In most religious traditions the central and most important fundamental idea that binds the religion together as a set of beliefs, practices, and institutions is the idea of “god” or “gods.” […]
In October of 1097, after a horrendous four-month march across Asia Minor, which only half of the original army survived, the main force of Crusaders converged on Antioch. Laying the ground work to eventually take Jerusalem. […]
It’s pretty difficult to talk about what it means to be an Arab without also talking about Islam, the second largest religion in the world. The question is are the terms Arab and Muslim synonymous? The quick answer is no. In fairness Arabs are overwhelmingly Muslim, but not all of them. […]
Martin Luther debated many foes in his lifetime, but none troubled him as much as his nightly debates with Satan himself. […]
In this episode of The Torch, we gain insight into early Christianity, Jesus, and his apostles by examining the fascinating texts known as the Christian Apocrypha. […]
The New Testament gives us 27 canonical texts—gospels, letters, and more—but these works are only a tiny fraction of the many volumes written about the life of Jesus, his family, and the apostles. This alternative body of literature falls under the category of “apocrypha,” which means “hidden” or “secret,” and it offers fascinating insights into the early Christian world and how different groups understood the teachings of Jesus and the first apostles. […]
While Mary is present in the Canonical gospels, its really in the early Christian apocrypha that she becomes the leader among the saints. Explore several key texts to uncover what we know about Jesus’ mother, her relationship with the disciples, and what makes her unique among the New Testament figures. […]
The story of Jesus’ life can be found similarly told in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In fact, they are so similar in parts, that many scholars believe that one of these Gospels was used as a source for the other two. […]
Saint Paul’s role in the development and spread of Christianity helped define it as a major world religion, instead of a sect within Judaism. Surprisingly, his writings rarely mention Jesus’ teachings at all… […]
Where, and when did Buddhism begin? How did it become so popular, capturing the hearts and minds of millions of faithful followers around the globe? Delve into the life of Siddhartha Gautama and the tenets of his philosophy, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path to enlightenment. Then find out how these ideas developed and spread world-wide. […]
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