This blog cites a Muller article on how Calvin interpreted the Bible more literally than Medieval Fathers, but like other Reformers pointed to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy and held to some use of allegory.
Category: church history
Greek Orthodoxy. Rick Steves Travel
Steves visits with an Orthodox priest and describes why their look and service seem foreign to western Christians.
Acts Seminar Report. Acts and Christian Beginnings
This link takes you to a description of the Acts Seminar, which is a critical study group similar to the Jesus Seminar that became famous for voting on whether or not they believed that Jesus actually said something recorded in the Gospels.
These seminars are examples of subjective, critical scholarship using the tools of democracy to foster agreement among themselves. They usually date events late, pushing Christian beginnings into the second century. They are a remnant of earlier critics whose views were reined in by the influence of archaeology. The page also includes a link to a review.
New Translation of Cyril’s Commentary on John. Early Church
Maxwell has completed the second volume from Cyril, an important figure in early Christian discussion of the doctrine of Christ.
Concordia Theology » David Maxwell’s New Translation of Cyril’s Commentary on John.
Pope Francis Brands Armenian Killings ‘Genocide.’ Turkey Protests.
We are approaching the 100th anniversary of this horrible event. Pope Francis has likely characterized it correctly, though it will be a sore spot in modern diplomacy. Lord, have mercy.
Turkey protests to Pope Francis after he brands Armenian killings ‘genocide’ – Telegraph.
Yale Profs Call “Gospel of Jesus’ Wife” a Forgery
In 2012 this purported fragment of a Coptic manuscript made headlines because in the text Jesus referred to “My wife.” Yale professors now conclude that it is a forgery. The article explains how they have reached that conclusion.
Why would a forger create this so-called Gospel? Likely motives include issues of women’s rights in the church such as the recent decision of the Church of England to ordain women bishops.
Nazarene University. Theistic Evolution
This article describes the running issue of whether theistic evolution should be taught in universities of the Church of the Nazarene, a debate sparked by more progressive Evangelicals.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: 70th Anniversary of the Execution
Bonhoeffer’s personal commitment to his beliefs, which brought on his martyrdom, have made him one of the most noteworthy theologians of recent years. However, he is claimed by a variety of theological groups such as liberals, neo-orthodox, Evangelicals, and traditional Lutherans.
Pitting Evolution against Creationism. Book Review
Jim Fletcher reviews Inside the Nye-Ham Debate, which took place at the Creation Museum. The debate is the latest installment in the century old dialogue between evangelicals and modernists.
Must Christianity Change its Sexual Ethics? History May Hold the Key
A good essay built from recent church history. The author also points out that Christians outside Europe and the United States—where the growth is taking place—still hold to biblical doctrine and practice as standards.








