Centrally Speaking

Christmas Carols - Then and Now

At Christmas time, many will recognize that the church speaks about the birth of Jesus. As part of the celebration, Christians also sing Christmas carols. These used to be prominent in western society, but they are heard much less frequently outside of the church. In this podcast, we interview Sally House, the Director of Music at the Central Schwenkfelder Church and someone who has instructed about music for over 30 years in the school system nearby. We ask her questions about great carols such as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Joy to the World," and "Silent Night."  Then, she discusses lesser known carols like "Of the Father's Love Begotten" and "Lo, how a Rose E'er Blooming." At the end of the podcast, she compares carols like these with what is heard in offices and department stores today. #Christmascarols  #SilentNight  #Christmasmusic2025 #Schwenkfelderchoir  #UnitedSchwenkfelderchoir Centrally Speaking is a ministry of Central Schwenkfelder Church in Lansdale, PA USA. Website: www.cscfamily.org

Religious Persecution and a Christian Response to It

Many are recognizing that religious persecution is a problem. While this knowledge is increasing, the understanding has not led to persecution decreasing. In this podcast, we interview Prof. dr. Janet Epp Buckingham about these problems. As someone who is serving as the Director of the World Evangelical Alliance Geneva Office since September 2024 and previously as WEA Director of Global Advocacy, she is repeatedly raising awareness of this issue. In these roles, Janet advocates at the United Nations with national evangelical alliances. In this podcast, Prof. Buckingham provides statistics about religious persecution, gives reasons for why Christians are persecuted more than other religions, shares about certain countries where religious persecution is most intense, and suggests several ways for Christians to be involved in assisting those who are being persecuted. #religiouspersecution #christianpersecution #supportforthosepersecuted #internationaldayofprayerpersecutedchurch Centrally Speaking is a ministry of Central Schwenkfelder Church in Lansdale, PA USA. Website: www.cscfamily.org

The Rising Influence of Islam in Marseille, France: A Christian Missionary's Perspective

Migration is one of the largest issues of our time. More than ever before nations and faiths are encountering each other in unexpected ways. This is taking place in Marseille, the oldest city in France. In this southern city, many from North Africa have settled bringing a different worldview. Marseille now has many Muslims who intermingle with those who are Catholic or atheist. Craig Young has been observing this trend for over 35 years. As a missionary, he has befriended those from both North African and French backgrounds. He and his wife Katie lead the church Chapelle de Fuveau (https://www.chapelledefuveau.fr/) which straddles two neighborhoods in France of different backgrounds.  #migrationFrance  #IslamChristianityMarseille  #CatholicFranceMuslim  #CatholicIslamFrance  #atheistMuslimFrance Centrally Speaking is a ministry of Central Schwenkfelder Church in Lansdale, PA USA. Website: www.cscfamily.org

God is for Me: A Study of God's Heart through the Stories of Women in Scripture

Abuse happens in many places throughout our society. Does God have a word for those who are feeling manipulated? In her upcoming book, That God is For Me: A Study of God’s Heart Through the Stories of Women in Scripture, Lisa Radcliff points to several stories in the Bible that display his heart for those who have been misused. Lisa Radcliff is an award-winning author, speaker, and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. (website: https://lisajradcliff.com/). Lisa and her husband, Doug, have been married for over 40 years, raising three sons and enjoying their nine grandchildren. She and her husband grew up at the Central Schwenkfelder Church. #gettingbeyondabuse  #churchabuse  #Godisforme  #God'sheartforwomen  #womenintheBible  #womenBible Centrally Speaking is a ministry of Central Schwenkfelder Church in Lansdale, PA USA. Website: www.cscfamily.org

What is Involved with Bible Translation?

How were the ancient writings that compose our Bible translated into our current English Bibles? In this podcast, we ask Dr. Scott Hafemann who was a part of the translation committee for the New International Version translation of the Bible about this process. In his answers, he speaks about the earliest English translations, the King James Version, and the New International Version. His answers also share about his experience serving on a translation committee. Scott Hafemann was formerly a reader of New Testament at Saint Andrews University in Scotland, the Gerald Hawthorne Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, and the Mary Rockefeller Professor of New Testament at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.  #bibletranslation  #Bibletranslationcommittee  #NIVtranslation  #ESVtranslation Centrally Speaking is a ministry of Central Schwenkfelder Church in Lansdale, PA USA. Website: www.cscfamily.org