Source: Review of Biblical Literature

Acts of God in History, a new collection of essays, explores the need to interpret history theologically, in keeping with biblical doctrine and practice.

Source: Review of Biblical Literature

Libanius the Sophist: Rhetoric, Reality, and Religion in the Fourth Century describes the output of the famous teacher of rhetoric who helped train church fathers such as John Chrysostom and Basil of Caesarea. It illustrates the continued influence of Greco-Roman culture on the style and character of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

This town in northern Israel has everything but circus barkers touting its main product. Storefronts are alive with oversize signs all telling the same story: This is the spot where Jesus Christ performed the first of some three dozen miracles.

Source: Cana: Ballyhoo for a Miracle in Israel | Bob Schulman

The site of Jesus’ first “sign,” as described in the Gospel of John, has three churches laying claim to different sites where Jesus turned water into wine. Illustrates how faith and economics don’t always mix well.

Pope Francis expressed contrition to the indigenous people of the Americas while in Bolivia, a stop on his three-state South American tour.

Source: Pope Francis To Native People: Sorry How The Church Treated You During Conquest Of The Americas

This article refers to atrocities committed by Conquistadors in the fifteenth century when they colonized the Americas and the sixteenth century when native people were enslaved. One should remember that the conquerors acted with mixed motives, where state, individual, and church interests became hopelessly confused with the result that acts committed in the name of the Church were sinfully abusive. Lord, have mercy.

Royal christening Sunday will be traditional and unique in some ways, and a boon to royal fans and media.

Source: Guide: Princess Charlotte’s christening

“Christening” refers to a child receiving his or her Christian name at the time of Baptism, a Sacrament in the Church of England as well as other historic, liturgical churches. Most Christians view Baptism as an act of God conducted through His Church, which washes away sins and bestows the Holy Spirit. Churches that do not baptize infants often refer to the rite as an “ordinance.” They see Baptism more as an act of the individual expressing his or her faith.

The fires come after a shooting at a Charleston church killed nine people.

Source: Fires at black churches raise concern

This story, written after the infamous Charleston Shooting at an African Methodist Episcopal Church, describes cases of Arson against other black churches in the South. The shooting unleashed disappointing and angry responses, which ultimately led to states removing the Confederate flag from state properties.