Medieval History Archives - Page 3 of 4

Top Ten Bible Verses in Medieval England

According to Bible Gateway, the top Bible verses in 2016 were John 3:16, Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4: 6 and 13, Romans 8:28, and Psalm 23:1-6. So modern Christians with access to Bible Gateway focus on how God saves us and how God promises to take…

Beth Allison BarrMay 3, 2017

Book Reviews British History Church History Medieval History

A Reasonable Reading List for Medieval Christianity: Part 2

If you ever have the chance, visit the church of St. Bartholomew the Great in London St. Bart’s, as it is affectionately known, stands in Smithfield, just outside the old London wall. I recommend a Sunday morning walk to it from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Go…

Beth Allison BarrMarch 22, 2017

Book Reviews Church History Medieval History Uncategorized

A Reasonable Reading List for Medieval Christianity: Part 1

If, after my last post "Did Medieval Christians Know Jesus?," you realized you had no framework for understanding the Investiture Controversy, Fourth Lateran Council, or even transubstantiation; or, while eating a stack of pancakes for dinner last Tuesday (Fat Tuesday), you realized you had no…

Beth Allison BarrMarch 8, 2017

American Religion British History Church History Contemporary Connections Evangelicalism Medieval History

Did Medieval Christians Know Jesus?

St. Peter's Basilica, Rome Recently I was made aware of an online church history curriculum. At first glance, it seemed promising (at least from my perspective as a medievalist). It dedicated two weeks to the Medieval Church (five if you include the three weeks of…

Beth Allison BarrFebruary 22, 2017

#ChurchToo Activism American Religion British History Christian Patriarchy Church History Complimentarianism Contemporary Connections Evangelicalism Medieval History

A Tale of Two Pastors: Mark Driscoll and A (Medieval) New Year’s Proposal for the 2017 Church

This is a story of two pastors. The first was a vicar in the deanery of Salisbury, England, in 1412. His name was Alexander Champion. He was accused of abusing his ecclesiastical authority by sexually exploiting the women in his care. His parishioners claimed he…

Beth Allison BarrDecember 28, 2016

British History Church History Featured Medieval History

Because Xmas really is Xpian…

I literally stumbled across St. Bride’s church in London this summer. Walking down Fleet Street toward St. Paul’s Cathedral, I was considering eating at Ye Olde Chesire Cheese when I looked up and saw the wedding cake spire designed by Christopher Wren. It wasn’t until…

Beth Allison BarrDecember 17, 2016

British History Church History Medieval History

The Peace of Christmas during the Pain of Life

St. Alkmund’s, Shrewsbury, Shropshire In the far west of England, almost to Wales, the medieval spire of St. Alkmund’s parish church reaches high above the old city of Shrewsbury. One “vane” of A.E. Housman’s immortal line: “High the vanes of Shrewsbury gleam islanded in Severn…

Beth Allison BarrDecember 14, 2016

American Religion Church History Contemporary Connections Evangelicalism Medieval History

Bringing the Spirit of (Medieval) Santa Back to Christmas

Every Christmas in the yard of a house not far from us stands a manger scene. The Christ Child rocks gently in his small white wooden manger; his halo glowing from the spotlight. Instead of Mary and Joseph gazing at their holy infant, or even…

Beth Allison BarrNovember 30, 2016

American Religion British History Church History Contemporary Connections Evangelicalism Medieval History

When Churches Fail

In Eastcheap, near Fenchurch St. in London, stands the medieval church of St. Margaret Pattens. Founded in 1067 and rebuilt by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666, it slowly lost its congregation. It was closed as a parish church in 1952—more than 900…

Beth Allison BarrNovember 16, 2016

American Religion Church History Contemporary Connections Evangelicalism Medieval History the Bible

Of Pastors and Power: Mark Driscoll and the Avignon Papacy

I made the mistake recently of reading Mark Driscoll’s 2008 Crossway book On Church Leadership. For those of you who have forgotten, or just blocked it, Mark Driscoll was the former pastor of the Mars Hill megachurch. He resigned deep in scandal in 2014, but…

Beth Allison BarrAugust 24, 2016

Medieval History