Christian History Newsletters–2003
During my years at Christian History & Biography magazine (formerly Christian History), I kept up a regular flow of online newsletters, posted at the magazine’s site. Here are the linked titles of the 2003 newsletters, with the most recent coming first:
Can Anything Good Come Out of New England?
Evangelical revival in the land of the liberal Brahmins may not be as historically odd as we suppose.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted December 12, 2003
300-Year-Old Man Returns to Lead His Church
Evangelicals need this grandfather figure more than ever.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted December 5, 2003
Thanks, Da Vinci Code …
… for sending us back to Christianity’s “founding fathers”—and the Bible we share with them
by Chris Armstrong
Posted November 14, 2003
Not a Mercy but a Sin
The modern push for euthanasia is a push against a two-millenniums-old Christian tradition.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted October 31, 2003
The Next Pope: An African?
Sixty-four years ago, the Roman Catholic Church consecrated its first black African bishop. Is it time now for the next step?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted October 17, 2003
Our Brothers and Sisters, the Episcopalians
The Episcopal Church needs our help. Here’s why we should give it.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted October 3, 2003
Readers’ responses to this article
Six “Faith-based” Stories and a Moral
Are Christian social ministries worth fighting for?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted September 26, 2003
Learning From the Other 9/11
Words kill. So teachers, watch what you say.
By Chris Armstrong
Posted September 12, 2003
J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis: A Legendary Friendship
A new book reveals how these two famous friends conspired to bring myth and legend—and Truth—to modern readers.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted August 29, 2003
The Ten Commandments, How Deep Our Debt
The words of the Decalogue run like a river through not only the church but also English and American history.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted August 22, 2003
College Sports: Prodigal Son of “Muscular Christianity”
In the wake of a basketball scandal at a prominent Christian university, we take time to remember the Christian roots of college athletics.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted August 15, 2003
Where Have All the Classics Gone?
These days it’s a triumph when a movie is simply inoffensive. But we can do better than that!
by Chris Armstrong
Posted July 11, 2003
The African Lion Roars in the Western Church
Anglican liberals are fretting, conservatives rejoicing, and all are scrambling to their history books: whence this new evangelical force on the world scene?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted June 27, 2003
Readers’ responses to this article
How John Wesley Changed America
Why should Wesley’s 300th birthday be a red-letter day on this side of the ocean?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted June 20, 2003
Did Eric Rudolph Act in a “Tradition of Christian Terror”?
A historian considers the evidence of the Crusades and the Inquisition.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted June 13, 2003
Readers’ responses to this article
When World Leaders Pray, Part II
Tony Blair’s spin-doctors worried when he recently “outed” himself as a Christian. But what impact has Christianity really had on our leaders?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted May 30, 2003
The Day the Ransoming Began
A gripping new book details the first American missionary hostage crisis, over 100 years ago.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted May 23, 2003
When World Leaders Pray
Some observers are upset with Tony Blair’s recent public avowal of faith. But what impact has Christianity really had on our leaders?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted May 16, 2003
Got Your “Spiritual Director” Yet?
The roots of a resurgent practice, plus 14 books for further study.
by Chris Armstrong and Steven Gertz
Posted May 2, 2003
The Goodness of Good Friday
An unhappy celebration—isn’t that an oxymoron?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted April 18, 2003
Top Ten Entry Points to Christian History
Some enjoyable ways to get the most out of the work of church historians.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted April 11, 2003
Top Ten Christian History ‘Starter Books’
Get rooted in the Christian past with these riveting reads.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted April 4, 2003
Top Ten Reasons to Read Christian History
War’s reports deluge us every hour. Why should we read the “old news” of Christian history?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted March 28, 2003
How Can War Be Christian?
Augustine’s “just war” theory has guided the church through many conflicts.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted March 21, 2003
Saint J. R. R. the Evangelist
Tolkien wanted his Lord of the Rings to echo the “Lord of Lords”—but do we have ears to hear?
by Chris Armstrong
Posted March 14, 2003
Heresy, Salvation, and Jack the Ripper
Why heresy trials will have to do, until something better comes along.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted February 28, 2003
Play Me That Hot Puritan Love Song
A little-read book of the Bible reminds us of the astonishing intimacy we enjoy with Christ.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted February 14, 2003
Sex, Politics, and the Bible
Some words just don’t mean what they used to …
By Chris Armstrong
Posted January 24, 2003
Caveat Gyrator (Elvis Priestly, Part II)
So you’ve got an evangelistic pop-culture act ready for prime time. Here’s a historical pause for reflection.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted January 17, 2003
From Oratorios to Elvis
Pop culture has been coming to a church near you for hundreds of years.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted January 10, 2003
The Christian DNA of Modern Genetics
Though open to frightening ethical abuse, genetics has been a Christian vocation since Gregor Mendel did his famous pea-plant experiments in the mid-nineteenth century.
by Chris Armstrong
Posted January 3, 2003
