That Was The Week That Was

Here… • Why historians “need to get in the way of death and practice resurrection.” • Once again, the rumors of the lecture’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. • According to one British historian, German Pietism “[rekindled] the love affair with God that had been Protestantism’s beating heart since Luther.” …There and Everywhere • Oddly, the firing of an FBI … More That Was The Week That Was

That Was The Week That Was

Here… • My article on Christians and National Socialism can be found in the newest issue of Christian History Magazine. • Nothing Rhymes with Gehrz, my newest podcast collaboration with Sam Mulberry, debuted. • Why interfaith engagement is a civic imperative in a religiously diverse society. • Two posts on World War I: one on the challenges involved in … More That Was The Week That Was

How to Follow Our 2017 WWI Trip in Europe

LONDON – Greetings from my favorite city in the world, where I’ll be spending the first eight days of a three-week travel course on the history of World War I. Joined by my friend and colleague Sam Mulberry and his wife, Anne-Britt, we’re taking twenty students from Bethel University on this, our third iteration of the WWI … More How to Follow Our 2017 WWI Trip in Europe

That Was The Week That Was

Here… • For the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I recalled one Christian college’s willingness to welcome Japanese American students. • My series on Gary Burge’s Mapping Your Academic Career continued with some reflections on finding your voice as a teacher. • Gift ideas: histories and biographies that made Best of 2016 lists. • How did … More That Was The Week That Was

All Saints’ Day and the Stewardship of the Past

Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and … More All Saints’ Day and the Stewardship of the Past

The Somme at 100

As I write this post, the sun is setting over the River Somme in northern France. One hundred years ago today, in the middle of World War I, nightfall hid the grisly sight of nearly 20,000 dead British and Commonwealth soldiers. One of them was a twenty-year old officer named John Sherwin Engall, who had written to his parents … More The Somme at 100