Podcast Episode 21
Jan Hus
with Dr. David Irving & host Nick Walters
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This episode of This Week in Christian History features an interview with Nick Walters, founder of the Center for Christian History at Mississippi College, along with a Deep Dive examining one of the most pivotal moments in the early Reformation era. Each episode brings together a leading scholar, two carefully selected historical highlights from the same week, and a wider reflection on how the global Christian story has unfolded through centuries of devotion, conflict, mission work, and spiritual renewal. This format helps listeners explore the richness of Christian history while also connecting individual events to the larger movements that have shaped the worldwide church.
The Deep Dive scholar for this episode is Dr. David T. Irving of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Irving serves as President and Assistant Professor of Church History and Pastoral Theology at RTS Jackson. His academic training and teaching focus on the development of Christian doctrine, the history of the Church, and the men and women whose lives and sacrifices defined the faith. In this episode he provides expert insight into the death of Jan Hus, the Bohemian priest and reformer whose execution in 1415 became one of the most defining turning points in pre-Reformation Europe. Hus challenged corruption, emphasized Scripture as the ultimate authority, and inspired a generation who carried his teachings forward long after his death. His martyrdom at the Council of Constance ignited a movement that shaped the spiritual landscape of Central Europe and laid essential groundwork for later Protestant reformers.
Listeners will also encounter two historical highlights from this week in Christian history, each offering a window into the global breadth of Christian witness.
On July 3, 1843, newlyweds Justus and Calista Vinton set sail from Boston for Burma (modern-day Myanmar), beginning a 160-day voyage that marked the start of one of the most remarkable missionary callings of the nineteenth century. Both believed God had entrusted them with a mission to reach the unreached Burmese peoples, and both became fluent in the local language. Their dedication to evangelism was so strong that they spent much of their married life apart, leading separate teams in order to encounter twice as many people for the sake of the Gospel. Their work among Burmese communities shaped the spread of Christianity in the region, and both ultimately died in Burma after decades devoted to mission and service.
Another significant moment occurred on July 4, 1832, when the patriotic hymn “My Country ’Tis of Thee” was first sung by a children’s choir at Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts. The song, written by Reverend Samuel F. Smith while he was a student at Andover Theological Seminary, was set to the same tune as “God Save the King.” Smith later became a Baptist minister and was a Harvard classmate of Oliver Wendell Holmes. The hymn quickly became a cherished expression of American identity and Christian gratitude, especially within patriotic celebrations connected to the Fourth of July. Park Street Church, long recognized for its historic role in missions, abolitionism, and revival preaching, stands today as a significant landmark in both American and Christian history.
This episode continues the series’ commitment to long-form storytelling, scholarly depth, and an accessible presentation of major Christian figures, missionary movements, and cultural milestones. By pairing a Deep Dive from a respected scholar with weekly highlights across global Christian history, each episode encourages deeper reflection on how the faith has been lived out in different cultures, countries, and eras. The aim is to help viewers understand not only what happened, but how these events contributed to the enduring witness of Christianity across centuries. With episodes designed for students, pastors, researchers, and casual listeners alike, the series offers a growing archive of Christian-focused historical memory.
Picture credit: Jan Hus Monument, Old Town Square, Prague. Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons.
