Podcast Episode 23
The Great Schism
with Dr. Edward Siecienski & host Nick Walters
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Episode 23 of This Week in Christian History brings another engaging conversation with Nick Walters, founder of the Center for Christian History at Mississippi College. Each week, the podcast highlights stories, people, and events that shaped Christian faith across centuries, and this episode continues that purpose with a deep dive into one of the most formative turning points in church history.
This week’s expert guest is Dr. Edward Siecienski of Stockton University in New Jersey, a leading scholar on the Great Schism. The division between Eastern and Western Christianity remains one of the most significant events in the history of the church, influencing theology, worship, culture, and the global Christian landscape for nearly a thousand years. Dr. Siecienski’s expertise provides valuable context for understanding why the split occurred, how it unfolded, and how its legacy continues to influence conversations about Christian unity today. As always, the interview itself is not summarized here, but the episode emphasizes the importance of the Great Schism and the centuries of history behind it, offering listeners a chance to grow in their understanding of the story of the church.
Each episode also features historical highlights from the same week in Christian history.
One highlight focuses on July 15, 1779, the birthday of Clement Moore. Moore lived a life filled with scholarship, literature, and lasting cultural impact. A professor at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, he lectured on Greek and Oriental literature and maintained a deep connection to classical education and Christian learning. Moore also wrote the beloved Christmas poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” which became one of the most widely recognized works in American literary history. His family estate, which he named Chelsea, eventually lent its name to the well-known Manhattan neighborhood. Moore’s life reflects both academic achievement and enduring influence on the celebration of Christmas across American culture.
The second highlight remembers the life of Jane Austen, who died on July 18, 1817. Known around the world for works such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, Austen remains one of Britain’s most celebrated authors. Raised in the home of a Church of England minister, her novels are filled with characters whose integrity, moral clarity, and sense of duty reflect Christian ideals woven naturally into everyday life. Austen’s work continues to be studied for its insight into virtue, faith, character formation, and the social world of the early nineteenth century. Her death marked the end of a remarkable literary career that still shapes readers, scholars, and cultural conversations today.
Taken together, this episode brings listeners into the depth of Christian history through expert scholarship, weekly highlights, and the ongoing work of remembering how the global church grew, divided, reformed, and contributed to culture and society. The Great Schism shaped the identity of both Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, and the reflections in this episode invite listeners to better understand why this moment matters and how it continues to inform Christian identity. The historical highlights also remind us that Christian influence has shaped literature, education, and culture far beyond theological debate or ecclesiastical events. From the poetic legacy of Clement Moore to the literary contributions of Jane Austen, Christian history remains rich, broad, and filled with stories that continue to inspire.
This Week in Christian History is dedicated to bringing these stories forward, week after week, through expert voices, careful attention to historical detail, and a passion for making Christian history accessible. Whether exploring major turning points like the Great Schism or spotlighting literary figures shaped by faith, each episode is designed to help listeners think more deeply about how the past continues to guide and challenge the church today.
Image credit: “The Excommunication of Michael Cerularius.” Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons.
