History:
The Taj Mahal, in the city of Agra, India (not too far from the capital city of New Delhi), is probably the finest example of Islamic architecture in the world (with influences from Persia, Turkey, and India). It may seem ironic that India, a predominantly Hindu nation, would have the best Muslim building, but if you consider that India happens to be the second...
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History:
The Great Wall of China was actually built in several phases. The first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, built one in the 3rd century B.C., but the one that we see today is mostly the construction of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.), the penultimate Chinese dynasty. The purpose of the Wall was to keep out the “barbarian” Mongolian and Manchurian hordes fr...
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History:
In its heyday (most of the first millennium A.D.), the Mayan Empire stretched from the top of the Yucatan Peninsula in modern-day Mexico, through Guatemala and Belize, and as far south Honduras. It included not only Chichen Itza but other famous cities, all worth a visit, such as Uxmal, Palenque, Tulum, and especially Tikal (in Guatemala). You may recognize th...
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Not very helpful:
The Trinity: Try to Understand It and You'll Lose Your Mind. Try to Deny It and You'll LOSE YOUR SOUL! --mercifully anonymous but sadly widespread
Much better:
Nowhere else is a mistake more dangerous, or the search more laborious, or discovery more advantageous. --Augustine
Sweeeeet:
It is rashness to search too far into it. It ...
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History:
The Roman Colosseum was built between 70 and 80 A.D. under the reign of the Emperors Vespasian and Titus. Its original name was the Flavian Amphitheater because Flavius was the surname of both emperors. Under the Emperor Nero, Rome (and the Colosseum) burned in 64 A.D. but it was subsequently repaired. Incidentally, Nero blamed the fire on Christians. Later ...
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Do you think it is wise for a man who is a pastor in charge of a church to study Greek? Do you think the practical help that would be derived from it would compensate for the valuable time spent upon it when there are so many other important things to do?
I most certainly do not. A thorough knowledge of Greek is of great help in the study and teaching of the Bible; and, if o...
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History:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is an amazing city, with gorgeous beaches (Copacabana and Ipanema), a world-famous football (soccer) stadium called Maracanã Stadium where the 1950 FIFA World Cup was held, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World (the harbor at Rio de Janeiro), and tremendous mountains that seem to rise up out of nowhere and which sometimes fall st...
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How is it that an all-wise and all-loving God could create mankind with a foreknowledge that so many would be doomed to eternal punishment?
Finite beings are always getting on perilous ground when they begin to ask how an infinite God could do this or that. An infinitely wise God may have a thousand good reasons for pursuing a certain course of action when we in our finite f...
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Many people are familiar with the phrase “The Seven Wonders of the World” but most could not name what they are. In no particular order, they are:
1) The Great Pyramid of Giza
2) The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
3) The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
4) The Lighthouse at Alexandria
5) The Colossus of Rhodes
6) The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
7) The Temple of Artemis at E...
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Actually, lots of interesting anniversaries are coming up in the next couple of weeks: Brainerd was born, Moody was converted, Kant was born, William Miller's predicted date for Christ's return came and went, Augustine was baptized, Charles Fuller was born, Luther had his disputation at Heidelberg, and Peter Bohler died.
But I'm not going to be blogging about any of them bec...
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Recently President Obama made a series of important speeches in Western Europe and in Turkey. He said that "the United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam" and that "we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation.” He is right on both counts. These passages must be understood in the context of his sophisticated view of the role of religion and government.
...
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Cornelia ten Boom was born on April 15, 1892, and died on her ninety-first birthday, April 15, 1983. Corrie was from a remarkable family of pious Dutch Christians who constructed a secret room in their home and housed a number of Jews there, hidden from the Nazis. When their secret activities were discovered, the whole family was arrested and imprisoned, first in Scheveningen (...
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