History – Page 25 – Gregory Scott Blog

Reformation Tour—Introduction

Today we start our Reformation Tour to the Czech Republic and Germany to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

In fact, as you can see from the pic, I am writing this from the cabin of our plane somewhere over the Continental United States.

It was 500 years ago on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenberg.

The first thesis had to do with a repentance. A year before, Erasmus had published his Greek New Testament. Luther realized in reading Matthew 4:17 (“Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand”) in the Greek that the Latin Vulgate had misinterpreted the word “repent” as “do penance,” leading to the Roman Catholic Church into gross theological error.

Luther intended his 95 theses to be only a starting point for discussion among the academics at the University in Wittenberg, but a couple of students—thank you Lord for college students—read what Luther posted, took it to the local publisher (the printing press had been created about 60 years prior), and began distributing the theses. Continue reading “Reformation Tour—Introduction”

A History Lesson For The Philippine Atheists

I read an article the other day about atheists in the Philippines trying to do good works to convert people to atheism.

They admit they are copying what they have (wrongly) interpreted as a strategy Christians have successfully used in the past.

Interestingly, this is not the first time a concerted effort has been made to copy Christian conduct for a non-Christian purpose. It failed in the past, and it will fail again for one very good reason.

In 312AD Constantine the Great became the first Christian Roman emperor, ending nearly three centuries of state sponsored persecution against the Christians. What many people don’t realize is Constantine’s successor, following the rule of Constantine’s sons, was “Julian the Apostate.” Julian the Apostate, rightly named, attempted to reverse Constantine’s policies regarding Christians and Christianity.

Julian re-established paganism as the state religion, reopened pagan temples, confiscated church property, prohibited Christians from teaching, and allowed heretics who had been exiled to return in an effort to foster schism within the church. Julian even attempted to rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem to get back at the Christians. Julian’s strategy was to eradicate Christianity, particularly from the governing class, in the empire.

Julian noticed how Christians’ charitable acts attracted pagans to Christianity. Julian wrote, “These impious Galileans not only feed their own poor, but ours also; welcoming them into their agapae, they attract them, as children are attracted, with cakes.” So, Julian, much like the atheists in the Philippines, attempted a similar strategy by engaging in state sponsored acts of charity in the name of paganism. Continue reading “A History Lesson For The Philippine Atheists”

Seine River Cruise Travel Journal—Epilogue

We arrived home to the news of the latest installment of Muslims gone wild.

Apparently even Chattanooga, Tennessee is not immune from acts of Islamic terrorism.

When I saw the news I was immediately reminded of the way Saladin responded to the march of Richard the Lionheart’s army from Acre down the coast and then inland toward Jerusalem in the Third Crusade.

Saladin knew he could not face the superior technology and skill of the crusaders head-on—in one of their battles with Saladin, the Crusaders killed the Muslim soldiers at a rate of 10-1.

So instead, Saladin ordered his men to attack the Crusaders in small groups in short intermittent attacks along the caravan and at the rear, not with the hope of defeating the Crusaders but demoralizing them so they would quit and go back to Europe.

Richard, ever the disciplined tactician, insisted his men not charge and break the line, but remain focused on where they were going. Continue reading “Seine River Cruise Travel Journal—Epilogue”

Seine River Cruise Travel Journal—Day 6

I have been looking forward to today because this was our Richard the Lionheart day.

After breakfast, The Wife and I went up on the deck to read and take in the scenery as we traveled up the Seine toward Les Andelys.

One of the unique joys of a river cruise is sitting on the deck of the ship with a glass of wine watching the towns, castles, fields and people move by at a gentle pace.

Les Andelys is a area along the northern bank of the Seine about 25 miles from Rouen. Richard the Lionheart built the castle there—Chateau Gaillard—in 1198, and at the same time constructed the town (Petit Andely) and church.

Interestingly, this is one of the few churches we’ve seen in France not named after Mary. This one is named the Church of our Savior—well done, Richard.

Richard is a fascinating character. He was a descendent of William the Conqueror. He was a crusader and great military strategist, who struck fear in one of Islam’s greatest leaders, Saladin, and restored the hopes of Christendom following the devastating defeat at the Battle of Hattin in 1187. He was also a great leader, who inspired confidence in the men under his charge. He is a great study in leadership. Continue reading “Seine River Cruise Travel Journal—Day 6”

Seine River Cruise Travel Journal—Day 5

Inside WTC's church — Inside WTC’s church

Today the rest of the cruisers set out for a tour of the Normandy D-Day beaches.

It’s a great tour that no American should miss if in Normandy.

The Wife and I have been to Normandy though and so arranged a private tour to the towns of Caen and Bayeux to revisit events from 900 years prior to the D-Day invasion.

In Caen we toured what’s left of the walled town and castle built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, originally known as William the Bastard. That’s a tough name to overcome. It just goes to show it doesn’t matter how you come into the world but what you do once you are here that matters. Also, you may recall the Jewish religious leaders accused Jesus of being a bastard. (John 8:39-42).

Anyway, the church where he worshiped is still there, thanks to some preservation and renovation. And no, the tourist information desk you see in the pic was not part of the church when William worshipped there. Continue reading “Seine River Cruise Travel Journal—Day 5”