Augustine was that reluctant bishop! He lived from 354-430AD and spent the later decades of his life as pastor and apologist in North Africa.  I recently finished a great introduction to Augustine’s thought simply titled Augustine (Henry Chadwick, 1986). Having studied Augustine’s life and writings previously, I was pleased with the author’s grasp of both… Continue reading

My team didn’t reach the Super Bowl this year. Did yours? I hope so! How well do you know Super Bowl history? We’re about to find out. Ready. Set. Go. In what year was the first Super Bowl held? Which team won the first Super Bowl? Where was that game held? Which franchise has won… Continue reading

It’s a habit now. Time in God’s Word and prayer have been an important part of my morning schedule for decades. Simply put, I need the Lord that much. Everyone in my family does as well. That’s why I started our DAILY RENEW messaging group. It was another attempt of mine to live out this… Continue reading

Vince Lombardi, 45, who for the last five years has been in charge of the New York Giants’ offense, Wednesday was named general manager and coach of the Green Bay Packers. He has a five year contract. Lombardi, a guard on Fordham University’s “seven blocks of granite” line in the middle 1930s, had never before… Continue reading

I suppose that’s a title you didn’t expect! Ever heard of the Didache? Few have. The Didache is an ancient Christian text believed to have been written between A.D. 70 and A.D. 100. The authorship is uncertain. Some suggested it was written by several of the apostles. As a result, there was an unsuccessful movement… Continue reading

Most of you will not read this two-volume edition of Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. And that’s OK. I am rereading it for you! And here are some quotes I found particularly insightful. I’ll include my interaction IN CAPS. “man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until… Continue reading

Pieter Coecke van Aelst I lived from 1502-1550. One of his most famous works appears below. It’s called “Saint Jerome in his study.” It sold at Christies for $665,000 in January of 2015.  I just finished a small biography of Jerome. The painting above was included in the text. The author of the book pointed… Continue reading

I recently finished another read of Clement’s letter to the church in Corinth. The letter is dated around the end of the first century. It’s worth reading if you’ve never done so.  Last night “my” Green Bay Packers surprisingly defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs. It was an amazing season… Continue reading

While my youngest wasn’t feeling well last week, she chose to watch The Sound of Music. I kept overhearing the dialogue and songs long since seared into my heart. Do you recall the song Maria sang as she approached the Von Trapp estate for the first time? “I Have Confidence.” It begins with these words:… Continue reading

Kudos to my son, TJ, for creating the image I plan to use throughout our survey of church history. I’ve entitled the study “Surrounded by a Great Cloud.”  When did the first individual enter the cloud? Another way of asking that question is: When did the Church begin? Unlike some, I don’t believe the Church… Continue reading