What impact did Blaise Pascal have on the Christian faith?
Blaise Pascal (June 19, 1623—August 19, 1662) was a French mathematician, inventor, scientist, and theologian/philosopher. Although he suffered from poor health, Pascal made major contributions in mathematics and physical science including the areas of hydraulics, atmospheric pressure, and vacuums. Pascal also insisted upon strict empirical observation and the use of controlled experiments. As a mathematician…
Who was Constantine the Great?
Constantine the Great (AD 280—337) was one of Rome’s most powerful and successful emperors and the first to self-identify as a Christian. He is known for his economic, political, and military achievements, as well as his religious reforms. Medieval writers praised him as the ideal ruler, against whom all kings were measured. Over time, his…
Who was Tim LaHaye?
Dr. Tim Francis LaHaye (1926—2016) was an influential American evangelical pastor, best-selling author, and a leader of the conservative Christian political activist movement that began in the 1970s. Tim and his wife, Beverly Jean LaHaye, hosted Christian radio and television programs promoting traditional family values and published numerous Christian growth, marriage, and Bible study books.…
What is a synod?
A synod is a council or assembly usually convened to discuss and decide on matters of church doctrine or administration. The term synod comes from the Greek word synodos, which means “assembly” or “meeting.” In various Christian denominations, synods have shaped church policies, resolved theological disputes, and cultivated unity among believers. Synods can be convened…
Who were Ratramnus and Radbertus?
Ratramnus and Radbertus were two medieval monks whose writings led to the eleventh-century eucharistic controversy. Paschasius Radbertus was a French monk who became the abbot of the monastery at Corbie, France, in 844. He had written a book in 831 called Concerning Christ’s Body and Blood, which asserted that the elements taken during the Eucharist…
Who was Friedrich Schleiermacher?
Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (1768–1834) was an influential philosopher who paved the way for modern theological liberalism. Schleiermacher was born in Breslaw, Germany, and was the son of a Prussian army chaplain who became a Pietist when Friedrich was a young boy. Friedrich was sent to a Moravian boarding school at age 15. During that…
Who was Elisabeth Elliot?
Elisabeth Elliot (1926—2015) was a Christian missionary, speaker, and author. She rose to prominence after her husband, Jim Elliot, and four other missionaries were killed by the Auca tribe (now known as the Waodani/Wourani/Hourani tribe) in Ecuador. Elisabeth Elliot (née Howard) was born on December 21, 1926, in Brussels, Belgium, where her parents were missionaries.…
What impact did the Pax Romana have on the early spread of Christianity?
Pax Romana simply means “Peace of Rome” and refers to the tranquility and security that the Roman Empire brought to the Mediterranean world. The Pax Romana lasted from the reign of Caesar Augustus (27 BC–AD 14) to that of Caesar Marcus Aurelius (AD 161–180). At the time of Christ and during the first generation of…
What is Cassianism?
John Cassian was a monk who died approximately 430 years after the birth of Christ. His writings are credited with supporting Western Christianity’s development of themes such as the monastic lifestyle and the infamous Seven Deadly Sins. Cassian’s approach to grace, faith, and free will is a point of controversy, with many Reformed scholars accusing…
What should we learn from Christian martyrs?
A Christian martyr is someone who died for his or her faith, rather than renounce Christ. Ever since Stephen was stoned to death outside Jerusalem (Acts 7), Christians around the world have suffered and died for the sake of Christ. There are many lessons we can learn from the testimony of the martyrs. Each person…