Millions of pilgrims walk for days to celebrate the Feast of Guadalupe.
CHR Comment: Devotees process to the festival caring objects of devotion and specific prayer requests with hope for healing and other blessings. On December 12, 1531, a Mexican man reported the visitation of the Virgin Mary to him, which became the basis for the annual festival. The article includes fine photography by a national Geographic correspondent.
Source: Photos Reveal Mexico’s Colorful Virgin Mary Festival
From contentious early history to new scientific experiments, these facts will help you see this holiday fixture anew.
CHR Comment: The use of trees in Christmas celebrations first appeared in the medieval period in northern Europe, not during the era of the “Early Church” as the article states (the examples are from the Age of Orthodoxy after the Reformation). Christmas trees likely came from the customs of burning trees/logs during the darkest days of winter since the winter solstice falls near the time of Christmas (December 25). Although some church leaders opposed the use of the trees, others saw no harm in it. The second link, from the History Channel, provides further information.
Source: 11 Facts You Might Not Know About Christmas Trees | Mental Floss
http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees
CHR Comment: The Pope recently visited a Lutheran congregation in Rome. According to Rev. Martin Junge, president of the Lutheran World Federation, the last three popes have made such visits and relations are mending between Lutherans and Catholics, working toward intercommunion. Expect significant develops around the time of the 2017 anniversary of the Reformation.
Source: Catholics, Lutherans preparing joint Reformation anniversary event
Apparitions of the Virgin Mary, inspiring wonder and devotion among millions, have been tracked for centuries.
CHR Comment: A fantastic visual exploration of popular Roman Catholic piety. The infographic charts show how the number of sightings has increased in modern times, perhaps due to better recording and reporting. This illustrates how important new revelations are to Roman Catholics. I will add a link to this on the maps page of Church History Review.
Don Carson, John Piper, and Tim Keller discuss the ongoing relevance of the Reformation for ministry today.
CHR Comment: A brief panel discussion by American Evangelicals considering the ongoing importance of Protestantism after 500 years. Most of the comments are about Luther and Calvin, especially Calvin. The panelists helpfully point out that the Reformers restored the role of primary source study and preaching to Christianity in general, guaranteeing their importance from the Reformation forward. They also mention excesses of the Reformers that should be avoided.
Source: Keller, Piper, and Carson on Why the Reformation Matters Today
Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot; I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.
CHR Comment: The infamous gunpowder plot of 1605 is still widely remembered and observed in England though the activities are less about faith than frolic these days. The town of Lewes also remembers the martyrdom of 17 Protestants at this time by hosting huge bonfires.
Source: Q&A: Remember, remember the fifth of November. Who is Guy Fawkes anyway?
Described as the fastest-growing religious movement in the Americas, the cult of Santa Muerte is about seeking safe passage to the afterlife.
CHR Comment: Blessed Reformation Day! This is a great example of syncretism in Mexican culture, where the Mayan religion involved human sacrifice and mixed with ideas from Catholicism. Thankfully, the Roman Catholic Church regards this as blasphemous. Unfortunately, the actions of conquistadors from that area were likewise dishonoring to the Lord.
Source: Day Of The Dead 2015: Santa Muerte Worshippers Prepare Festivities To Celebrate Mexican Folk Saint
July 6, 2015, marks 600 years since Jan Hus, theologian and reformer from Prague, was put to death at the decree of the Council of Constance. Hus espoused teachings that in many ways anticipated aspects of the Protestant Reformation more than . . .
CHR Comment: Great overview about the most important martyr of the 1400s, a forerunner to the Reformation.
The temple of Santiago gets a breath of air.
CHR Comment: The article briefly describes the Spanish colonial who established the church. Interesting.
The earliest-known draft of the King James Bible offers clues to understanding how the volume was put together.
Source: Oldest King James Bible draft discovered: Did translators work alone? – CSMonitor.com
The researcher raises questions about whether the translators worked on teams or as individuals. The notes likely indicate that both happened. One can easily imagine individuals doing research independently and then sharing it with the group. That is still common practice today since most translations are prepared by editorial committees.
church history review 