Olympia’s war-torn world seems far removed from us, but it is always worth remembering that long-ago sisters in the faith risked displacement and death for the teachings we take for granted.    Olympia Morata was born in 1526 or 1527 to a university instructor in the Italian city of Ferrara. She was blessed with a... Continue Reading

Loomis became an advocate for the Chinese with his language skill providing the means to alleviate prejudice. His primary ministry was as the pastor of the First Chinese Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, which had been organized during the ministry of William Speer. The church had been without a minister for about two years when... Continue Reading

Not only is it bad exegesis and bad logic to make unrepentant homosexual practice less severe than feelings of pride or possession of wealth, akin to an act of disobeying one’s parents, but it is also bad pastoral theology. In the story of the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped his... Continue Reading

It is hoped these 27 quotes will spur you on to read more of the man. “Most Christians are not joyful persons because they are not holy persons and they are not holy persons because they are not filled with the Holy Spirit, and they are not filled with the Holy Spirit because they are... Continue Reading

 Désubas is remembered on February 3 by the Lutheran Church. He has been the subject of several ballades, and his name is imprinted on a plaque standing in the Plain of Montpellier in remembrance of the Huguenot pastors who have lost their lives for their faith.   Huguenots in 18th-century France were well-aware of the... Continue Reading

Christians also face intense persecution in African nations like Nigeria, making the witness of athletes like Rasheedat Ajibade especially powerful. In one Instagram post, the young soccer star shows off a T-shirt with the words “Jesus Revealed, Jesus Glorified, Haleluya.” Another shirt reads simply “Thank You Jesus,” with a reference to the prophet Isaiah. She writes, “Beyond my... Continue Reading

In God’s providence, John Knox led one of the most interesting lives of the Reformers. He was a preacher, a pastor, a galley-slave on a ship, a Bible translator, commentator, and a Reformer. It was during these years that he lived in various countries and served alongside some impressive figures—such as John Calvin in Geneva.... Continue Reading

As dark as Spurgeon’s suffering was, the Lord used it. Spurgeon was able to empathize with fellow sufferers in his preaching, teaching, and writing and point them to God. Spurgeon said, “I would go into the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that... Continue Reading

Then too, it seems doubtful whether that is a reliable theory of the relation of one’s physical activities to one’s propensity for political violence. Maybe the challenge of weightlifting would have been an outlet for the young man’s anger and aggression, sure; but maybe it would have just made him a bulkier attempted assassin.  ... Continue Reading

It may seem odd to call a catastrophe good, but Tolkien argues that “the eucatasrophic tale is the true form of fairy-tale, and its highest function.” In the Gospels, Tolkien writes, we find “the greatest and most complete conceivable eucatastrophe.” There is no greater tragedy than the unjust execution of the Son of God and... Continue Reading