tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158711802012-02-16T14:20:47.860ZA space where scholars with an interest in the Puritans share encouragement, information and insightChris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.comBlogger3491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-83251750587747367022008-12-15T19:58:00.003Z2008-12-15T20:01:33.935Z

Courtesy of Michael DeWalt's blog, Gospel-Centered Musings:"How should a beginner proceed in reading Goodwin’s works? Here is a suggested plan. (Note: Books marked by * have been printed at least once since the 1950s.) 1. Begin by reading some of the shorter, more practical writings of Goodwin, such as Patience and Its Perfect Work,* which includes four sermons on James 1:1–5. This was

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-13205471545420703062008-12-15T18:14:00.006Z2008-12-15T19:02:55.334Z

This won't seem like a big deal to many of you, but it struck me as a thing of beauty.Recently, a fellow named Keith Mathison posted a list of what he feels are the "Top 5 Commentaries on Ephesians" on the blog of Ligonier Ministries.In particular, I was very pleasantly surprised by how Mathison handled the work of Harold Hoehner, a scholar whose views are different from his own. To be specific,

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-9093030521936624272008-12-02T20:08:00.003Z2008-12-02T20:17:53.029Z

Courtesy of the Andrew Fuller Center, which recently held an event "celebrating the life and thought of John Milton (1608–1674)."Complete mp3 download here."Let it profit thee to have heard,By terrible example, the rewardOf disobedience."Paradise Lost, Book 6, lines 909-11

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-8462600096103803022008-12-01T12:58:00.012Z2008-12-01T14:01:36.071Z

Recently I started reading The Christian's Great Interest, by Scottish puritan William Guthrie (1620–1669). In it Guthrie attempts to answer two questions:How shall a man know if he has a true and special interest in Christ (if he is a genuine, or 'saved' Christian)?; andWhat shall they do who want (lack) the marks of a true and saving interest in Christ?Here I just want to call attention to

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-5011625131073928232008-11-18T21:53:00.005Z2008-11-18T22:01:49.074Z

From the Sacred Sandwich, a humorous site I recommend visiting often:

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-25271558754577991322008-11-14T15:16:00.002Z2008-11-14T15:18:54.408Z

I'm looking for a good book or website that covers the Federal Vision succinctly and objectively (as much as possible) -- the views associated, and perhaps also the controversy resulting.You can use the comments to answer ...Thanks!Chris

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-43227324759660546902008-11-11T03:13:00.013Z2008-11-11T04:15:11.687Z

Recently I found what looks to be a fun (but slightly irreverent) read on the New England puritans, called The Wordy Shipmates. Sarah Vowell, the author, has written a handful of similar works, and is a contributing editor for NPR's This American Life.I haven't made it far into the book yet, but I've enjoyed what I've read so far, and I suspect a lot of you who contribute to and visit this blog

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-59393664765526088122008-10-29T13:20:00.004Z2008-10-29T13:41:04.634Z

After reading a glut of modern folks examining the puritans, it is always interesting to read puritans talking about puritans. In this case, we see it in an explosive sermon preached by Thomas Case to 'sundry of the Honourable House of Commons' (The Long Parliament) in 1642. In this passage he offered his take on how Laudians and papists viewed puritans. Taking the tone of a satirist, Case

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-39815337547094392532008-10-14T21:51:00.006+01:002008-11-13T11:34:04.761Z

I want to thank all of you that have returned here from time to time to see what's happening at the Conventicle. We really appreciate it. Here's an update about me personally and about this site:I'm still above ground, as you've probably deduced by this point in your reading. I have moved back to Texas and finished my doctoral thesis (the pre-examination draft), the abstract to which I've

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-35290538271804931202008-09-01T16:13:00.002+01:002008-09-01T16:16:52.391+01:00

I don’t read Dutch. I have little acquaintance with the Dutch Reformed tradition. Apart from occasional forays into Witsius, Voetius, and Cocceius, for my Owen thesis, and a little dose of Bavinck now and then to trace up the history of a certain doctrine, I’m really quite green to the Dutch trajectory of the Reformed tradition. This is an area I would like to work on more seriously in the long

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-34809449195522495262008-08-06T18:03:00.005+01:002008-08-06T18:19:34.843+01:00

Thought I would share this, a classic expression of the puritan ethos, in a letter from two English clergy, Laurence Humphrey and Thomas Sampson, to Swiss reformer Heinrich Bullinger, in 1566:Why should we receive Christ rather maimed than entire, and pure, and perfect? Why should we look for precedents from our enemies, the papists, and not from you, our brethren of the reformation? We have the

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-23634517962155848652008-08-01T14:36:00.006+01:002008-08-02T15:15:08.855+01:00

The entire programme of the conference is now finalised and available here.Updates include the following:1. Carl Trueman is unable to present a paper (to the disappointment of many participants I'm sure!). John Coffey will be taking Trueman's place, with a paper entitled, "John Owen, the Reformed Tradition and Religious Toleration."2. Our very own Mr Tweeddale is now on board as well. He will be

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-75227921489262035202008-07-18T13:51:00.001+01:002008-07-18T13:55:05.748+01:00

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-86846613754344816882008-07-14T18:34:00.003+01:002008-07-14T18:43:54.389+01:00

Here is my thesis thus far. I think I'll just hand this is at my viva.

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-52590194478535476542008-07-14T04:24:00.003+01:002008-07-14T04:56:38.470+01:00

Jonathan Edwards's sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God":The Westminster Confession:and to renew the pride of my Scottish friends, the Falkirk speech that William Wallace delivered, in Braveheart:

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-69550043587716036812008-07-13T16:42:00.007+01:002008-07-14T00:09:37.642+01:00

Is there any question which puritan gets the most coverage here? (Admittedly though, there's more than one puritan named 'John', not to mention that we also have a prolific contributor by that name).And just for fun, here's the English text of Luther's 95 Theses:And last--and yes, least--my doctoral dissertation. It may explain things a little to share the title, which is "Puritanism's Ascetic

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-71977794955033432332008-06-26T13:21:00.007+01:002008-12-09T10:27:18.588Z

Dr Stephen Yuille is the preaching elder at Braidwood Bible Chapel in Peterborough, Ontario. He is also a part-time Professor of Biblical Studies with Toronto Baptist Seminary. His doctoral work on George Swinnock was undertaken at the London School of Theology.George Swinnock is a lesser-known Puritan. For the benefit of our readers, could you give us a very brief introduction to his life and

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-24551534040976985952008-06-21T12:20:00.007+01:002008-06-21T22:06:44.554+01:00

Some thoughts from the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, writing in 1653 of his own writing:'With regard to our manner of writing, or Latin diction, as some are wont to acquire great praise from their sublimity of expression, allow me but a word or two. Know, then, reader, that you have to do with a person who, provided his words but clearly express the sentiments of his mind, entertains a

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-90404696296573053202008-06-16T22:38:00.006+01:002008-12-09T10:27:18.761Z

Reformation Heritage Books has just published a new book by J. Stephen Yuille, entitled, "Trading and Thriving in Godliness: the Piety of George Swinnock".The book description reads:George Swinnock (1627–1673) was a gifted English Puritan, known for his vivid illustrations of biblical truth. In “Trading and Thriving in Godliness”, J. Stephen Yuille highlights Swinnock’s conviction that godliness

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-55962890802924131252008-06-13T15:14:00.005+01:002008-06-13T15:23:31.503+01:00

From the series, 400 Years of English History. Stuart is a professional artist as well. The figurine you see at the beginning is his work.

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-49488137657210259572008-06-10T13:21:00.004+01:002008-12-09T10:27:19.018Z

The votes are in from our scholarly opinion poll. Apparently our readership favours puritans. (Who knew?)Of 22 who weighed in:14 (66%!) thought Charles I bore the brunt of the responsibility for the Civil War.About one quarter (5 - 23%) believed responsibility was shared between him and the puritan/parliamentary party.2 (9%) thought there were other causes worth discussing.And none of you–no one!

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-71707119692079470062008-06-09T13:00:00.004+01:002008-06-09T13:10:58.497+01:00

Details of the papers to be presented are now available at John Owen Today.Main Papers:Willem van Asselt (Utrecht University, Holland), Covenant Theology as Relational Theology: The Contributions of Johannes Cocceius and John Owen to a Living Reformed Theology TodayMichael S. Horton (Westminster Seminary, California, USA), Sinai and Zion: The Mosaic Economy in Owen's Federal TheologySuzanne

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-13644521772136942352008-06-06T13:21:00.004+01:002008-06-06T13:32:16.382+01:00

Very little to do with puritanism, but highly entertaining (in my opinion).

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-90003863868394329012008-06-05T12:24:00.008+01:002008-12-09T10:27:19.182Z

C'mon. I know a lot of you know more about the Civil War than I do.Leave a comment on this post if you wish to "nuance" your answer.

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-34454826025448831192008-06-03T03:27:00.004+01:002008-12-09T10:27:19.276Z

A good friend of the Conventicle, Andrew Tooley (PhD student, Univ. Stirling), has started what promises to be an excellent, enriching treatment on the study of religious history with Dr. David Bebbington (Stirling) . . . "Exploring the Study of Religious History".Andy writes, "This blog was established for those who are interested in the study of religious history and, in particular, for those

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-13387765505018851322008-05-23T23:15:00.002+01:002008-05-23T23:32:12.334+01:00

Although I have been registered for this blog for some months I must apologise that this is the first time I have got round to posting anything here. I notice that a few people have looked at my profile already so I thought I would give a brief introduction to myself.I am actually an impostor, having studied Natural Sciences at University, however after graduating I came to my senses and made a

Simon Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06764292716805549750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-35866362753580262152008-05-23T14:54:00.014+01:002008-05-23T15:45:45.744+01:00

I’ve been meaning to post this for some time: a section-by-section synopsis of Patrick Collinson’s important, detailed history of The Elizabethan Puritan Movement. The book is divided into eight parts, each of which contains three to five chapters.I've divided the synopsis into four bite-size installments. Of course, if you have the time, I recommend reading the entire thing.In case you missed

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-3713845681648355732008-05-21T20:53:00.010+01:002008-12-09T10:27:19.417Z

Dear Conventiclers,I must apologise for my long absence. I have been busy getting married (see this and this: I’m the one in the white dress) and writing various chapters of my PhD thesis.Those of you who are long-term readers of this blog might remember that rather than studying the Puritans per se, I am studying some nineteenth-century historians who wrote about them. One of my historians,

Susan Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00894948244988727627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-88455981670124178822008-05-19T21:54:00.005+01:002008-05-20T09:25:54.638+01:00

Time and again in my personal conversations with others on the nature of Scripture and other related matters, I’ve found that narratives and propositions are set up as antithetical (on a related point see Helm's Deep). Why should they be? I’m unconvinced that they are so, or that the Reformed Orthodox presented theology in such a way that propositional truths were allowed to trump the Biblical

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-53971401515530761012008-05-10T10:47:00.008+01:002008-12-09T10:27:19.707Z

Thanks to Jay Collier, Director of Publications at Reformation Heritage Books and PhD student at Calvin Theological Seminary, for informing us about Joel R. Beeke's forthcoming book, Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption. Those familiar with Dr Beeke's superb writings on the Puritans, such as his groundbreaking The Quest for Full Assurance and his resourceful Meet the Puritans, will not

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-86161788667746512552008-04-30T13:38:00.006+01:002008-04-30T14:12:10.156+01:00

'The doctor ecclesiae is certainly permitted to put forth definite theses and formulate them together into a compendium. The theologian must do so using evidence found in Scripture and comparing central themes in Scripture (analogy and typology), and employing the means of conclusions (syllogisms) and the formal tools of the scholastic method. Such compendia, however, should not be collections of

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-23100665868241768642008-04-18T20:25:00.004+01:002008-04-18T21:01:44.466+01:00

Rather than saying our blog is on hiatus, I think it would be more awesome, sweet, stupendous, good noble to say that we are on strike. A strike over what, you ask? Not sure. But here are some ideas I have been considering:1) Until Edinburgh gets a Long John Silvers (or Red Lobster), I choose not to post.2) Until the *Laudian* media start giving proper coverage to puritans and puritan related

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-27350764575268767312008-04-07T14:18:00.005+01:002008-04-07T14:45:51.733+01:00

... according to this NY Times article, which documents the recent deaths of two bloggers in the tech field.But if you've been reading the Conventicle for long, you know we're not in danger of keeling over from a plethora of posts. "What's up with you guys?", some of you may be wondering. I just want to mention two points:We've all grown quite busy. Almost all of us have reached our final year of

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-55642763853801191712008-03-11T08:47:00.002Z2008-12-09T10:27:19.853Z

From the website of the Calvin Conference 2009 (May 24-27): "The major scholarly event of the 'Calvin year' 2009 in Geneva, this conference will attempt to take the full measure of John Calvin's historical importance by exploring the extent and limits of his influence across the generations and around the world, from his lifetime until today, in the domains of theology, politics, culture, and

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-88835254912670159022008-03-05T21:59:00.003Z2008-03-05T22:14:25.381Z

Dr Packer's spiritual authority as a minister of Word and Sacrament may be revoked.Read more about it at Fulcrum, Anglican Mainstream, and Lambethconference.net.To hear from Dr Packer himself on the Anglican situation, search YouTube on St John's Shaughnessy. Let's keep him and others involved in prayer.

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-28669832721663681592008-03-03T20:59:00.007Z2008-03-18T12:45:32.754Z

Tobias Crisp (1600-1643), whose posthumously published sermons became associated with antinomianism, had argued in a sermon on Isaiah 53:6 that it was not merely sin’s punishment which the Lord laid upon Christ but sin itself, that is, both the guilt and punishment of sin. This was a fairly standard view of imputation among the Reformed orthodox. Liability to guilt and punishment are so

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-13193457552795027632008-03-01T23:42:00.001Z2008-03-01T22:56:53.311Z

Here's a fascinating, and I would say typically puritan (pardon the pun) use of two Old Testament types for a New Testament concept, from a discussion by William Perkins on the combat between the flesh and the Spirit in the Christian (Galatians 5:17).I'm interested to hear some feedback – do you think Perkins was over-reaching in using these or not?:"... hereby we are taught to be watchfull in

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-17813203354624159572008-02-29T11:53:00.004Z2008-02-29T12:00:59.973Z

"God has a counselor–It's called God. And He consults with nobody but Himself."- John Piper, speaking on Romans 11:34: Who has known the mind of the LORD, or who has been his counselor?

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-65181881392112438272008-02-27T13:45:00.003Z2008-02-27T13:48:38.566Z

"To preach simply is not to preach unlearnedly, nor confusedly, but plainely and perspicaciously, that the simplest which dooth heare may understand what is taught, as if he did heare his name".- Henry Smith (1560-1591), called 'the silver-tongued preacher' in his day

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-87218075180273536492008-02-21T10:01:00.005Z2008-02-21T10:52:24.939Z

Just today I found an interesting conference paper by David F. Wright. I thought I would post just a few sections as a tribute to his keen intellect. Volumes more could be written, but this is just a brief snapshot of his contribution to Reformation studies.In March 2001 Dr. Wright presented "Martin Bucer and the Decretum Gratiani" at the 'Beitrage zum internationalen Symposium' on the

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-49632415964624304502008-02-20T11:03:00.005Z2008-02-20T13:31:22.036Z

I have just learned of the passing of Prof. David Wright, an eminent scholar of patristic and Reformation history and theology.From Dr. Larry Hurtado's notice: "Prof. Wright was a distinguished member of academic staff in the School of Divinity/New College, on staff for many years and internationally known for his many scholarly publications, awarded the DD as a higher doctorate for his

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-810489417744732242008-02-20T08:52:00.007Z2008-02-20T10:19:01.574Z

... by the puritans. How does my commitment to cultivate a close relationship with the Lord compare with that of Samuel Fairclough, whose biography was included in Samuel Clarke's Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons (1683)?:"None surely can be found who walked in a more constant course of private duties such as Reading, Meditation, Self-examination and Prayer, which four duties he seldom or never

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-49891677124703405052008-02-18T14:20:00.003Z2008-02-18T16:10:03.636Z

One of William Perkins' well known works is:A case of conscience the greatest that ever was, how a man may know, whether he be the son of God or no. Resolved by the Word of God (I am citing the 1592 edition; Available on Early English Books Online, from your local academic library.)It is an interesting little work. The 1592 edition is joined to a treatise by Hieronymus Zanchius (Zanchi) which

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-41361344452791201022008-02-04T23:02:00.000Z2008-02-04T23:05:28.846Z

(HT: Matthew Bradley)

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-59417717798783303612008-02-04T17:41:00.000Z2008-02-04T18:06:49.946Z

A riveting excerpt from Thomas Shepard's sermon series, The Sound Beleever (pp. 316-17), set into verse by Charles Hambrick-Stowe in his book on puritan spiritual practices, The Practice of Piety: Puritan Devotional Disciplines in Seventeenth-Century New England (p. 61):This is therefore the great glory of all those whom God hath called to the fellowship of his deare Son;and which is yet more,

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-11216183280263298122008-02-03T09:58:00.000Z2008-02-04T18:02:04.335Z

Thought this was a great quote. Can you guess who wrote it (from a work called Adhortatio ad christianae philosophiae studium)?:"To me he is truly a theologian who teaches not by skill with intricate syllogisms but by a disposition of mind, by the very expression and eyes ...In his kind of philosophy, located as it is more truly in the disposition of the mind than in syllogisms, life means more

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-85832009813992426712008-01-30T10:49:00.000Z2008-01-30T11:13:12.951Z

...that William Perkins tutored William Ames.William Ames tutored William Chappel.William Chappel tutored John Milton?I'm just sayin'.(I owe the tutoring insight to an article by Donald K. McKim called "The Functions of Ramism in William Perkins' Theology," The Sixteenth Century Journal XVI, no. 4 (1985), p. 506;

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-69829864700731224162008-01-22T13:34:00.000Z2008-01-22T14:14:40.340Z

Proverbs 10:7 tells us that "The memory of the righteous is blessed". That is one of the best arguments for the study of church history that I know of. We are often blessed by studying the lives of past saints.Such is the case with puritan minister Richard Rogers (1551-1618), who flourished during the Elizabethan and early Stuart periods. I have drawn four practical applications from the

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-81957180135038493542008-01-21T15:36:00.001Z2008-01-22T15:44:49.719Z

(Photo: Portrait in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter; posted on Wikipedia)Today is Martin Luther King day in the United States so it is a fitting time to remember someone who helped to set the stage for the civil rights movement some two hundred years before Dr. King. If you saw the William Wilberforce bio-pic, Amazing Grace, you remember the character of Olaudah Equiano. Well, soon

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-12157410769203064192008-01-18T14:10:00.000Z2008-12-09T10:27:20.329Z

Just an update to let everyone know that I have returned to the UK, after an extended stay in Texas with my family. This photo of me and my boys (Benjamin – 4, Christopher – 2) pretty much sums up what I was doing in the Lone Star State. We were in my dad's woody backyard, where the boys love to play, and I love to have some quiet time, when I get the chance.I'm back in Edinburgh alone to finish

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-88823763394335755722008-01-17T12:18:00.000Z2008-01-17T13:17:18.368Z

Great news from Crawford Gribben, Director of Texts, Contexts, and Cultures and Senior Lecturer in Early Modern Print Culture at Trinity College Dublin (click here for an older, more detailed bio).Trinity College Dublin (TCD) is offering 12 fully funded PhD scholarships in what looks like a fascinating interdisciplinary program entitled Texts, Contexts, Cultures. Here is a course description,

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-42681154270576232472008-01-15T15:31:00.000Z2008-01-15T16:17:06.969Z

Just letting everyone know once again that we are all still here. Many of our Conventiclers are feeling crunch time as they are entering into the 'serious' phase of thesis writing.I thought this little reference to the Lord of the Rings might encourage us to rally to the Conventicle before we are dropped from RSS feeds throughout Middle -Earth. Long have we known the blogging fast. Too long have

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-50173587178408762552008-01-10T19:31:00.000Z2008-01-10T21:12:00.997Z

You may notice that quite a few of my posts have to do with the 'image question'. This issue (also related to the regulative principle, the application of second commandment, etc...) is much on my mind because part of my dissertation tries to articulate the iconoclastic rationale within Reformed Orthodoxy.I was doing some background reading today in Calvin's The Necessity of Reforming the Church,

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-66044601314023460232008-01-08T17:04:00.001Z2008-01-08T17:17:43.991Z

I think we are all trying to get back into the swing of academic life after the holidays. Not to worry. More posts will follow. In the mean time:John Owen vs. Chuck Norris...Discuss.p.s. I know the Chuck Norris thing has become a little lame, but it may keep us occupied until our fearless leader, Chris Ross, comes back to the posting world:) Thanks for reading.

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-28129698340375324702007-12-28T10:26:00.000Z2007-12-28T10:52:42.581Z

At this time of year we are reminded of the resolutions of the New England pastor and theologian, Jonathan Edwards. If your New Year's resolutions are as basic as mine (do more sit-ups; read more books) then we might benefit from reviewing Edwards' meticulous list of spiritual commitments. One of the oft-quoted resolutions is 'Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live'. But this is

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-13473010521614569662007-12-24T13:08:00.000Z2007-12-24T13:18:34.871Z

"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."– Matthew 1:21"And let this be a comfort to all poor struggling and striving Christians who are not yet set at liberty from their lusts and corruptions: that it is the office of the Spirit of Christ as the king of the church, by his Spirit, to purge the church perfectly, to make it a glorious

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-51546945934259841652007-12-18T16:28:00.000Z2007-12-18T16:39:33.659Z

A helpful post by John Bloom on the Desiring God blog today. He includes this quote from puritan Thomas Wilcox:'Judge not Christ's love by providences, but by promises.' I encourage you to read the whole thing.

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-46637444274153213032007-12-17T14:20:00.003Z2007-12-17T14:24:12.961Z

Quick challenge. Who can be the first to translate this phrase without Googling it?Deum affigant ubicunque affingunt.Hint: Calvin was in an iconoclastic frame of mind when he wrote this.The prize for winning? 'Props' from our six readers!

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-16966934308510139022007-12-14T12:51:00.000Z2007-12-14T13:18:30.932Z

Last night Susan Hardman Moore (someone with whom we Conventiclers work very closely) presented a portion of her new book to a group gathered at New College, Edinburgh. The new book is called Pilgrims: New World Settlers and the Call of Home. It chronicles the compelling stories of those who migrated to the New World in the 1630s...and decided not to stay. For many different reasons, a great

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-28172284842308266882007-12-13T13:54:00.000Z2007-12-13T14:12:00.615Z

Okay, we don't really have a regular installment called New Gadget Thursday – but it's not a terrible idea, considering the day and age we live in.This is a smartpen, made by a company called Livescribe. It will record a lecture while you write notes, and allows you to find different parts of the audio recording based on what you were writing at the time.I'm starting to think tomorrow's classroom

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-50811157243966497052007-12-12T23:13:00.001Z2007-12-12T23:22:07.072Z

Tim Brister at Provocations and Pantings suggests we all make 2008 The Year of the Puritan. (Funny – that's exactly what we had planned here at the Conventicle!):As the 2007 year is quickly coming to a close, I wanted to offer a suggestion for this upcoming year. That suggestion would be to get acquainted with the Puritans. Allow me to offer five brief reasons why I believe this would be a

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-42505841106816099272007-12-10T11:11:00.000Z2007-12-10T14:34:35.125Z

I just received in the mail the recent Rutherford House (RH) newsletter. As some of our readers have asked us questions about the future of RH, I've itemized ten significant changes that have or are taking place. Most of the following information was taken from the Spring 2007 and Autumn 2007 newsletters. All quotations are from the Autumn edition.In August Dr Bob Fyall resigned as Director of RH

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-39454905669276350672007-12-07T13:18:00.001Z2007-12-07T17:30:18.474Z

For something completely different (if Chris's post on The Clash wasn't enough!)...Here's a great Christmas gift.Last night, I had the pleasure of going to a book launch for the release of a fascinating new book by Alex MacDonald (Senior Minister, Buccleuch & Greyfriars Free Church of Scotland, Edinburgh) entitled Tell Me The Story.Originally given at evangelistic guest services at Buccleuch,

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-26387895805787424092007-12-07T09:00:00.000Z2007-12-07T10:50:44.199Z

This may be the first time the words punk and puritan have ever shared the same blog-space.Even though it's thirty years old, punk rock continues to exert a strong influence on pop culture today (cf. Goth culture, Green Day and David Beckham's hair). The Clash was one of the first groups to introduce this dynamic and sometimes jarring style of music to the world.But their message was not one of

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-79832781250865166062007-12-06T12:48:00.000Z2007-12-06T12:59:53.968Z

For anyone whose life has been touched in some way by the spectre of doctoral research – an insightful comparison between the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the arduous process of earning a PhD:On their way to file the dissertation, Sam and Frodo separate one time. The separation is the result of a deception spun by a fallen soul named Gollum -- aka, the doctoral candidate who will never

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-3950821484115891832007-12-05T21:39:00.000Z2007-12-05T22:07:52.256Z

I'm glad to see one Edinburgian included – Dr. Andrew Walls, who has contributed much to our knowledge of missions history. Here's the list:1. A History of the Christian Church, Williston Walker2. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther, Roland Bainton3. The Burning Heart: John Wesley : Evangelist, A. Skevington Wood4. The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in Transmission of Faith,

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-29563189268087693142007-12-05T09:45:00.000Z2007-12-07T12:00:14.102Z

A great service has been rendered to the church by the Rev. Steven Dilday, pastor of Presbyterian Reformed Church of North Virginia, located in Warrenton.Dilday has translated the massive Bible commentary of 17th-century puritan Matthew Poole into English. The first two volumes are now available. See the Matthew Poole Project site for more details (HT: R. Andrew Myers, who works on the

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-37298657696673711652007-12-03T18:29:00.000Z2007-12-03T18:33:19.734Z

Derek Thomas picks up this theme in an article in the new reformation21.

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-9405045807788749372007-12-03T18:08:00.000Z2007-12-03T18:19:48.123Z

Derek Thomas talks with Carl Trueman about his latest book, John Owen: Reformed Catholic, Renaissance Man, over at reformation21. Here is the conclusion,[Owen] is the supreme example of a theologian who integrates a Trinitarian doctrine of God (drawing heavily on Eastern emphases) in the context of an anti-Pelagian soteriological framework along with a thorough articulation of Protestant

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-16426215940758445122007-12-02T16:35:00.000Z2007-12-06T20:30:46.422Z

In 1676 an anonymous tract was published entitled, The Holy time of Christmas defended against non-conformists and all other of its prophaners and opposers. These prophaners and opposers were our dear friends, the puritans. The opening lines of this book kind of tell it all:‘Unhappy times in which we live! That we should all believe that sixteen hundred years ago, a certain man, who was also

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-3292301921284195912007-11-28T10:10:00.000Z2008-12-09T10:27:20.792Z

Carl Trueman is Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary. He was previously Lecturer in Theology at the University of Nottingham (1993-1998), and Senior Lecturer in Church History at the University of Aberdeen (1998-2001). He has also held the position of Editor of the theological journal, Themelios, since 1998.Dr Trueman, your early research

Edwin Tayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13124665601772667481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-6497623115202620042007-11-26T11:11:00.000Z2007-11-26T11:16:49.231Z

From our Oxford pal, Richard Snoddy:There’s a lot to be said for studying someone who you enjoy reading. I was working through some manuscript sermon material yesterday where Ussher considers Christian joy. He says, ‘I would be a Christian, bycause I would be more merry then another’. Gloomy Puritan? I think not.Read the rest ...

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-4302588695286145662007-11-23T10:24:00.000Z2007-11-23T12:06:29.701Z

(From Technology Review) Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the WWW, talks about the next stage of Internet technology, the "semantic web".I'm particularly interested in how this might change the way we correlate and harmonize different forms of historical data, and the speed at which we can do so. PhDs might be written in three months, rather than three years!

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-17234475199190046732007-11-22T06:15:00.000Z2008-12-09T10:27:20.922Z

From Richard Rogers's (1550/1-1618) large spiritual manual, Seven Treatises (1603), three factors that produce thankfulness in the saint, leading him or her to return thanks in prayer:"Thanksgiving is that part of prayer, in which we, being conferred by some benefits which in favor God bestows upon us, are to love and praise him, and show forth the fruits thereof.In the which description we see

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-20278293610891107952007-11-21T21:28:00.000Z2007-11-21T22:01:15.510Z

A recent Christianity Today article by Collin Hansen notes some very encouraging trends in the US. For instance, people between 18 to 30 are today more likely to oppose abortion than any other age group. Crime and drug use are down, academic scores are up, etc., etc.But Hansen also draws implications from a connection between past religious revivals and the end-time views that prevailed during

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-53748606343492221932007-11-21T08:11:00.001Z2007-11-21T10:19:16.832Z

Tomorrow I hope to post a brief summary about Pilgrims, a brand new book debuting this month in the UK, and in the US in January, which tells the account of those who emigrated from England to the New World during the 17th century, but then, for various reasons, returned to their home country.In preparation for tomorrow's Thanksgiving holiday in the States, I thought I would share the following

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-56984866428911420182007-11-20T10:58:00.000Z2007-11-20T11:02:50.037Z

No, I'm kidding. (Mostly.)I almost missed this post: about a week ago, Michael Haykin mentioned some things he thinks the puritans got wrong.What? Did I just write that?

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-90806036918896953702007-11-20T10:31:00.000Z2007-11-20T10:38:03.137Z

"Think the Pilgrims would frown on today's football-tossing, turkey-gobbling Thanksgiving festivities? Maybe not."An article in Christian History & Biography on the pilgrims' original Thanksgiving recreation ...Image from USS Plymouth Rock Ships Assoc.

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-89187374539431415252007-11-20T06:43:00.001Z2007-11-20T06:49:17.411Z

... in yonder right side-bar.Wait, I see that we already have 11 responses ... that can only mean all our contributors have participated, and both of our visitors have filled it out twice!

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-66374046538353428102007-11-18T16:55:00.000Z2007-11-19T10:02:25.608Z

... to download a FREE, professional-quality, unabridged audio version of Jonathan Edwards's classic, Religious Affections, from ChristianAudio – read by Simon Vance, a wonderfully articulate Brit. (Use coupon code Nov2007.)More than anything else, human beings need the ability to discern true from false religion, saving faith from damning, counterfeit faith. Edwards explains the crucial

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-1807501083584901002007-11-17T15:05:00.000Z2007-11-20T06:36:32.255Z

Earlier this week Tony Reinke told how you can listen to J. I. Packer's lectures on the Puritans for free at RTS on iTunes U. Besides hearing a fabulous firsthand account of the puritans (!), you can hear Packer explain, as only he can do, how the puritans liked to 'whoop it up.' I kid you not. Listen to the first lecture to discover these worldly saints as you never have before.I wanted to wait

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-83062338418280642972007-11-17T13:47:00.000Z2007-11-20T06:35:33.325Z

Some of our readers might be interested to know that on November 30, 2007 Jacques Barzun turns 100. Perhaps best known for his resourceful book Modern Researcher (with Henry F. Graff) and his awarding winning From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Culture, from 1500 to Present, Barzun is one of the foremost cultural critics and intellectual historians of our day.The New Yorker and The New

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-82459808716621971482007-11-14T09:00:00.000Z2008-12-09T10:27:21.099Z

Prof. Collinson (right) with other scholars at the British Academy conference in SeptemberPatrick Collinson is Emeritus Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Trinity College. He is a preeminent historian of post-Reformation English religious history, and his name will be familiar to anyone who has researched the early modern period in depth. His first

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-12207839035096138502007-11-12T20:27:00.000Z2008-12-09T10:27:21.257Z

I hope I didn't slaughter the Dutch language with that title – it's supposed to mean, "Greetings to all our Dutch readers".A few weeks ago, Edwin and I had the great pleasure of meeting another puritan enthusiast from across the pond. No, not that pond – he was from the Netherlands. Willem van Klinken (pictured) came to Edinburgh to visit the Banner of Truth headquarters here, and to interview

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-61124048810849104792007-11-11T16:17:00.001Z2007-11-11T16:31:38.263Z

Our senior pastor preached on Jeremiah 45 today (hear the sermon), which relates an account about Baruch, the scribe who recorded that prophet's mostly gloomy messages. He had become discouraged about the way things had fallen out in his lifetime, and he despaired of the future.In a well-known passage, the Lord spoke to Baruch personally to give him some needed perspective : "And do you seek

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-2691554706205658972007-11-09T18:16:00.000Z2008-12-09T10:27:21.422Z

Early next week, God willing, I will be posting a brief 'Conventicle Q&A' with Professor Patrick Collinson, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, who is perhaps the most renowned historian of puritanism alive today. Prof. Collinson was gracious enough to answer some of my questions, when I spoke with him at a recent British Academy conference.Collinson has written several books and essays. His

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-13315613424554025632007-11-07T19:02:00.000Z2007-11-07T19:42:09.414Z

Mark your calendars!John Owen for Today Conference When: 19-22 August 2008Where: Westminster College, CambridgeSpeakers: Alan Spence, Steve Holmes, Carl Trueman, Kelly Kapic, Sebastian Rehnman, Crawford Gribben, Suzanne Macdonald, & Michael HortonFor more information, click here.

John W. Tweeddalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341179805931137262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-79887357680169025482007-11-04T07:40:00.000Z2007-11-05T15:51:37.315Z

Back in September I shared how someone might become familiar with the outlines of the puritan movement's history by studying specific events (via Wikipedia). Another, equally effective way is by looking at important people. Here are ten (anti-puritans in italics):John Field (1545–1588) – the brief Wikipedia entry belies his importance as chief organizer of puritan networks across England during

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-6227896614794954702007-10-31T08:23:00.000Z2007-10-31T08:53:05.445Z

Ken Baker, the Academic Dean at Wisdom Christian College (University of Wales) in London, has a brief, informative post on puritans and the theatreAn online sermon (audio) by Kevin Swanson (Reformation Church, OPC) called "The Puritans and Why People Hate Them So Much"The basic historical premise of this article by Tina Dupuy is correct, but that's about all I can say for it (personally speaking)

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-56372595065068795672007-10-22T14:43:00.000+01:002007-10-22T14:58:09.923+01:00

Uncertain times demand certain preaching. At the dawn of the 1640s, Charles I assembled the ‘Short Parliament’ only to dissolve it ‘shortly’ thereafter when it refused to grant him the money he needed to recover from the first of two Bishops Wars (Bellum Episcopale) with Scotland. Later in 1640, the ‘Long Parliament’ assembled and soon made it clear that they were interested in discussing only

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-81688349585257630172007-10-19T08:46:00.000+01:002007-10-19T07:27:41.043+01:00

I hope all our British friends will watch this with a sense of humor humour. This is not unlike the narrative we are taught in elementary school, in the States (or at least, we were, 30 years ago). "No More Kings" was part of a series called Schoolhouse Rock!. These 3-minute clips were once a staple on Saturday mornings, aired between our favorite cartoons.I would love to hear how these events

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-55219935402457563832007-10-15T08:58:00.000+01:002008-12-09T10:27:21.931Z

Richard Snoddy (pictured here with Tim at a recent conference; left), who is working on a doctorate down at Oxford, researching the theology of puritan James Ussher, began a new blog this past week, called diatheke.Richard is a self-confessed Conventicle reader, but don't hold that against him. From the looks of things, his posts will be a good deal more substantive than ours. Here are titles to

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-2385675441993953762007-10-13T09:22:00.000+01:002007-10-13T09:55:46.765+01:00

Christianity Today's Peter T. Chattaway offers a review of Elizabeth: The Golden Age, the new sequel to Elizabeth (1998), starring Cate Blanchett (AKA young Bob Dylan). Chattaway was not overwhelmed:"Yes, The Golden Age has a sea battle and one or two other new bits, thanks to its presumably bigger budget. But for the most part, it plays like a pale retread of the film that earned Cate Blanchett

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-68464368671920901812007-10-11T09:11:00.000+01:002008-12-09T10:27:22.034Z

I found a program online that I'm very excited about: a podcast called LATINUM, hosted by Evan Millner, a South African fellow who is based in London.LATINUM is based on the premise that to truly learn a language, one must 'install' it in one's brain by hearing and speaking it often (and not just read and write it and study paradigms and cases, as in traditional language-learning programs).These

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-29321093464214330652007-10-09T05:00:00.000+01:002008-12-09T10:27:22.409Z

Historian John Foxe (1517–1587) was a contemporary of the Elizabethan puritans. He shared many of their sentiments regarding the Church of Rome and the English Church. Foxe's Acts and Monuments was an extremely popular text among the puritans, second only to the Bible. It has been republished over the centuries and is still read today – usually in abridged form, as Foxe's Book of Martyrs.Dr.

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-45271125568541790192007-10-05T09:35:00.000+01:002007-10-05T11:15:46.598+01:00

Over at the Pyros' blog there's been a lot of talk lately about sub-standard church leaders. I thought this would be an appropriate way to show this is not a modern problem.One of the chief complaints of the puritan movement, from its earliest days during the reign of Elizabeth I, was the dearth of worthy, 'learned' ministers. If the English church were to be truly reformed, they insisted, its

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-56539149411856706842007-10-03T10:57:00.000+01:002007-10-04T07:35:36.651+01:00

This post is for those of you who have access to Early English Books Online (EEBO). Reading The Culture of English Puritanism (Durston and Eales, eds.) reminded me of a few resources for defining/describing puritanism. These three sources were written from within the puritan 'camp' during the seventeenth century. If you have access to EEBO, they may be worth a read.The Plea of the Innocent (1602)

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-8109838099536367562007-10-02T09:58:00.000+01:002007-10-02T14:53:09.152+01:00

Review of Heidi Nichols's Anne Bradstreet: The Guided Tour of the Life and Thought of a Puritan PoetSarah GraftonReformation21 (website)For some, far too many school children and public leaders still believe in a Creator. With their creeds of intolerance now bestsellers, noted atheists decry the “flagrantly irrational” idea of a God-created universe. One such atheist, Sam Harris, laments the “

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-87464212942931267452007-09-29T08:07:00.000+01:002007-09-29T09:43:47.892+01:00

Wikipedia may not the most reliable source of scholarly information, but it can be a very helpful resource during the preliminary stages of knowledge-gathering, much like any conventional encyclopedia.Here are links to what I consider ten of the most crucial events in the history of puritanism – all discussed on Wikipedia. I would advise reading (or even just perusing) these in chronological

Chris Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832290458905110111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15871180.post-63039985355764700972007-09-28T11:20:00.000+01:002007-09-28T13:06:55.687+01:00

I know some of you are gearing up for his birthday celebration, but I thought I would remind the rest of you that Chinese philosopher, teacher, and political theorist Confucius was born on this day in 551 BC (I am not exactly sure how they are dating this one).Lest you think I just knew this, I will tell you that I get an e-mail with these kind of facts every day. This, by the way, is also the

Bridgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110283457841172630noreply@blogger.com0