4 years. He then earned a DVM from Auburn University and works as a
domestic Veterinary in northern Georgia.
The Development of Christian Spirituality, PART III (download)
The Positive Framework in the Darkness of John of the Cross
by Al Baker
Some have focused on the darkness in John of the Cross, even describing his struggle as
clinical depression. This paper attempts to show how the original audience would have seen
his message within a positive framework.
Al Baker earned a B.S. in Management/Marketing from Troy University and a Ph.D. in
Ecclesiastical History from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He served as a university
pastor for 14 years and now works as an online marketing consultant. Read Al Baker's
full bio.
The Importance of the Eucharist in the Spirituality of John Wesley
(download)
by Lanier Nail
Many know this basic history behind John Wesley and his influence in the spiritual awakening of
the 18th century - this paper focuses on the importance of celebrating the Eucharist, or the
Lord's supper in Wesley's spiritual schema.
Lanier Nail earned a B.S. from the University of Alabama and an M.Div. from Beason Divinity
School in Birmingham, Alabama. He served as a university pastor for 4 years, and will be
ordained into the Afican Anglican Church soon. He currently works at a golf and conference
center where he serves as the chaplain.
Church History Overview (unedited)
Church History lectures given at Saint Augustine's College.
This is a survey course, thus we are only touching on major themes, people, and events.
I am teaching at something like 150 years per hour! It is a good overview, but I would
recommend augmenting these lectures with a good text on the subject.
1st century
2nd century
3rd century
4th century
5th century
5th-6th centuries
5th-6th century outreach
Review 70-590 AD
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