3.6.2017
Recent, ugly nonsense about those who supposedly cannot refrain from sinful sexual relations is pastoral cruelty disguised as kindness. The voice of Archbishop Chaput, by contrast, strikes a welcome and profound note of clarity and true compassion.
CHR Comment: A brief essay concerning the Archbishop’s recent book, Strangers in a Strange Land, reflecting also on the importance of this bishop.
Source: A Book for Me and All Protestants to Read | Carl R. Trueman | First Things
3.2.2017
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — An archaeological dig in St. Augustine continues to marvel scientists and historians. More burials have been found, and some are children’s graves. They are children who may have been some of the earliest colonists in St. Augustine
CHR Comment: Parish records illustrate the higher mortality rate for children in the earlier years of settlement, according to the report.
Source: firstcoastnews.com | Historic burials of children found in St. Augustine
3.3.2017
It’s illegal, or at least dangerous, for Muslims to convert in Muslim-majority countries.
CHR Comment: Jesus began appearing to the father in his dreams. Several months later the whole family was baptized. One bishop reports over 100 such Baptisms at his church alone.
Source: Why some Muslim Syrian refugees are converting to Christianity
3.3.2017
New polls show that, while support for a travel ban has dropped among most religious faiths, it has grown among Evangelicals – a sign of their cultural evolution and growing bond with the Trump administration.
CHR Comment: The article argues that Evangelicals have a “Christian America” theology, which feels threatened by Islam.
Source: Why Evangelicals are Trump’s strongest travel-ban supporters – CSMonitor.com
2.27.2017
And so are our impossible expectations for them.
CHR Comment: According to Barna, one out of eleven Protestant clergy in America is a woman, though they tend to serve smaller congregations.
Source: Study: Female Pastors Are on the Rise | CT Women | Christianity Today
2.26.2017
The influential Reformed leader is moving away from his NYC pulpit as his church becomes three.
CHR Comment: Keller will continue service to the broader church by teaching at Reformed Theological Seminary in New York.
Source: Tim Keller Stepping Down as Redeemer Senior Pastor | News & Reporting | Christianity Today
2.25.2017
The 1,500-year-old structure, now a museum, has symbolized Turkey’s secular society.
CHR Comment: The article rehearses some of the history, noting the shift in Turkish society away from secularism toward emphasizing Islamic heritage at the expense of Christian heritage.
Source: Turks push to turn iconic Hagia Sophia back into a mosque
2.23.2017
Denis McNamara’s How To Read Churches is an extraordinary book. Subtitled “a crash course in ecclesiastical architecture,” it covers building types, floor plans, sections of churches (nave, […]
CHR Comment: A brief review of a 2011 publication.
Source: How To Read Churches
2.23.2017
The pontiff criticizes those who claim to be ‘very Catholic’ but won’t pay workers a fair wage.
CHR Comment: Hypocrisy was the target of Francis’s comments on economic issues. He also warned against confidence that God would forgive such hypocrisy.
2.23.2017
An L.A. artist created a statue called “False Idol” that features The Life of Pablo’s artist’s likeness.
CHR Comment: A pop culture use of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion as commentary on the Hollywood culture of attacking its own idols.
Source: A Gold Kanye West Jesus Statue Appears In Downtown L.A.
church history review 