I thought of writing a few posts about Dietrich Bonhoeffer since he's become popular again with the printing of Eric Metaxas new book "Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy". In order to give a brief biographical sketch the following is a summary of his life I wrote for a paper during my MA. To briefly summarize the relevant history, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German … [Read more...]
Parish Ale: Beer in Church, a Lengthy Tradition
In the middle ages (and in some places even until now) the parish was the centre of community life. There would be dances and celebrations in the church, as well as meetings of almost every kind. Some people stored valuables there, feeling that no one would dare rob such a sacred place. One Tradition I found out recently though was the brewing of beer for different feasts … [Read more...]
Spiritual Anarchism Violent and Pacific: Franciscans, Anabaptists, and Huguenots
If you consider the communal and almost monastic lifestyle of the Amish of modern times, and the pacificism of contemporary Anabaptists some of this history may be disturbing. More familiar would be the words and descriptions of St Francis' and his followers below. "If we had any possessions we should need weapons and laws to defend them." -St. Francis of Assisi "Possessing … [Read more...]
Chemnitz and Justification
In the Lutheran Church there’s a Traditional phrase: If it weren’t for the second Martin, the first Martin would never have been heard. This second Martin after Luther was Martin Chemnitz, the great dogmatician. I’m working my way haphazardly through his examination of the Council of Trent, and I only have temporary access to the first volume. What amazes me about Chemnitz … [Read more...]
Hymn History: O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
In 1862 George Matheson had a great deal going for him. He had been a successful student in classics, logic, and philosophy from the University of Glasgow, and at the age of 20 he was engaged to marry a young woman he loved. However, that year, he became ill and tragically lost his sight. Rather than be comforted by his betrothed, the story goes that his fiance said that she … [Read more...]