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This week in Christian History

We recite the Nicene Creed at every Mass. The wording has been changed somewhat over the centuries but not drastically. I believe Martin posted the creed a few weeks ago.
 
This is the New English version of the Nicene creed approved in the Catholic Church to begin usage this fall. A few changes to make it more faithful to the original Latin text.

I believe in one God,
The Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God.
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made.
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
And by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake
he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated
at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
the giver of life, who proceeds
from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets,
I believe in one, holy, catholic
and apostolic Chuch.
I confess one Baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection
of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

"July 1, 1899: Three traveling businessmen meet in a YMCA building and decide to form an organization to distribute Bibles. The Christian Commercial Men's Association of America, later renamed the Gideons, placed their first Bibles in a hotel nine years later."

- to date, the Gideons have placed 1.7 BILLION Bibles in hotels, motels and schools rooms in 94 countries since 1908! Sadly, the Gideons are facing increased resistance and strong opposition to giving Bibles to 5th grade school children in North America, even though they now give Gideon Bibles only to those children who request one.

Interestingly, every time that the issue of distributing Gideon Bibles is brought up in the media, the request for Bibles takes a big jump. The Bible speaks to those who seek the truth!

A vivid example from Christian History of how the obedience of a few men had a great, unforeseen impact on the Kingdom. Just like the Biblical figure, Gideon!

http://www.gideons.ca/Home.aspx

http://www.christianweek.org/spotlight.php?id=46

"July 2, 1752: The first English Bible published in America rolls off presses in Boston."
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

"July 5, 1865: William Booth founds The Christian Mission to work among London's poor and unchurched. Later, he changed the mission's name to the Salvation Army . . ."

For more information about the spiritual, social and economic impact of this remarkable man and his wife, see the links below.

http://www.revival-library.org/pensketches/revivalists/boothw.html

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REsalvation.htm
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

July 11, 1533: Henry VIII gets the boot . . .

July 11, 1656: First Quakers arrive in New England - and promptly get the boot as well!

July 15, 1606: Rembrandt is born . . .

. . . and more
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

The early disciples of Jesus were not shown much love by the Roman government - it is noteworthy that the Church suffered under the Imperial hand for nearly 300 years -

"July 18, 64: The Great Fire of Rome begins, and to direct suspicion away from himself, young Emperor Nero blames the city's Christians. A persecution followed in which Christians were (among other punishments) burned alive (see issue 27: Persecution in the Early Church)."

"July 17, 180: Seven men and five women who had been captured carrying "the sacred books, and the letters of Paul" are tried before Roman proconsul Saturninus. Since none would renounce their Christian faith, all 12 were beheaded (see issue 27: Persecution in the Early Church)."

But it's not like "church" people always get it right either -

"July 19, 1692: Puritan magistrates convict and hang five women for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. By September, 20 people had been executed on charges brought by 15 young girls (see issue 41: The American Puritan)."

- which should be surprising in view of the fact that the Puritans themselves fled ill treatment back in Europe -

"July 22, 1620: Led by John Robinson, a group of English Separatists who had fled to Holland in 1607, sail for England, where they would board the Mayflower (see issue 41: The American Puritans)."

It all reminds me of the words from the song - "Tell Me the Old, Old Story", we need frequent reminders of why we are called "Christians" -

"...Tell me the old, old, story,
for I forget so soon,
The early dew of morning
is passed away at noon..."

The people of the church have been on both sides of persecution. So, which is better - to suffer for the name of Christ or to oppress in the name of Christ?

Many today think that our family of 4 children in quite large; what would they have said of the one that Susannah Wesley came from -

"July 23, 1742: Susannah Wesley, mother of John and Charles, dies. Born the twenty-fifth child in a clergyman's family, she became one of the most notable mothers in church history (see issue 2: John Wesley and issue 69: Charles and John Wesley)."
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

'author of "Amazing Grace" and other hymns, is born'. . . 'author of "My Utmost for His Highest" is born . . . '"religion is not changed as easily as a shirt."'. . . 'gave to American Protestantism a sense of social responsibility'. . . 'In God We Trust' . . .

It struck me as I read this week's historical accounts that many noble creeds, sentiments, aspirations and mottos have been expressed by people of every nation from across the earth down through the centuries. These words and thoughts have had mixed outcomes on the movements that they spawned, some good, some not so much.

But there is only one theme and reality that can peacefully unite us in the faith - "Only Jesus", as is expressed in the video linked below! Only Jesus!

"And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." (Revelation 5:9, NIV)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRaUnR1XtgQ&feature=related
 
July 25, 1593: King Henry IV of France, raised a Protestant, converts to Catholicism. Long considered a political move, the conversion is now thought to have been sincere, partially because of the king's statement that "religion is not changed as easily as a shirt." His conversion did not end his sympathy for Protestants, however, and in 1598 he promulgated the Edict of Nantes, giving Protestants freedom of worship and permitting them to garrison certain towns for security
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

"August 3, 1492: Christopher Columbus sets sail from Spain for the Indies..."


"August 5, 1570: Spanish Jesuits, intent on converting ..... Native Americans massacred the group, and the Jesuits ended their work in the region"

and then on the same date 34 years later-

"August 5, 1604: John Eliot, the "Apostle to American Indians," is baptized. He succeeded in converting over 3,600 Native American..."

- makes one wonder what made the difference in the above two attempts!

Wow, talk about a book that saw long-running publication -

August 6, 1651: Francois Fenelon, Roman Catholic priest and mystical theologian, is born in Perigord, France. His 1697 Explication des Maximes des Saintes is still in print under the title Christian Perfection."

And much more...
 
burnt said:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

"August 3, 1492: Christopher Columbus sets sail from Spain for the Indies..."


"August 5, 1570: Spanish Jesuits, intent on converting ..... Native Americans massacred the group, and the Jesuits ended their work in the region"

and then on the same date 34 years later-

"August 5, 1604: John Eliot, the "Apostle to American Indians," is baptized. He succeeded in converting over 3,600 Native American..."

- makes one wonder what made the difference in the above two attempts! We'll never know other than they were not ready for the word.... Remember Jesus (The Word) was not received well either and died for us.

Wow, talk about a book that saw long-running publication -

August 6, 1651: Francois Fenelon, Roman Catholic priest and mystical theologian, is born in Perigord, France. His 1697 Explication des Maximes des Saintes is still in print under the title Christian Perfection."

And much more...
Click to expand...
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

"August 8, 1471: Thomas a Kempis, Dutch mystic and devotional author dies . . ." He was a notable thinker and writer who wrote this - "In omnibus requiem quaesivi, sed non inveni, nisi in hoexkens ende boexkens", "I have sought everywhere for peace, but I have found it not save in a little nook and in a little book."

An explicit prophecy of Jesus (Mark 13:2, Mt. 24:2, Luke 19:44) is fulfilled on -
"August 10, 70: Roman troops, sent by Emperor Vespasian to put down a Jewish rebellion, break through the walls of Jerusalem and destroy the temple. Some said that the event occurred on the same day of the year as the earlier destruction of Solomon's temple by Babylonians."

"August 12, 304: Euplius, a Christian deacon from Sicily, is martyred for owning the Scriptures and proclaiming himself a Christian (loudly and repeatedly). . ." He did not back down, knowing it would cost him his life!

"August 13, 662: Maximus Confessor, the Eastern leader in the fight against Monothelitism (the heresy that Christ had divine, but no human, will), dies after being tortured for his beliefs."

- you might wonder "why does it matter what some guy thought about and died for almost 1400 years ago", well it was the spiritual devotion and drive for theological purity that has kept Biblical teaching what it needs to be in order for it to be an effective agent of change in the lives of those who follow Christ.

For example, in the case of "Monothelitism", if Christ did not have a human will, then he would have been incapable of making "sinful" choices, making his victory over the power of evil rather hollow (a bit simplisitic, but hopefully a bit helpful). Also, it has serious implications for the human response to the Grace of God.

For a fuller explanation see the following -

http://www.monachos.net/content/patristics/studies-fathers/66-maximos-the-confessor-on-the-free-will-of-christ

Not an easy read, but beneficial.

Blessings, and go out and serve. You have a choice and He can empower!
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

"August 18, 1732: In an emotional farewell service, Moravian Christians at Herrnhut sing 100 hymns and commission Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann as missionaries to slaves in the West Indies. Herrnhut, a community of only 600 members sent more than 70 missionaries between 1732 and 1742 (see issue 1: Nicolaus Zinzendorf)."

- and here is more of the story, as told by Paris Reidhead in his renowned sermon "Ten Shekels and a Shirt" (a sermon that is well worth reading or listening to, BTW) -

"Two young Moravians heard of an island in the West Indies where an atheist British owner had 2000 to 3000 slaves. And the owner had said, "No preacher, no clergyman, will ever stay on this island. If he's shipwrecked we'll keep him in a separate house until he has to leave; but he's never going to talk to any of us about God. I'm through with all that nonsense." Three thousand slaves from the jungles of Africa brought to an island in the Atlantic and there to live and die without hearing of Christ.

Two young Moravians heard about it. They sold themselves to the British planter and used the money they received from their sale, for he paid no more than he would for any slave, to pay their passage out to his island for he wouldn't even transport them. As the ship left it's pier in the river at Hamburg and was going out into the North Sea, carried with the tide, the Moravians had come from Herrenhut to see these two lads off, in their early twenties. Never to return again, for this wasn't a four year term; they sold themselves into life-time slavery. Simply that as slaves, they could be a s Christians where these others were. The families were there weeping, for they knew they would never see them again. And they wondered why they were going and questioned the wisdom of it. As the gap widened and the housings had been cast off and were being curled up there on the pier, and the young boys saw the widening gap, one lad with his arm liked through the arm of his fellow, raised his hand and shouted across the gap the last words that were heard from them, they were these: "MAY THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN, RECEIVE THE REWARD OF HIS SUFFERING!" This became the call of Moravian missions. And this is the only reason for being, That the Lamb that was slain, may receive the reward of His suffering."

For the entire sermon go to -

http://johnandellenduncan.com/pr_tenshekels.htm

or for an easier-to-read type go to this PDF file -

http://www.heavenreigns.com/pdf/ten_shekels.pdf

or for audio -

http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=10180222445
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

August 21, 1741: George Frideric Handel stays home for a few days to write some music . . . :wink: What piece did he compose?

August 24, 410: Augustine makes a bold statement about the outcome of Rome's moral condition . . .

What would a 100+ year prayer do for our communities? -
"August 27, 1727: Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf's Moravian community at Herrnhut, Germany, begins a round-the-clock "prayer chain." Reportedly, at least one person in the community was praying every minute of the day—for more than a century (see issue 1: Nicolaus Zinzendorf)."

"August 27, 1910: Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu is born to an Albanian couple in Yugoslavia . . ." and she was later known as ----- ?
 
August 27, 1910: Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu is born to an Albanian couple in Yugoslavia. At age 18, Agnes entered an Irish convent. She later became known worldwide as Mother Teresa (see issue 65: The Ten Most Influential Christians of the Twentieth Century).
 
It's good to be back after a week away from home. No bed gives as good a night's sleep as my own!

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

"September 4, 1842: After a 284-year hiatus, construction of the Cologne Cathedral continues. And you thought road crews took long breaks!" It's worth looking this church building up! This magnificent structure took 14 (some sources say many more) Allied bomb hits in WWII.

http://www.willkommeninkoeln.de/media/sound/dom.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kt/4465008/

"September 10, 1869: A Baptist minister invents..." a ride in Japan? Who'da thought?
 
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/

"September 14, 1741: George Frederick Handel finishes composing "The Messiah," begun only 24 days earlier."

While "The Messiah" is one of Christianity's best known pieces of music, it was not always held in such high regard when first performed - "The theatre, and Handel's music, were still perceived by many ecclesiastics as profane and subversive." In fact, in order to avoid charges of blasphemy, it's London premiere was billed as ""A Sacred Oratorio".(Vickers)

Because Handel constantly adjusted and adapted sections of it, there is no definitive original text, but rather a number of variations of Messiah.

Yet, the accuracy of the message in George Frederick Handel's masterpiece is ever unchanged, covering the themes of prophetic announcement of a messiah, redemption, his birth, miracles, life, death, resurrection, and final triumph - the entire general message of the Christian faith. Hallelujah!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RrdwElnTU
 

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