Many Christians are familiar with Pelagius, the Celtic monk who challenged Augustine of Hippo’s prayer, “Give what you command, and command what you will.” According to Pelagius, this was a useless prayer, because human beings already have what is necessary…
Aphrahat the Sage – A Lesser-Known Church Father Typically depicted with a turban and a thin and grave bearded face, Aphrahat is not high in most people’s list of Christian authors. Scholars, however, find him interesting for several reasons. For…
As Athenagoras examined Christianity in the second century, he found it utterly absurd. A religion about a man who was executed as a criminal and returned in a resurrected body? How primitive, he thought! Following Plato, any respectable philosopher knew…
Part 1 can be found here. Alcuin & the Carolingian Renaissance Something should be said here on the impact Alcuin had on the Carolingian renaissance, especially the connection between Alcuin’s political theology and his philosophy of education. For Alcuin, true…
Aidan of Lindisfarne – A Seventh-Century Door-to-Door Missionary Thanks to the literary mastery of the Venerable Bede, the history of the Christianization of England is filled with memorable stories of valiant kings, praying queens, and wonder-working saints. But it’s also…
The Birth of Early Christian Nations –Truth and Legend The accounts of the birth of early Christian nations is often shrouded in legend, as stories were told and retold, but there are still enough historical records to show that much…
Paul once commented to Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”[1] This text tends to make the typical American Christian uncomfortable. They immediately compare their experience to that of the underground…
Gregory of Nyssa – A Lone Voice Against Slavery I have already written about Gregory of Nyssa[1] – one of the Three Cappadocian Fathers – and his compassion toward the poor. But he deserves another article, for a stand that…
Patrick and His Mission Every year, we read articles about the “real” Saint Patrick – the one who didn’t drive out snakes and didn’t use a shamrock to explain the Trinity. His own account of his life, expressed in his…
