The long list of participants also included leaders from the Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahá’í faiths and opened with a Navajo blessing.
1.20.2017
CHR Comment: The article describes the history of the service, going back to President Washington. In recent times, the service in no longer specifically Christian but includes prayers from various faiths, invoking various gods.
Book Review Comments
John J. McKay’s Discovering the Mammoth: A Tale of Giants, Unicorns, Ivory, and the Birth of a New Science (New York: Pegasus Books Ltd., 2017) describes the history of paleontology by tracing the history of the discovery of mammoth bones. The first part of the book provides some references to ancient and medieval Christian views and many connections to early modern, Christian views of giants, unicorns, and the biblical flood as people discovered the bones of large animals and tried to make sense of them. Mammoth bones were often associated with giants (cf. Genesis 6) and unicorns (as per the King James Bible translation and other resources). German scientists were especially involved in the modern period as they had greater access to Russia and Siberia.
The book is fun to read. However, the text has so many typos, one wonders what editorial process was used. Many of these typos should have been noticed by an alert reader. Perhaps the editors used some software based process that sped up work but in the end did not achieve the best results.
One of the group’s three remaining worshippers, Sister Frances Carr, 89, died Monday.
Source: There Are Now Only Two Living Members of the Shaker Faith | Mental Floss
A theologically more correct model will be available in March.
CHR Comment: “Ende” would simply mean the reader is at the last page for that part of the book. It is not intended as a theological statement about the Hebrew Scriptures.
Source: Tiny Martin Luther toy triggers claims of anti-Semitism
An appeal by a Catholic priest kidnapped in Yemen by Islamic extremists last March surfaced over the holidays.
While out exploring during the festival, spelunkers uncover ancient limestone carving of seven-branched menorah, a cross and other etchings dating to late Roman, Byzantine periods
Source: Hanukkah hikers find rare 2nd Temple-era etchings of menorah and cross | The Times of Israel
(RNS) Nearly 91 percent of members of the 115th Congress convening Tuesday (Jan. 3) describe themselves as Christian, according to a new analysis by Pew Research Center.
Source: Religious makeup of the new Congress overwhelmingly Christian | Religion News Service
A second article provides some analysis.
CHR Comment: The royal watchers give us a little history of Queen Elizabeth’s piety. Funny.
Source: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth misses church again due to heavy cold | Reuters
In the 17th century, scientists used physics to explain the miracles described in the Bible.
CHR Comment: Biblical studies and scientific studies were not always regarded as conflicting. One might imagine at least three different relationships between the two disciplines: (1) Bible centered, (2) science centered, and (3) a sort of binary orbit where the disciplines orbit their common ground.
(RNS) As Christians prepared to mark 500 years since Martin Luther — one of history’s great heretics, or heroes, depending on your point of view — 2016 found them debating theological questions most thought had been settled a millennium ago.
CHR Comment: A helpful summary of theological issues that made headlines, showing that Christians are still quite able and willing to argue about doctrine. Although some might regard this as tragic, one might also note that people argue about things they care about most (which is why religion and politics are often off the menu for family holidays). Ironically, the opening illustration about Luther being either a heretic or hero is going by the wayside as both Roman Catholic and Lutheran leaders discuss the great reformer’s legacy.
Source: Top 5 ‘heresies’ of 2016: ‘One God,’ biblical authority and more
church history review 