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John Wycliffe: “Morning Star of the Reformation”
An important forerunner of the Protestant Reformation was John Wycliffe (ca. 1324–1384), an eminent Oxford professor. Wycliffe lived during the so-called “Babylonian Captivity of the Church” (1309–1378), when the papal headquarters were in Avignon, France; and the “Great Schism” when there were rival popes at both Rome and Avignon (1378–1417). These issues and other clerical… Continue reading
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An Exemplary Case of Conversion
“For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:9-10).… Continue reading
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My New Book
Our Help in Ages Past: A Primer in Church History Foreword by Dr. C. G. “Colly” Caldwell Published by Florida College Press (2024) Available at FC Bookstore Click link to order: https://bookstore.floridacollege.edu/product/64216/Our-Help-in-Ages-Past/ Chapters From the Preface The title of this book, Our Help in Ages Past, is borrowed and adapted from the title of a… Continue reading
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If the Foundations are Destroyed
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3). Adversity comes in varied forms, but we can be assured it comes to all of us. It might be a crisis or a series of setbacks. Family tragedies, medical events, or financial challenges can turn our world upside down. Such circumstances may bring… Continue reading
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In the Fullness of Time
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son” (Gal. 4:4). The most important historical sources we have for the beginning of Christianity are those found in the documents of the New Testament, all of which were composed by the end of the first century. The Bible record is, of course,… Continue reading
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The Value of Church History
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). Church history, or the history of Christianity, is the story of the movement begun by Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament, and continuing more than two… Continue reading
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Imitating Christ
Of the Imitation of Christ is the title of a book that was published in the Netherlands in the early fifteenth century, and is generally attributed to Thomas à Kempis. It was intended to serve as a handbook for spiritual life and discipleship. The book’s theme is set forth in the opening paragraph: “By the… Continue reading
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Irenaeus of Lyons: Zealous Opponent of Heresy
Irenaeus (born ca. a.d. 120 or 140) served as bishop of Lyons from ca.177 until his death in ca. 202. He spent much of his life dealing with the gnostic heresy. Of his two writings that still exist, the best known is Against Heresies (A Refutation and Subversion of Knowledge Falsely So Called), consisting of… Continue reading
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Ignatius of Antioch and the Presiding Bishop
Most of what we know about Ignatius is found in the account of his martyrdom. Ignatius was condemned by the imperial authorities and sent to Rome to die for the gratification of the people. Since there was no general persecution of Christians by Rome at that time, Ignatius was probably accused of being a Christian… Continue reading
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William Tyndale: “Father of the English Bible”
William Tyndale (ca. 1494–1536) studied Scripture and language at Oxford and Cambridge, where he lectured and became convinced of the need for the Scriptures to be read and learned by everyone, including the common man. Tyndale studied the work of Erasmus of Rotterdam, and was impressed with Erasmus’ new 1516 edition of the Greek New… Continue reading
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