Chris Gehrz

Billy Graham with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, 1981

Mind the Gap: The Histories of Christianity and of International Relations

November 1, 2013

The modern distinction between sacred and secular has allowed the studies of religion and politics to go their separate ways in virtual isolation. (Nathan O. Hatch) By training, I’m a historian of international relations. More recently, I’ve become interested in the history of Christianity. That wouldn’t seem like an unlikely pairing, given the global reach … More Mind the Gap: The Histories of Christianity and of International Relations

Screen shot from "The Reformation Polka"

Reformation Day (and Response)

October 31, 2013

Since I’ve already seen it shared this week on Facebook and Twitter by friends and former students, I might as well join the fun and mark this 496th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his “95 Theses” by posting “The Reformation Polka” — a music video that my friend Sam Mulberry and I made several years … More Reformation Day (and Response)

Ad for Marion Larson and Sara Shady's talk earlier this month

Talks on Pietism and Higher Ed: Interfaith Dialogue and Off-Campus Study

October 30, 2013

Those interested in getting early glimpses of our forthcoming book for InterVarsity Press, Whole and Holy Persons: A Pietist Approach to Christian Higher Education, can now watch video of the first two in a series of six talks by contributors to that volume. Earlier this month in the Bethel University Library, Marion Larson (English) and … More Talks on Pietism and Higher Ed: Interfaith Dialogue and Off-Campus Study

12 Years a Slave: Film as History

October 29, 2013

Few recent movies have received the acclaim accorded to 12 Years A Slave, currently owner of a 95% “fresh” rating at the critic aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. But then few recent movies attempt to immerse audiences in the antebellum experience of a free black man taken into bondage from 1841 to 1853 — working from the … More 12 Years a Slave: Film as History

Erasmus: The Christian Scholar’s Scholar

October 28, 2013

You generally see the birthdate for the great Christian humanist Desiderius Erasmus given as October 27, 1466, but both the day and year are a bit uncertain. So since I don’t blog on Sundays, I’ll take advantage of the confusion and celebrate the second date suggested, October 28th. To be honest, I’d need a lot … More Erasmus: The Christian Scholar’s Scholar

That Was The Week That Was

October 26, 2013

Here • We’re on Facebook! It’s a fun format — a chance to share links even before Saturdays, plus books I’m reading or teaching. I might do a bit of microblogging there on items that don’t seem to require 500-1500 words of commentary here. And we get spontaneous conversations like the one yesterday afternoon about … More That Was The Week That Was

Are Christian Colleges Good Financial Stewards?

October 25, 2013

Part two of a series of posts following up on comments on my open letter urging American churches to recommit to Christian higher education by increasing their direct and indirect financial support of colleges like Bethel. “This one is tough for me,” commented a reader named Mike, in response to last Tuesday’s open letter, “as … More Are Christian Colleges Good Financial Stewards?

“The Bible makes it abundantly clear…”

October 23, 2013

If you dare, complete the sentence: “The Bible makes it abundantly clear that __________.” There are few phrases that frustrate me more than, "The Bible makes it abundantly clear…" — Rachel Held Evans (@rachelheldevans) October 23, 2013 Rachel Held Evans’ tweet last night preceded a series of conversations about Reformed megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll’s contention … More “The Bible makes it abundantly clear…”

The Pietist Schoolman Facebook Page

October 23, 2013

10/23/13 – You can now find The Pietist Schoolman on Facebook! In addition to providing readers one more way to follow what’s happening here, I’m also planning to use the FB page to enrich what I can provide with the blog: I’ll pass on links to other blogs and sites, share books I’m reading and … More The Pietist Schoolman Facebook Page

Are Christian Colleges Too Detached from Churches?

October 22, 2013

The first of three posts following up on comments on last Tuesday’s open letter asking churches to support Christian higher education… Today let me start with a thread running through several comments: the argument that if Christian colleges are not receiving as much financial support from denominations and churches, it’s because the colleges themselves have … More Are Christian Colleges Too Detached from Churches?

The Pietist Schoolman

The website of historian Chris Gehrz

Author: Chris Gehrz