1688 HT: Dan Graves An estimated eighteen thousand Scots Covenanters died for their faith between 1660, when the Restoration made Charles II monarch of England, and 1688, when the “Glorious Revolution” brought William III and Mary to the throne. Covenanters believed that Jesus, not any earthly king, was head of the church. For this they…
1497 HT: Dan Graves NEXT TO MARTIN LUTHER, one man did more than all others to create Lutheran theology. That was Philip Melanchthon, who was born on this day, 16 February 1497 in the little town of Bretten, Germany. Someone noted that the time was six minutes after 7 p.m. He had godly parents, his father…
Of his latest article about Scottish missionaries, Paul James-Griffiths of Christian Heritage Edinburgh writes, “Usually I write shorter articles of about 600-700 words, but I just could not do justice to Mary Slessor, the missionary who went to Nigeria, with so few words. This time, I’m guilty of writing over 2,000 words! I hope you don’t mind.…
1860 HT: Christian History Institute James Hudson Taylor became a Christian at seventeen through reading a tract, and determined to become a missionary to China. In preparation for this he studied Mandarin, Bible languages, Latin, and medicine. He arrived in China in 1854 and was greeted by two catastrophes in quick succession—a fire destroyed his…
1717 HT: Diane Severance Throughout their history, the Welsh have been great singers; and hymns have been among their favorite songs. One of their most popular hymns is “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah.” Crowds at rugby matches or other gatherings have been known to break out singing it. On this day, February 11, l7l7 was born…
1555 HT: Dan Graves All John Hooper wanted to do was to pray. He went to bed at five the evening before, then rose early, on this day, February 9, 1555, so that he might pray in the early hours of the morning. When it was light, he asked that no one be allowed into his…
356 HT: Christianity.com The historic Christian faith was forged in turbulent times and under perilous conditions. The creeds and doctrines that shaped our Christian identity emerged from intense theological battles. There were times of physical violence in the process of defining the central teachings of the faith. For example, the question of exactly who Jesus was. Here…
Paul James-Griffiths of Christian Heritage Edinburgh writes, “This week’s article is about Alexander MacKay, the missionary to Uganda. Despite dying of malaria at age 40, he left an enormous legacy there. His story is one of gritty determination, God’s grace, suffering and breakthrough. May his story inspire us all.” The missionary, overwhelmed with grief, labour and sleeplessness,…
1945 HT: Christian History Institute BUCHENWALD was among the first and largest of the German concentration camps. Although it was not officially an extermination camp, a large number of its inmates died from overwork and starvation, or by execution, torture, and cruel experiments. On this day 7 February 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was transferred from Tegel…
1564 HT: Christianity.com On this day, February 6, 1564, an era came to an end. The man who had done as much as any other to forge the theology of the Reformation, preached his last sermon. Unable to walk, John Calvin was carried to church in a chair. His mouth filled with blood as he spoke and…