The Stromata

Readings from Christian wisdom throughout history. A companion podcast to go alongside the Stromata website found at stromata.co.

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Episodes

Herman Dooyeweerd, The Roots of Western Culture. Chapter Two: Sphere Sovereignty

In this episode, we’ll be reading a chapter from the book called ‘The Roots of Western Culture’ by the Dutch Christian Philosopher Herman Dooyeweerd. The chapter itself is the second in the book and is called ‘Sphere Sovereignty’. Dooyeweerd himself was active mainly in the middle of the 20th century and was heavily influenced by the Dutch Neo-Calvinist thinker, minister and former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Abraham Kuyper. 'The Word of God is spirit and power which must penetrate our who...

Jul 16, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 8

The Didache

Thanks for joining! This week we're reading the Didache an anonymous Jewish-Christian practical guide to the faith from the 1st Century. How should we live? How should we worship? How should we organise ourselves? The Didache gives us some help. 'Do not in any way neglect the commandments of the Lord, but keep what you have received, neither adding nor taking away anything..' I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, the piece read, and any ideas you have for future episodes. If you want t...

Jul 01, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Martin Bucer, The Reign Of Christ. Preface And Chapter One

Thanks for listening to the sixth episode of the Stromata. This week we're reading the Preface and First Chapter of 'The Rule of Christ' by Martin Bucer, on the Kingdom of God and how it informs how a Monarch should rule. This is in addition to a Preface by Bucer that gives some insight into the relationship between a Reformer like Bucer and the young King of England, Edward the Sixth. 'S ince God alone is good, wise, and powerful, only in his Kingdom can those things which ought to be done by r...

Jun 17, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 6

John Wycliffe, A Short Rule Of Life For Each Man

Thanks for listening to the fifth episode of the Stromata. This week we're reading 'A Short rule of Life' by John Wycliffe, on how each man, whether he be Priest, Lord, or Labourer should conduct themselves according to their station. 'And thus each man in the three states ought to live, to save himself, and to help others; and thus should good life, rest, peace, and love, be among Christian men, and they be saved, and heathen men soon converted, and God magnified greatly in all nations and sect...

Jun 10, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Caesarius of Arles, Sermon Eleven

Thanks for listening to the fourth episode of the Stromata. This week we're reading Sermon Eleven by Caesarius of Arles, a homily from the early Middle Ages exploring how Christ's suffering on the cross for our sake is a victory of justice and reason over power and might. 'Now, it is necessary for this to be believed to have been done in this way. Christ the Lord without any guilt, without any blame, underwent a penal sentence; the innocent man is crucified without sin. The Devil is made guilty ...

Jun 03, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 4

The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Thanks for listening to the third episode of the Stromata. This week we're reading The Martyrdom of Polycarp, the earliest account of Christian martyrdom outside of the New Testament. Polycarp was from the first generation after the apostles, being a disciple and follower of the Apostle John. He is described as an apostolic and prophetic teacher, in addition to being the Bishop of Smyrna. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, the piece read, and any ideas you have for future episodes. ...

May 27, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Augustine of Hippo, Sermon 272: On The Day Of Pentecost To The Infants, On The Sacrament

Thanks for listening to the second episode of the Stromata. This week we're reading St Augustine of Hippo's short sermon on communion entitled 'Sermon 272: On The Day Of Pentecost To The Infants, On The Sacrament' alongside a brief introduction talking about some of the theology in the piece with some help from a Theologian called Richard Hooker. 'Remember that bread is not made from one grain, but from many. When you were being exorcised, it is as though you were being ground. When you were bap...

May 20, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 2

C.S. Lewis, Introduction to 'On the Incarnation'

Thanks for listening to the first-ever episode of the Stromata. We're starting it off with reading C.S Lewis's Introduction to 'On the Incarnation' by St Athanasius alongside a brief introduction explaining why it was chosen for the first-ever episode and how it inspired the Stromata website. 'Every age has its own outlook. It is especially good at seeing certain truths and especially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes...

May 13, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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