The Second Punic War, which was fought two hundred years before the birth of Christ (in the years 218-201 BC), was the equivalent of the Second World War for the ancient world.
After reading the life of Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson last year, in the exceptional book by S. C. Gwynne, I’ve been reflecting on Jackson and the lessons that we can learn from his personal life. (1) Jackson was always ready. Many…
When I was a child, I remember how I felt disconnected from history. Even then, I loved the subject: I was fascinated by ancient times and faraway places. Still, I couldn’t get past the feeling that I was disconnected from…
This short excerpt, from “Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions” does a good job of summarizing the most defining elements of Old Testament faith – and what separated it from the religions of surrounding peoples. (1) The Israelites worshipped a…
For too long, we’ve been telling people, ‘you need to admit that you’re a sinner. You’re not perfect.’ It’s time to stop.
I don’t quite understand it. Everyone knows that King Solomon was the wisest man in the Old Testament. Yet, he had the most precipitous moral freefall of all the kings. The early Solomon loved God. “Now Solomon loved the Lord”…
(1) O earth, rejoice! Above the mass of lands,The scepter’s held by Yahweh’s steady hands:(2) His throne is hid by swirling mists and haze,While justice forms the bedrock of his ways.(3) A blazing fire goes before his path,Consumes his foes,…
One of the most interesting aspects of Jesus’ character was his extreme spiritual-mindedness.
George Herbert’s poem “The Sacrifice” is well worth your time, filled with deep and thought-provoking considerations about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Here are a few selections from my favorite verses. OH all ye, who passe by, whose eyes and…
Jesus of Nazareth was crucified on a wooden cross, like one of the lowest criminals of his day. As Paul said, he humbled himself ‘to the point of death, even death on a cross’ (Philippians 2:8).
