Podcast Episode 41
St John of Damascus
with Father Jack Kahlil & host Nick Walters
This episode of This Week in Christian History continues the mission of sharing the stories, people, and events that have shaped the global Christian experience. Each week, the program brings together thoughtful conversation, serious historical engagement, and a commitment to helping listeners see how the past remains relevant today. The episode features host Nick Walters, founder and director of the Center for Christian History at Mississippi College, joined by an expert guest for the Deep Dive segment. The interview provides historical context and scholarly insight to help listeners better appreciate important figures, traditions, controversies, and movements across the centuries.
In this episode, Nick is joined by Dr. Jack Khalil of the University of Balamand, an internationally respected scholar whose work includes biblical studies, patristics, and the history of Christian thought in the Middle East. His expertise makes him an ideal guide for exploring the life, writings, and influence of St. John of Damascus, one of the most important theological voices of the early medieval era. St. John’s defense of icons, his synthesis of Christian doctrine, and his position as a bridge between ancient and medieval theology have earned him recognition across Christian traditions. Through this conversation, listeners are introduced to the world in which St. John lived, the issues he confronted, and the reasons his work continues to shape Christian theology.
The episode also maintains the show’s tradition of highlighting historical events tied to this week. The first highlight focuses on December 2, 1697, when St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was dedicated. Designed by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire destroyed the previous structure, the rebuilt cathedral became one of the defining landmarks of England’s capital city. It has served as the mother church of the Diocese of London and hosted significant national moments, including the funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Its iconic dome remains one of the most recognizable features of the London skyline.
The second highlight takes listeners to December 6, 1829, and the missionary work of William Carey in India. Carey spent his life laboring among the people of Bengal and encountered the long-standing practice of sati, in which widows were burned alive on their husbands’ funeral pyres. After years of advocacy and translation work, Carey learned on a Sunday morning that the practice had been outlawed. He immediately set aside preaching to translate the new law into Bengali so the people could understand it and so lives could be saved. This moment reflects the intersection of Christian mission, linguistic work, and social reform.
Listeners will find that the Deep Dive interview, the historical highlights, and the weekly exploration of Christian memory work together to create an accessible and engaging program. This Week in Christian History continues to serve students, teachers, churches, and anyone interested in how the global Christian story has unfolded across continents and centuries. With its commitment to accuracy, expert voices, and a week-by-week approach to historical storytelling, the podcast remains a reliable and enriching resource.
Image citation: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons, “John Damascene (14th c. Greek).”
