The Incredible Journey: "Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, is a Christian hero for many. Executed by the Nazis just days before the end of WWII for his participation in a plot to assassinate Hitler, Bonhoeffer is hailed as a 20th-century martyr. But Bonhoeffer struggled with a moral dilemma – his religious views were in stark … Continue reading Bonhoeffer: True Christian Martyrdom
Christians
Applying the Philosophy of Roman Historian Boethius to Contemporary Times
Reflecting on the beliefs of the Roman historian Boethius in a wheel of fate and fortune and applying it to 20th and 21st-century history, my friend Bruce Johnson wrote in an email: Britain in the 1950s and 1960s felt angst over the loss of its once dominant World Power position. France felt a similar pain over … Continue reading Applying the Philosophy of Roman Historian Boethius to Contemporary Times
Roman Historian Boethius Explained the Fate of Nations and Empires
The Roman senator, consul, and historian Boethius (c. 480–524 AD) explained the fate of nations, empires, and societies more than a millennium and a half ago in his immortal treatise On the Consolidation of Philosophy. My friend Bruce Johnson explained in an email: The ups and downs of secular cultures are controlled by "the wheel of … Continue reading Roman Historian Boethius Explained the Fate of Nations and Empires
Origin of the Papacy in Christianity
Centre Place offers online lectures and discussions on history, theology, philosophy, religious studies, comparative religion, neuroscience, and more. It is based in Toronto, CA. Here's one on the origin of the papacy. "The Papal monarchy is an institution with ancient roots. Presently the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican City State, prior … Continue reading Origin of the Papacy in Christianity
Shots Fired At Inter-Racial Party in Small-town NC, 1969 Echo Through The Years
As part of my ongoing series on how baby boomers are processing or reconciling their formative experiences on race, I stumbled upon Holydiscomfort.com, by Karen Bryant Shipp, "love letters to the church" (on) religion, social justice, anti-racism. In the summer of 1969 near Wake Forest, NC, shots were fired into her home, the Baptist Church … Continue reading Shots Fired At Inter-Racial Party in Small-town NC, 1969 Echo Through The Years
2 Diametrically Opposed Southern Baptist Leaders on Church-State Issues Die Within Days
Two Southern Baptist ministers with diametrically opposed views on the relationship between church and state -- Pat Robertson of Virginia Beach, VA and C. Welton Gaddy of Monroe, LA -- died recently. Robertson (1930-2023) started the Christian Broadcasting Network and Liberty University, and advocated for a theocratic perspective on the relationship between church and state. … Continue reading 2 Diametrically Opposed Southern Baptist Leaders on Church-State Issues Die Within Days
Galahad, Perceval, and the Holy Grail
Crash Course World Mythology: "In which Mike Rugnetta quests for knowledge of the Holy Grail of Mythology. Which is the actual, literal Holy Grail! The cup of Christ! Legends about the Holy Grail are often connected to the British legends of King Arthur, and this episode is definitely about this. Except we’re not talking much … Continue reading Galahad, Perceval, and the Holy Grail
Was George Washington Religious?
Religion for Breakfast is an educational Youtube channel "dedicated to the academic, nonsectarian study of religion. We promote improving the public's religious literacy by exploring humanity's beliefs and rituals through an anthropological, sociological, and archaeological lens. Religion for Breakfast does not endorse any particular religious tradition or non-religious perspective. Please be respectful in the comments! … Continue reading Was George Washington Religious?
Voices of the Past: Roman Philosopher in 177 AD Complains About ‘Weird’ New Religion, Christianity
Voices of the Past Youtube Channel, with more than 49 million views, "is an attempt to tell the story of our species through the written accounts of the very people who lived through it." This episode quotes a Roman philosopher Celsus, who criticized a silly new religion called Christianity as a threat to the stability … Continue reading Voices of the Past: Roman Philosopher in 177 AD Complains About ‘Weird’ New Religion, Christianity
How Did the Orthodox World React to the Protestant Reformation?
History Matters: "When the Protestant Reformation happened, the Catholic Church had an unsurprisingly negative reaction. But what about the other major Christian denomination at the time. How did the Orthodox Church react to the Protestant Reformation? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgYWbWUmLKE
Teaching History's Slender Threads, Including 'What Ifs', Almosts, Alternatives and Turning Points 