Have you ever read the “Apology of Patriarch Timothy of Baghdad before Caliph Mahdi?” If not, prepare thyself for some incredible if not mind-numbing dialogue!
Scene: In 780 the missionary-minded bishop Timothy joined the King of Baghdad (the new Islamic capital) in a two-day interreligious dialogue. The topic, of course, was Trinity. The following is an especially exciting excerpt from this discourse: Read More
A timely, relevant, and inspired word for today lifted from the Declaration of Sentiments Adopted by the Peace Convention (composed by William Lloyd Garrison, September 28, 1838): Read More
My pastor, friend, colleague, and mentor, John Hawbaker sent me a fantastic 1st person narrative presentation based upon the life of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. This narrative was performed dramatically during Sunday morning services at Manor Brethren in Christ Church. Soon, John will have his own blog where you will be able to find more of his personal musings, writings, and sermon excerpts. He will be a most welcome addition to the BIC wing of the Christian blogosphere. His knowledge of the BIC’s heritage (Anabaptism, Wesleyanism, and Pietism) is profound and his 25+ years of faithful Christian service as pastor and bishop are laden with practical experiences that will undoubtedly edify leaders for generations to come. So, Brother John is preparing to start a blog and begin recording. The socially networked and information affable time in which we all are living is incredible! Read More
Early medieval Christianization mimicked the methodology and philosophy of empire expansion more than the evangelistic processes of the early or primitive church.
Christianity had been thoroughly absorbed into Rome and mirrored almost all of its ethnocentric prejudices by 500 C.E. The 600’s saw an almost complete superimposition of a curiously familiar sociopolitical philosophy and procedure over religious ideology, duty, and mission. The result was a systemic sort of Christianization, rather than compassion driven evangelization. Approved belief and creedal perfection replaced the original movement toward diverse unification and care for the needs and souls of neighbors. The Church became a new kingdom cut from a fading empire’s cloth. Read More
Some of the most vivid examples of religion perpetuating empire can be found in the historic documentation concerning the Christian emperor Charlemagne and the conquest of the Saxons. Christian conversion - if the following documents are accurate representations of historic events - was not encouraged during the early medieval period, but rather forced upon a subjugated people. Read More
The conflict created by Zwingli’s dedication to radical reformation was a direct result of his strong belief in a practical Christianity. Zwingli would do his part in the reformation effort, or die trying. He did both. Read More
Early modern writers acted upon the basic rational, social, and individualistic impulses during the 16th century religious reformation and thus radicalized intellectual, theological, and philosophical issues concerning authority in a manner that traveled far beyond the intentions of the original reformers - who were merely dedicated to the adjustment of religious practice and not the actual modification of basic belief, doctrine, or theology. Read More
The Apostolic Father Irenaeus (125 - c. 202), Bishop of Lyons and Catholic theologian, writes “Adversus Haereses,” or “Against the Heresies,” in direct religious opposition to the Gnostics, a group considered heretical. Read More
The late medieval period of the Catholic Church can be best described with two words: severely fraudulent. Writers during this unfortunate period in Christian history were seeking a drastic and absolutely necessary reformation from the top down. In other words, they desired an ethical change in ecclesiastical leadership which would benefit the masses by making authentic Christianity available to them once again. These writers were not afraid to speak out against ecclesiastic indulgence, injustice, corruption, and folly. Much can be learned about late medieval Christianity through a perusing of the works of its staunchest critics. Read More
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