It is interesting to learn how the books of the Bible, The Cannon, were determined. Sometime between AD 156 and 172 a man named Montanus appeared in Asia Minor. He and his two prophetesses, Prisca and Maximilla, went about prophesying in the name of the Spirit, and foretelling the speedy second coming of Christ. These… Continue reading The Biblical Canon
Category: History
The Hellenistic Christian Jews of Acts
After Jesus's death and resurrection, the first company of believers included Mary, Jesus' Mother, and other kinsman, along with the apostles. Since the whole company was Jewish they remained loyal for a time to the Jewish law and continued to worship in the synagogue and temple. Despite this they began facing some persecution over their… Continue reading The Hellenistic Christian Jews of Acts
The First Nazi Holocaust
Many people do not know that the first victims of the Nazi Holocaust were not the Jews (which started primarily in 1942) but the mentally and physically handicapped. It started with the decision to kill physically deformed newborns and small children in 1939. A group of "experts" were formed, operating under the name of "Reich… Continue reading The First Nazi Holocaust
O Holy Night
One of the most cherished Christmas songs we sing each year is "O Holy Night". It has an interesting history. In 1847, in a French village, the local priest asked the local wine commissioner, Placide Cappeau, a not-very-religious man, to write a poem for Christmas mass. It has been lost to history why the priest… Continue reading O Holy Night
Woodrow Wilson
The twenty-eighth President was the son of a Presbyterian Minister and was a Calvinist himself. He had a deep faith in God and His direction of the Elect, God's children. His Christian world view of love, charity, and justice impacted his life and Presidency. He was a Southern child during the end of the Civil… Continue reading Woodrow Wilson
Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood
Well over 50 million babies have been killed through abortion in the United States since the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. Many of these abortions are now performed by Planned Parenthood, an organization formed by Margaret Sanger. Her early days saw her as the publisher of the liberal newspaper, "The Women Rebel", which boasted… Continue reading Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood
Sargent Alvin C. York
This simple man became an celebrated hero, awarded the Medal of Honor, for his action in WWI. He was born in 1887, in the mountains of Tennessee's Cumberland plateau. He was poor and lived a rough and tough life until he was dramatically saved in a revival meeting. He became a devout believer. When he… Continue reading Sargent Alvin C. York
The Destruction of St Pierre
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatians 6:7. I recently returned from a cruise to the Southern Caribbean and visited the island of Martinique. I took a tour of the island which included a stop at the ruins of the former capital of St… Continue reading The Destruction of St Pierre
Silent Night
The Christmas Carol, Silent Night, was first sung on Christmas Eve of 1818. The assistant priest at the newly established parish of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf Salzburg Austria was Joseph Mohr. Earlier in the day he had handed over to the organist Franz Gruber a poem he had written in 1816 with the request to write… Continue reading Silent Night
Away in a Manger
Each year we see the familiar nativity scene during the Christmas season. It is a reminder of the "reason for the season" which is the birth of our Savior. I have fond memories as a child of being involved in my Christmas church play about Christ's birth in the manger (always cast as one of… Continue reading Away in a Manger
Jeremy Taylor
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) was a cleric in the Church of England who achieved fame as an author during the rule of Oliver Cromwell. He is frequently cited as one of the greatest prose writers in the English language. He was chaplain to King Charles I but later served time in prison after the Puritan parliament… Continue reading Jeremy Taylor
American Indians
Historically, American Indians (Native Americans) have been held in high honor among the majority of American society. Beginning with the first settlers to the "New World", Indians are depicted as honorable Peoples. The distinctively American holiday, Thanksgiving, includes the story of the Indians sharing food with the Pilgrims. The early westward explorers and settlers encountered… Continue reading American Indians
