Podcast Episode 16
Joan of Arc
with Dr. Daniel Hobbins & host Nick Walters
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This episode of This Week in Christian History continues the work of the Center for Christian History at Mississippi College, an initiative committed to bringing accessible, research-driven conversations about the Christian past to a broad public audience. The series is produced with the involvement of Mississippi College students and Blue and Gold Media, and each episode reflects the Center’s mission to foster historical literacy, elevate trusted scholarship, and highlight the meaningful ways Christian history continues to shape the modern world. Nick Walters, founder and director of the Center for Christian History, anchors every episode with a focus on clear storytelling and strong academic partnerships that help bring the Christian story to life for listeners.
Episode 16 features a Deep Dive interview examining the martyrdom of Joan of Arc, one of the most recognizable and discussed figures in Christian memory. Joan’s trial, execution, and lasting legacy have inspired centuries of debate, devotion, and scholarship. In keeping with the format of the program, the episode does not summarize the interview itself but instead highlights the expertise of the invited scholar. This week’s Deep Dive guest is Dr. Daniel Hobbins of the University of Notre Dame, a historian of medieval Europe known for his work on Joan of Arc, textual culture, and the documentary record of the late Middle Ages. Through his scholarship and public engagement, Dr. Hobbins has contributed significantly to modern understanding of Joan’s world, her trial, and the ways her memory was reshaped over time.
This Week in Christian History always pairs its Deep Dive segment with two historical highlights drawn from the same calendar week. These serve as anchor points for listeners, offering glimpses into the diverse ways Christian leaders, movements, and events have influenced societies over many generations. This structure helps the Center for Christian History fulfill its mission of bringing together rigorous scholarship, public engagement, and meaningful storytelling in each weekly installment.
The first highlight for this episode is May 31, 1803. On that date, Presbyterians appointed Reverend Gideon Blackburn as their first missionary to the American Indians. Blackburn was a compelling figure on the early American frontier, known for preaching with unusual intensity and theatrical power. One report described him holding the attention of more than fifteen hundred people for two hours during a rainstorm, a testament to his presence and his reputation as one of the era’s most dynamic voices. Over a forty-year ministry that stretched from Illinois to Alabama, he founded schools and churches as settlement expanded across the continent. His legacy, however, is mixed. Evidence suggests he may have smuggled whiskey and engaged in land speculation, two activities that damaged his standing within the Presbyterian Church. Nevertheless, he remains a figure of interest in understanding the complexities of frontier missions, Native relations, and the growth of Christian institutions during the westward expansion of the United States.
The second highlight is May 27, 1944. Ten days before the D-Day invasion, the first Youth for Christ rally was held in Chicago at Orchestra Hall. The preacher that day was Billy Graham, serving as Youth for Christ’s first full-time staff member. This rally helped launch a movement that would spread around the world and played an important role in shaping mid-twentieth-century evangelical ministry. For Billy Graham, the event marked an early step toward his emergence as one of the most influential Christian apologists and evangelists of the century, someone whose ministry would eventually reach millions across the globe through preaching, radio, film, international crusades, and interdenominational cooperation. The Chicago rally stands as a reminder of how small, local initiatives can grow into global Christian movements whose impact stretches far beyond their original context.
By presenting expert interviews alongside verified historical highlights provided by the project, This Week in Christian History offers listeners a structured way to explore the richness, breadth, and depth of the Christian past. The involvement of Mississippi College students ensures the Center’s work is not only academically grounded but also rooted in hands-on learning and public scholarship. Under the leadership of founder and director Nick Walters, the Center for Christian History continues to broaden access to serious Christian historical study while strengthening connections between campus, church, and community.
Photo citation: Statue of Joan of Arc by Emmanuel Frémiet, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jeanne_d%27Arc_Emmanuel_Fremiet.jpg]
