A Podcast All About Christianity
Is there a difference between the groups that identify as Anabaptist and those who identify as Baptist? After all, both teach baptism by immersion for believers. They both were even active in the same area of Europe. It is true that they have much in common but they are two very different groups. The term … Read More “What’s the Difference Between Anabaptists and Baptists?” »
Preachers will commonly describe the “conversion” of Paul (Saul) on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. But was this truly a conversion? It depends on how you define “conversion.” Paul is sometimes presented as converting from Judaism to Christianity. That is not exactly accurate and I don’t think that Paul would have understood that … Read More “Was Paul “Converted” On the Road to Damascus?” »
Every once in a while, I come across a book that I wish I had when I began my seminary studies. Doing Church History by Gordon Heath is one of those books. This book is not an introduction to church history but, as the title suggests, an introduction to doing church history. This short book … Read More “Doing Church History – Review” »
A book that has sat on my shelf for some time is From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White. Since I am interested in both the New Testament and the early church, it was right up my alley. In truth I found the book disappointing. White is a knowledgable scholar and a good writer. … Read More “From Jesus to Christianity – Review” »
One of the required texts when I studied Church History at McMaster Divinity College was A History of the Christian Church by Williston Walker. I read it back then and just reread it recently. I would say it that it is a pretty good introduction to Christian history. It definitely has its limitations though. One … Read More “A History of the Christian Church – Review” »
The term ‘fundamentalism’ is thrown around a lot, usually as an insult. If you encounter a religious person who is more conservative than what you would like, you might accuse them of being a fundamentalist. However, fundamentalism has a specific meaning, at least originally, that many people are unaware of. The 19th and early 20th … Read More “What is Fundamentalism?” »
One of the most influential figures in what we know as evangelicalism was Billy Graham. There is no preacher today who has the influence that Graham back in the mid-20th century. This video is from Billy Graham’s 1957 New York Crusade.
Pentecostalism takes its name from the event at Pentecost as described in Acts 2. In that passage, there was coming of the Holy Spirit that was accompanied by speaking in tongues. Pentecostals identify with that experience and seek it for their own life. The origin of Pentecostalism is often traced back to Azusa Street Revival … Read More “What is Pentecostalism?” »
Docetism was a doctrine in the early years of the Christian church that claimed that Jesus didn’t have a physical body. The name comes from the Greek dókēsis which means “to seem.” It refers to the belief that Jesus only seemed to have a physical body. This seems to be present very early on. This may be … Read More “What is Docetism?” »
Heresies have been connected to Christianity from the beginning. Because this is a historical more than theological blog, I’m defining a heresy as a smaller group breaking off from the main group with significantly different doctrines. Some time ago I taught a course on what are often called cults or sects. I was amazed at … Read More “Heresies: Now and Then” »
