The Post Nicene Church Fathers

This engaging podcast episode features Dr. Rachel Chen and Bishop Andy Lewter exploring the profound contributions of seven pivotal Post-Nicene Church Fathers who shaped early Christianity following the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The conversation illuminates how Athanasius defended Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism through multiple exiles, how John Chrysostom's "golden mouth" combined powerful preaching with fearless advocacy for the poor, and how Jerome's Vulgate translation became the standard Latin Bible for over a millennium. The discussion highlights Ambrose of Milan's remarkable journey from unbaptized governor to influential bishop who challenged imperial power, Basil the Great's theological refinement of Trinitarian doctrine alongside his pioneering social welfare work, Eusebius's invaluable preservation of early church history despite his theological ambiguities, and Augustine of Hippo's towering intellectual legacy encompassing everything from spiritual autobiography to political theology and the doctrine of grace. Throughout the conversation, both scholars emphasize how these diverse figures—fighter, preacher, scholar, statesman, organizer, historian, and philosopher—collectively transformed Christianity from a persecuted minority into a dominant religious and intellectual force while acknowledging their human flaws and the ongoing relevance of their insights for contemporary Christian faith and practice.