Episodi

  • 0103 - DEEP DIVE of Episode 15 - 304 AD - Crispina's Martyrdom Divides and Church

    0103 - DEEP DIVE of Episode 15 - 304 AD - Crispina's Martyrdom Divides and Church
    Feb 4 2026
    Deep Dive: 304 AD – Crispina Defies Persecution – A North African Mother Stands Against Rome and Seals Her Faith With Martyrdom (Revisiting Ep 15) Description: In 304 AD, a wealthy noblewoman named Crispina faced a terrifying choice during the harsh persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. Living in the North African city of Thagora, she was arrested and ordered to offer incense to the Roman gods. The main conflict of this episode centers on her brave refusal to save her own life by denying her faith, even when she had wealth, status, and children to protect. The story follows her trial before the Roman proconsul Annius Anullinus, who tried to force her to compromise. Key moments include the judge’s attempt to shame her by ordering her head to be shaved and her powerful response that she feared God more than men. The episode concludes with her sentencing and execution by the sword, showing how her quiet strength inspired the early church in Africa to remain faithful during its darkest days. Crispina’s story forces us to ask if we would have the courage to stand for Jesus when our culture pressures us to just fit in. Her example teaches us that true faith is often proven under pressure, and we invite you to subscribe and join us as we explore more powerful stories from the first 500 years of church history on the COACH podcast. Church history, Roman Empire, Christian martyrs, Diocletian persecution, North African Christianity, St. Crispina, early church, Christian courage, faith under pressure, Roman trial #ChurchHistory #Christianity #COACH #DeepDive #Martyrs #RomanEmpire #Faith #NorthAfrica Links: Podcast Website: That's Jesus YouTube Channel: That's Jesus Channel
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    35 min
  • FASTING DAY 17 - The Reformers Take on Fasting

    FASTING DAY 17 - The Reformers Take on Fasting
    Feb 4 2026
    Title: FASTING DAY 17: The Reformers – Why Luther Hated Mandatory Fasting Description: By the 1500s, the Catholic Church taught that fasting was required to avoid sin and earn merit, a claiming Martin Luther rejected as "godless" and "tyrannical." In Day 17 of our history series, we trace the Protestant Reformation's complex battle over fasting. We see how leaders like Luther and Calvin fought to shift the practice from a mandatory law for salvation to a voluntary discipline for prayer and repentance [Source 8: 55-56]. The story takes a surprising turn with John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who swung the pendulum back toward strict discipline. We examine why Wesley refused to ordain any minister who didn't fast every Wednesday and Friday, believing it was essential for spiritual power [Source 8: 57]. We also look at the "Via Media" (middle way) of the Anglican Church, which kept fasting days but removed the idea that they earned God's favor [Source 8: 57]. This episode helps you understand why your 21-day fast is voluntary and why that distinction matters for your soul. It challenges us to check our motives: are we trying to earn God's love through hunger, or are we simply clearing the way to seek His face? Join us to learn the freedom of biblical fasting [Source 8: 58]. Keywords: Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Protestant Reformation, mandatory fasting, works righteousness, spiritual disciplines, history of fasting, voluntary fasting, Methodist history. Hashtags: #ChurchHistory #Christianity #COACH #DeepDive #Reformation #MartinLuther #JohnWesley #FastingHistory
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    13 min
  • FASTING DAY 16 - DANGER! EXTREME FASTING

    FASTING DAY 16 - DANGER! EXTREME FASTING
    Feb 2 2026
    FASTING DAY 16: Extreme Fasters – When Devotion Becomes Dangerous Description: Simeon Stylites lived on top of a 50-foot pillar for 47 years. Every Lent, he reportedly fasted 40 days without food or water. Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church, eventually ate nothing but the daily Eucharist until she died of starvation at age 33. In Day 16, we explore the dark side of fasting history: "anorexia mirabilis" (miraculous anorexia) and the moment when spiritual devotion crosses the line into self-harm [Source 8: 52-53, 376, 380]. We examine the stories of the Desert Fathers who ate only lentils and the medieval mystics who measured holiness by how much they could punish their bodies [Source 8: 53, 382]. We discuss why these extreme examples were held up as models of holiness for centuries, creating a dangerous standard where "more is better" [Source 8: 54, 383]. We also look at the biblical correction in 1 Timothy 4, which reminds us that God created food to be received with thanksgiving [Source 8: 386]. This episode is a necessary warning for modern believers. It challenges us to check our motives: is our fasting driven by a desire for God, or a need for control and pride? [Source 8: 384]. Join us to learn the warning signs of unhealthy fasting and why God wants your heart, not your destruction [Source 8: 54]. Keywords: Simeon Stylites, Catherine of Siena, anorexia mirabilis, extreme fasting, Desert Fathers, religious eating disorders, asceticism, history of fasting, fasting dangers, 1 Timothy 4.
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    13 min
  • 0102 - 96 AD - Clements Letter to Corinth and How to Destroy a Church

    0102 - 96 AD - Clements Letter to Corinth and How to Destroy a Church
    Feb 2 2026
    COACH Ep 0102: Clement's Letter to Corinth: How to Destroy a Church (96 AD) Description: In 96 AD, the church at Corinth removed its own elders from leadership—not because of heresy or moral failure, but due to pride and internal division. This episode explores the crisis that prompted Clement of Rome to write one of the earliest documents outside the New Testament, addressing a congregation that was destroying itself from the inside out. We examine how the same church Paul had planted decades earlier fell back into patterns of envy and factionalism. The narrative focuses on Clement's response, which bypassed accusations to focus on the breakdown of order and humility. You will hear how he challenged the rebels to voluntarily step aside for the sake of the flock, establishing a precedent for leadership that prioritizes the body of Christ over personal ambition. This story challenges us to rethink modern assumptions about church democracy and leadership, asking if we are willing to submit our certainty to God's order. It serves as a reminder that faithfulness is often revealed in patience and restraint rather than bold action. Subscribe to COACH to discover how early church history actually helps us walk boldly with Jesus today. Keywords: 1 Clement, Church of Corinth, early church history, church leadership, Clement of Rome, spiritual pride, first century Christianity, presbyters, apostolic fathers, church conflict Hashtags: #ChurchHistory #Christianity #COACH #EarlyChurch #1Clement #Corinth #ChurchLeadership #ApostolicFathers Links: For other COACH episodes and resources, visit: https://thatsjesus.org Studio Gear & Tools: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2JVFYS5WRTUVX?ref=wlshare&tag=thatsjesuscha-20 Early Church Sources: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/19YTUD4IK87DZ?ref=wlshare&tag=thatsjesuscha-20
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    17 min
  • FASTING DAY 15 - Does Chocolate Break A Fast

    FASTING DAY 15 - Does Chocolate Break A Fast
    Feb 1 2026
    Title: FASTING DAY 15: Does Chocolate Break a Fast? (The 100-Year Debate) Description: When chocolate arrived in Europe from the Americas in the 1500s, it caused a massive theological crisis for the Catholic Church that lasted over a century. At the time, Christians faced over 100 mandatory fast days a year where solid food was forbidden, but liquids were allowed [Source 8: 48, 361]. This led to a fierce debate that divided popes and theologians: Was this thick, rich cocoa beverage a food that broke the fast, or a drink that was permitted? In Day 15 of our history series, we explore how a delicious new discovery forced the church to decide if drinking chocolate was a sin or a sacrament. We uncover the strange twists of the "Chocolate Controversy," starting with the Dominican friar who asked Pope Gregory XIII for a ruling in 1577, only to have the pope laugh because he had never seen chocolate before [Source 8: 49, 362]. We examine the influence of the Jesuits, who owned cacao plantations and lobbied hard to keep chocolate "legal" during Lent to protect their financial interests [Source 8: 50, 364]. We also discuss the final ruling by Pope Alexander VII in 1666, who tasted the bitter drink and famously declared, "Liquidum non frangit jejunum"—"Liquids do not break the fast" [Source 8: 50, 366]. This historical absurdity forces us to ask a tough question about our own fasting habits today. Are we playing the same game when we drink high-calorie protein shakes and claim we are still fasting because "technically it’s a liquid" [Source 8: 50, 369]? This episode challenges us to stop looking for technical loopholes and start focusing on the spirit of self-denial. Join us to learn why God cares more about the posture of your heart than the definitions in your diet plan. Subscribe to the COACH channel for more deep dives into the fascinating history of our faith. Keywords: History of chocolate, Catholic fasting rules, Pope Alexander VII, liquidum non frangit jejunum, Jesuits, Lenten loopholes, breaking a fast, Christian history, Antonio de León Pinelo, theological debates. Hashtags: #ChurchHistory #Christianity #COACH #DeepDive #ChocolateHistory #CatholicFasting #Lent #FastingLoopholes
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    12 min
  • 0101 - DEEP DIVE of Episode 14 - 190 AD - Susanna and Concubines and Criminals and Catacombs

    0101 - DEEP DIVE of Episode 14 - 190 AD - Susanna and Concubines and Criminals and Catacombs
    Jan 31 2026
    Deep Dive: Susanna and Purity and Defiance (Revisiting Ep 14) Description: This COACH Deep Dive explores the fascinating backstory of Episode 14, where early Christians in 190 AD painted the story of Susanna on their catacomb walls. While the original episode focused on Susanna’s defiant refusal to sin, this discussion uncovers the complex and often ironic reality of the church during the reign of Emperor Commodus. We look at how a community dedicated to moral purity actually survived because of the political influence of Marcia, a Christian concubine living in the Emperor's palace. We dig into the "Marcia Paradox," showing how God used an unlikely protector to save the church. We also introduce Callistus, a former slave and convicted embezzler who became the administrator of the very catacombs where Susanna was painted. The discussion explains the risky practice of "spiritual marriage"—where virgins lived with men—and suggests that Susanna’s "walled garden" was painted as a warning to keep clear boundaries. Finally, we correct the common myth that catacombs were secret hideouts, revealing they were actually public places where Christians boldly claimed space. This deep dive challenges us to see how God works through broken people and messy situations to preserve His church. It reminds us that the ideal of purity and the reality of grace often go hand in hand. If you enjoy uncovering the hidden layers of church history, be sure to subscribe to COACH for more episodes. early church history, Roman Empire, Emperor Commodus, Marcia the Concubine, Callistus, Christian purity, Susanna and the Elders, Catacomb of Priscilla, spiritual marriage, biblical archaeology
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    35 min
  • FASTING DAY 14 - Looking For A Loophole

    FASTING DAY 14 - Looking For A Loophole
    Jan 31 2026
    FASTING DAY 14: Beaver Tails & Barnacle Geese – The Medieval Art of Loopholes Description: By the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church mandated fasting for over 100 days a year. Meat was forbidden during these times, but fish was allowed. This led to some of the most creative (and ridiculous) biology in history as people tried to find loopholes in the rules [Source 8: 44, 343-345]. In Day 14 of our history series, we take a humorous look at how desperation for food led theologians to classify beavers, geese, and giant rodents as "fish." We explore the medieval belief that "Barnacle Geese" hatched from driftwood barnacles (making them seafood) and the 17th-century ruling by the Sorbonne that allowed beaver tails to be eaten during Lent because they were scaly and aquatic [Source 8: 45-46, 346-349]. We also look at how the Vatican classified the South American Capybara as a fish for fasting purposes [Source 8: 46, 350-351]. This episode connects these historical oddities to Jesus's warning against nullifying God's word for the sake of human tradition [Source 8: 47, 353]. This history forces modern Christians to ask a serious question: Are we doing the same thing today? If you are fasting from food but drinking high-calorie milkshakes because "technically it's a liquid," you might be eating a spiritual beaver tail [Source 8: 355-357]. Join us to learn why God cares more about the spirit of your sacrifice than the technicalities of your rules. Keywords: Medieval fasting, Lenten loopholes, Barnacle Geese, eating beaver during Lent, Capybara fish, Catholic history, religious loopholes, hypocrisy, history of fasting, fasting rules.
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    12 min
  • FASTING DAY 13 - Fasting as Spiritual Warfare

    FASTING DAY 13 - Fasting as Spiritual Warfare
    Jan 30 2026
    FASTING DAY 13: A Weapon for the Valiant – Fasting as Spiritual Warfare Description: While yesterday we looked at fasting as internal cleansing, today we look at fasting as external combat. The early church did not view fasting as a passive activity; they saw it as aggressive spiritual warfare. In Day 13 of our history series, we explore why early leaders like St. Basil called fasting "a weapon for the valiant" and a "gymnasium for athletes." We see how they viewed fasting as essential training to strengthen the spirit against the attacks of the devil. We examine the teachings of St. Leo the Great, who declared that fasting "gives strength against sin" and "repels temptation." We connect this ancient wisdom to the biblical examples of Jesus in the wilderness and the church in Acts 13, where fasting was the preparation for spiritual battle. We discuss how treating fasting like a "gymnasium" trains your will to resist the enemy, just as an athlete trains their body for a contest. For modern Christians, this episode changes the way you view your hunger. You aren't just suffering through a diet; you are reloading a weapon. We challenge you to stop thinking of your fast as passive self-denial and start using it as active spiritual combat to protect your soul and your family. Keywords: Spiritual warfare, fasting for breakthrough, St. Basil, St. Leo the Great, spiritual discipline, armor of God, resisting temptation, Christian history, gymnasium for athletes, Acts 13.
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    12 min