Jun 6
The Reformation is a hot topic with the likes of the New Calvinists. How should we approach the Reformation today? The two textbooks for our study tour have a lot to teach us.
Apr 30
Yesterday, Ridley launched its Jonathan Edwards Center. It was a great evening, paying tribute to a man who is regarded as “one of the greatest minds in North American history, and has had an enduring legacy in theology, philosophy, politics and social engagement” to quote the founder of the center in Australia, Rhys Bezzant. During the lecture, a great deal was made of Sarah, Jonathan Edwards’ wife and it got me thinking.
These two posts cover 10 factors behind the remarkable growth of the Christian church in its first 500 years and beyond. (See Part 1.)
Each factor has important implications for how we think about mission and the church today.
It’s part history and part sociology. The material comes from a missiology lecture by Rhys Bezzant at Ridley.
A book like Rodney Stark’s The Rise of Christianity is another good starting place.
Mar 8
These two posts cover 10 factors behind the remarkable growth of the Christian church in its first 500 years and beyond.
Each factor has important implications for how we think about mission and the church today.
It’s part history and part sociology. The material comes from a missiology lecture by Rhys Bezzant at Ridley.
Dec 17
From current day reforming groups (complete with a Facebook page!) to my former pastor who had his picture on his study door, Thomas Cranmer is a bit of a favourite with Anglicans. After all, he was the architect of the beloved Anglican prayer book and has been credited with the English Reformation. Yet, I can’t help but wonder whether admiration of him is somewhat misplaced.
Dec 3
This year at college I wrote an essay for Church History on the Gnostic and canonical Gospels. While it’s an interest area for me, I continue to be amazed by how often it comes up in pop culture and general conversations with all kinds of people. So I thought maybe it would be useful to post the essay. The question was, “In form and content, how are the Gnostic Gospels of the second century distinct from the canonical Gospels?”
