Biblogic

Athanasius of Alexandria was an early Christian bishop, theologian, and writer who lived in the 4th century AD. He is most known for his role in the theological disputes of the 4th century and his defense of the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ against the teachings of Arianism. Born in Alexandria, Egypt around the year 296 AD, Athanasius became a deacon in the church there and was eventually ordained as a priest. In 328 AD, he was elected as bishop of Alexandria, a position he held for the rest of his life. During his time as bishop, Athanasius was a vocal opponent of the teachings of Arius, a presbyter in Alexandria who taught that Jesus was a created being, distinct from God the Father. Athanasius argued that Jesus was fully God and co-eternal with the Father, a doctrine that became known as the Nicene Creed. In addition to his theological writings, Athanasius is also remembered for his role in the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where he was one of the most vocal supporters of

Herod the Great

Herod the Great was a King of Judea, who ruled the territory from 37 BC to 4 BC. He was born in 73 BC in Idumea, which was then a province of the Roman Empire, to a family of Edomite origin. He was appointed as king by the Roman Senate and became known for his political savvy, military prowess, and ambitious building projects. One of Herod's most famous accomplishments was the renovation and expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which became one of the largest and most magnificent religious structures of its time. He also built several fortresses, including the famous Masada, and created a network of roads and aqueducts throughout his kingdom. Herod was known for his cruelty, and his reign was marked by multiple massacres, including the infamous slaughter of the Innocents, in which he ordered the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate the prophesied Messiah. He also executed several members of his own family, including his wife and two of his son

Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 306 to 337 AD. He is widely considered as one of the most influential figures in Western history, as his reign marked a decisive turning point in the decline of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Byzantine Empire. Constantine was born in the city of Naissus, present-day Niš in Serbia, in 272 AD. He was the son of Flavius Valerius Constantius, a Roman army officer, and Helena, who later became known for her piety and was venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Constantine rose to prominence as a military leader and was appointed as Caesar, the deputy emperor, by his father. After his father's death, Constantine fought a series of civil wars to secure his own claim to the throne, eventually emerging victorious. One of Constantine's most famous acts was his conversion to Christianity, which he did after a vision he had before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. He then issued the Edict of Mila

Theodosius I

Theodosius I was a Roman emperor who ruled from 379 to 395 AD. He was born in Spain in 346 AD and was the last emperor to rule over both the eastern and western parts of the Roman Empire. Theodosius rose to power during a time of great turmoil in the Roman Empire. He inherited a divided empire and was faced with numerous challenges, including religious tensions between pagans and Christians, as well as military threats from invading barbarian tribes. Despite these challenges, Theodosius was able to consolidate his power and establish a stable rule. One of the most significant actions of Theodosius' reign was his declaration of Christianity as the official state religion of the Roman Empire. This decision had far-reaching consequences, as it marked the end of paganism and the beginning of the dominance of Christianity in the western world. Theodosius also took steps to strengthen the unity of the empire by promoting a common culture and language, as well as by suppressing dissent an

Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher born on June 19, 1623, in Clermont-Ferrand, France. He is regarded as one of the greatest scientists and thinkers in history, having made significant contributions in the fields of mathematics, physics, and philosophy. Pascal was a prodigy and showed an early aptitude for mathematics and science. He is best known for his work in mathematics, where he laid the foundation for the modern theory of probabilities and introduced the concept of a triangular array of numbers, now known as Pascal's Triangle. He also invented one of the first mechanical calculators, called the Pascaline, which helped lay the groundwork for the development of the modern computer. In addition to his scientific achievements, Pascal was also a deeply religious man who had a profound spiritual experience in 1654, which he described in his famous Pensées. In these reflections, Pascal grappled with the existence of God and the meaning of life, and

Peter Waldo

Peter Waldo, also known as Pierre de Walde, was a Christian religious leader and reformer who lived in the 12th century. He is best known as the founder of the Waldensian movement, a Christian community that advocated for a return to a more simple and ascetic way of life. Waldo was born in Lyon, France and was a wealthy merchant before he became deeply religious and renounced his wealth. He became a disciple of a hermit named Theobald and together they started preaching a message of poverty and simplicity. Waldo attracted a following of like-minded individuals and formed the Waldensian movement, which became known for its rejection of material wealth and its focus on living a life of simplicity and devotion to God. The Waldensians faced opposition from the Catholic Church, which considered them heretical for their rejection of the authority of the Pope and the Church. Waldo and his followers were eventually excommunicated and forced to flee from their homes. Despite facing persecution,

Karl Barth

Karl Barth (May 10, 1886 – December 10, 1968) was a Swiss Reformed theologian and pastor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Christian thinkers of the 20th century. He is best known for his book "Church Dogmatics," a monumental work that sought to reform and revitalize Protestant theology in the face of the challenges posed by modernity. Barth was born in Basel, Switzerland, and studied at the University of Berlin, where he was influenced by the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Søren Kierkegaard, and other philosophers. After serving as a pastor in Switzerland, he was appointed professor of theology at the University of Göttingen in Germany in 1921. It was during this time that he began to develop the ideas that would later form the basis of his theology. Barth's theology is characterized by a commitment to the primacy of the Word of God, which he understood as the revelation of God's grace in Jesus Christ. He rejected the idea of natural theology, which holds

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident. He was born in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), into a family of academics and church leaders. He studied theology in Berlin and later in New York City, where he was exposed to a vibrant religious community and developed his appreciation for ecumenism. Bonhoeffer was ordained as a pastor in 1931 and became a professor of theology in Berlin in 1933. However, his opposition to the Nazi regime soon put him at odds with the government. He was involved in the Confessing Church, a movement of German Christians who opposed the Nazi-controlled state church. In 1939, Bonhoeffer was asked to join an anti-Nazi resistance group, and he became an active participant in their efforts to overthrow the regime. He was arrested in 1943 for his involvement in the failed July 20 Plot to assassinate Hitler and was held in various prisons until his execution by hanging in April 1945. Bonhoeffer is best k

Girolamo Savonarola

Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498) was an Italian friar, preacher, and religious reformer who lived during the late Renaissance. Born in Ferrara, Italy, he joined the Dominican Order and became a famous preacher in Florence. Savonarola was known for his fiery sermons and his strict moral code, which he imposed on the citizens of Florence through his "Bonfire of the Vanities." He called for a return to traditional Christian values and advocated for social, political, and religious reforms, including the end of corruption in the church. Savonarola's influence in Florence grew rapidly, and he became one of the most powerful figures in the city, challenging the rule of the Medici family. However, his rise to power also attracted opposition from the papacy and other Italian states, and he was eventually excommunicated and arrested. In 1498, Savonarola was put on trial for heresy and, after being tortured, he was found guilty and burned at the stake. Despite his short-lived career

Jan Hus

Jan Hus (1369-1415) was a Bohemian religious reformer, philosopher, and master at Charles University in Prague. He was one of the most prominent figures of the Bohemian Reformation, a religious and political movement that sought to reform the corruption and excesses of the Roman Catholic Church in the late Middle Ages. Hus was born in the Czech town of Husinec, and after studying at the University of Prague, he became a priest and a popular preacher. He was critical of the papacy and the sale of indulgences, and he advocated for the elimination of these practices and the use of the Bible as the sole source of religious authority. Hus' ideas gained popularity in Bohemia, but they also attracted opposition from the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire. In 1415, he was arrested and put on trial for heresy. Despite being offered a safe-conduct to attend the Council of Constance, where he was to defend his ideas, Hus was arrested and burned at the stake as a heretic. Jan Hus's

Bünting Clover Leaf Map

The Bünting Clover Leaf Map, also known as "The World in a Cloverleaf," is a historical mappa mundi created by German pastor and cartographer Heinrich Bünting in 1581. The map was published in his book "Itinerarium Sacrae Scripturae" and is now part of the Eran Laor maps collection in the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem. There is also a mosaic model of the map on display at Safra Square in Jerusalem.

John Amos Comenius

Jan Amos Komenský, also known as John Amos Comenius, was a Czech philosopher, educator, and writer who lived from 1592 to 1670. He is considered to be the father of modern education and one of the most important figures in the history of education. Comenius was born in Moravia, which was then part of the Habsburg Empire, and he became a bishop of the Unity of the Brethren, a Protestant denomination. He was forced to flee from his homeland due to religious persecution, and he lived in several countries throughout Europe, including Sweden, the Netherlands, and England. Throughout his life, Comenius was dedicated to reforming education and promoting universal education for all children, regardless of their social status or gender. He wrote numerous works on education, including "Orbis Sensualium Pictus" (The Visible World in Pictures), which was the first picture book for children and a precursor to modern textbooks. He also wrote "Didactica Magna" (The Great Didactic)

Menno Simons

Menno Simons was a Dutch Anabaptist leader and theologian who lived from 1496 to 1561. He was born in Witmarsum, a small village in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. He was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, but later became a priest in the Dutch Reformed Church. However, after encountering the teachings of the Anabaptist movement, Simons became convinced of the error of infant baptism and left the Dutch Reformed Church to become an Anabaptist himself. He soon became a leader in the movement and was highly respected for his teachings and leadership. Simons was known for his peaceful and non-violent approach to Anabaptist beliefs and practices, and he wrote several influential works, including his "Foundation of Christian Doctrine." In these writings, he emphasized the importance of living a life in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and avoiding worldly pursuits and pleasures.

Josephus

Flavius Josephus, also known as Joseph ben Matthias, was a Jewish historian, priest, and commander born in Jerusalem in 37/38 CE. He was a descendant of the Hasmonean priestly and royal family, and was raised in a priestly family. During the First Jewish-Roman War (66-70 CE), Josephus was appointed commander of Jewish forces in Galilee. After being defeated by the Romans, he defected to their side and was granted Roman citizenship. He became a trusted advisor to the Roman commander Vespasian, and accompanied him to Rome. After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE, Josephus wrote "The Jewish War," a detailed account of the conflict from a Jewish perspective. He also wrote "Antiquities of the Jews," a comprehensive history of the Jewish people from creation to the outbreak of the First Jewish-Roman War. In addition to his historical writings, Josephus is known for his accounts of the Judean desert sect known as the Essenes and his mention of Jesus in "Antiquities of th

John Wycliffe

John Wycliffe (1320-1384) was an English theologian, philosopher, and early proponent of reform in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. He is most famous for his role in the translation of the Bible into Middle English and for his beliefs on church reform. Wycliffe studied at Oxford University and became a master of arts and a fellow of Merton College. He was a highly regarded teacher and was known for his critical thinking skills and his ability to challenge traditional church teachings. He believed that the Bible was the ultimate source of religious authority, rather than the Pope or the Church, and that all Christians had the right to study and interpret it for themselves. Wycliffe's views were seen as controversial, and he faced opposition from the established Church. Nevertheless, he continued to advocate for his beliefs and gained a large following of supporters, who were known as Lollards. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the first English-langu

William Tyndale

William Tyndale (1494-1536) was an English scholar and translator who is considered to be one of the greatest figures in the development of the English language. He was born in Gloucestershire, England and received a formal education at Oxford University. Tyndale is best known for his work in translating the Bible into English, which was a significant contribution to the English Reformation movement. At the time, the Bible was only available in Latin and was not accessible to the general population. Tyndale saw this as a major issue and set out to make the Bible accessible to all, regardless of their social status or level of education. He began his translation work in 1524 and produced several editions of the New Testament in English, which were widely distributed throughout England and Europe. Despite the opposition of the Church and the government, Tyndale continued his work and even published an English translation of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). This

Tertullian

Tertullian was a prominent early Christian author and church leader, who lived in the Roman Empire during the late second and early third centuries AD. He was born in Carthage, a city in North Africa, and was raised in a pagan family. He later converted to Christianity and became a prominent voice in the early Christian Church. Tertullian is considered to be the first Latin Christian author, and his writings represent an important source of information about the beliefs and practices of the early Church. Tertullian wrote extensively on a variety of theological and practical subjects, including the nature of God, the role of the Church, the Christian life, and the relationship between the Church and the Roman Empire. One of Tertullian's most famous works is "Apologeticus," a defense of the Christian faith against Roman accusations of atheism and immorality. In this work, Tertullian argued that Christianity was not only a lawful religion, but also a superior one, and he so

Richard Wurmbrand

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Christian minister and author who is best known for his writings on the experiences of Christians in Romania during the communist regime. He was born on March 24, 1909, in Bucharest, Romania and grew up in a Jewish family. He was raised in a secular environment, but eventually became a Christian through a series of spiritual experiences. Wurmbrand became a Lutheran pastor in Romania and was active in his work until the communist takeover of Romania in 1948. Under the communist regime, he was arrested and imprisoned for his faith, spending a total of 14 years in prison and labor camps. During his time in prison, Wurmbrand suffered torture and abuse, but he refused to renounce his faith. After his release, Wurmbrand and his wife, Sabina, emigrated to the West, where he became a voice for persecuted Christians around the world. He wrote several books about his experiences in Romania, including the best-selling "Tortured for Christ," which was tra

Lina Sandell

Lina Sandell (full name: Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg) (3 October 1832 – 27 July 1903) was a Swedish hymn writer and songwriter, born in Töreboda, Sweden. She was the daughter of a Lutheran minister and grew up in the rectory at Fröderyd parish. At age 12, she experienced a partial paralysis that was considered hopeless by physicians, but she was healed after reading the Bible and praying. After her father drowned in her presence, she wrote more hymns expressing her gratitude and love for God. She wrote over 600 hymns, including "Children of the Heavenly Father" and "Day by day." Sandell was popularized by the performances of Oscar Ahnfelt and Jenny Lind, who sang and financed the publication of her hymns. Sandell was married in 1867 to Oscar Berg and they lived in Stockholm. She died in 1903 due to typhoid fever and was buried at Solna Church. A train in Småland and Halland is named after her and there is also a statue of her at North Park University in Chicago

Paris Reidhead

Paris Reidhead was a Christian evangelist, teacher, writer, and advocate for economic development in impoverished nations. He was born in Minnesota and committed himself to a life of Christian service in his late teens. He worked with the Sudan Interior Mission surveying and analyzing indigenous languages, where he had a spiritual crisis and became convinced that much of evangelicalism had adopted philosophies contrary to Biblical teachings. Upon his return to the US, he worked as a Deputation Secretary of SIM, taught at national conferences, and was a pastor at New York City's Gospel Tabernacle. He was committed to enabling impoverished people in developing nations to help themselves and rise out of poverty and founded the Institute for International Development and Enterprise Development International, a non-profit Christian organization for economic development. He died in Woodbridge, Virginia in 1992.

Sadhu Kochkunju Upadesi

Sadhu Kochkunju Upadesi (1883-1945) was a Christian evangelist, poet and composer from South India. Born in Edayaranmula, Kerala, he accepted Jesus at the age of 11 and committed himself to the ministry at 17. He travelled all over Kerala, South India, and Sri Lanka to preach the gospel, relying on prayer and guidance from God. He was known for his engaging speeches and use of stories, examples, and humor, incorporating his own compositions in his gatherings. He brought revival to many parts of South India and his successful ministry opened the doors to future Christian missions. Many came to hear his message and accept Christ as their savior, and the conversions were largely genuine.

Hugh Latimer

Hugh Latimer (1485-1555) was an English bishop and Protestant martyr during the reign of Queen Mary I. Latimer was a prominent figure in the early stages of the English Reformation and was known for his fiery sermons, which challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the Bishop of Worcester from 1535 to 1539 and was a close advisor to King Henry VIII. During the reign of Queen Mary I, Latimer was arrested for heresy and burned at the stake in 1555. He is remembered as one of the Oxford Martyrs, who were key figures in the English Reformation and helped lay the foundations for the Church of England.

William Mitchell Ramsay

- February 06, 2023

William Mitchell Ramsay (15 March 1851 – 20 April 1939) was a Scottish archaeologist and New Testament scholar who specialized in the historical geography of Asia Minor and the study of the letters of the apostle Paul. He is best known for his work "The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on His Life and Thought", which is still considered a standard reference on the subject. Ramsay was a fellow of the British Academy and received several honors, including the Victoria Medal of the Royal Geographical Society. He made major contributions to the understanding of the history, culture, and geography of the ancient world and was one of the foremost scholars of his time.

Godhead as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Eternal or Convenient?

- February 06, 2023

Is the nature of God, revealed as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 8:6, 2 Cor. 3:17, Col. 2:9, John 1:14) an eternal arrangement or merely a convenient one? This question is significant because it highlights the a key difference of significance between the Trinitarian and Unitarian positions on the nature of God. The Trinitarian view holds that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united as three persons in one Godhead. In contast, Unitarianism view the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as manifestations of the single supreme creator God. Thus, it is easy to see why some might be led to view this framework as a purer version of monotheism relative to Trinitarianism. Unitarianism, as well as related frameworks such as Sabellianism and Monarchianism are also attractive, in an apologetic setting in that it is easier to counter when pressed by the interrogations of monotheistic sceptics, who deny that trinitarianism teaches the oneness of God. In contrast, Trinitarians commonly

Johann Sebastian Bach

- February 06, 2023

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque era. He is considered one of the greatest composers of all time and is known for his intricate keyboard music, choral works, and orchestral suites. Born in Eisenach, Germany, he was the youngest member of a musical family and received training from his father and brothers. He held various positions as a church organist and conductor throughout his career, including positions in Weimar, Köthen, and Leipzig. His works, including the Goldberg Variations, the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Mass in B Minor, are still widely performed today and are regarded as milestones of Western classical music. Despite his contributions to music, Bach was not widely recognized as a great composer until several decades after his death.

Edwin Orr

Edwin Orr (1912-1987) was a Northern Irish-born evangelical preacher and historian of revival movements. He is remembered for his preaching on the topic of revival and his research on the history of spiritual awakenings. Orr traveled extensively, preaching in many countries and inspiring people with his messages of revival and spiritual renewal. He wrote numerous books, including "The Shaking of Adventism" and "The Great Evangelical Disaster", which helped to popularize the study of revival history and theology.

Mary Slessor

Mary Slessor (1848-1915) was a Scottish Christian evangelist who spent over 30 years in southeastern Nigeria. Born in poverty in Scotland, she was sent to work in a textile mill at the age of 7. Despite limited formal education, Slessor felt a calling to mission work and eventually joined the Presbyterian Church's overseas mission in Calabar, Nigeria in 1876. Slessor is remembered for her tireless efforts to improve the lives of the people she served, including ending the practice of killing twins, advocating for women's rights, and founding several schools and orphanages.

David Pawson

David Pawson was a British biblical scholar and Christian teacher, best known for his extensive writing and teaching on the Bible. He was born in 1930 and has served as a pastor and evangelist in the UK and internationally. He is a well-respected speaker and author, having written many books, including "Unlocking the Bible" and "The Normal Christian Birth." Pawson's teaching focuses on the plain meaning of the text and the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context in which it was written. He has also been a strong advocate for biblical literacy and has challenged the Church to return to a deep commitment to the study and application of the Bible. He died in 2020.

A. J. Gordon

A. J. Gordon was a 19th-century American Baptist pastor, author, and founder of Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. Born in 1836, Gordon was educated at Brown University and Andover Theological Seminary. He served as a pastor at several churches in Massachusetts and became known for his strong preaching and commitment to missions. In 1889, he founded Gordon College, which was initially established to prepare men for ministry in foreign missions. Gordon wrote several books, including "The Ministry of Healing."

Martin Luther

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk, theologian, and church reformer who initiated the Protestant Reformation. Born in Saxony, Luther was trained as a lawyer but decided to become a monk. While studying the Bible, he came to disagree with several key teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences and the authority of the Pope. In 1517, he famously posted his "Ninety-Five Theses" on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, which challenged the Church's practices and sparked a wider movement for reform. Luther's ideas and writings gained widespread support, and he became a central figure in the development of the new Protestant tradition. He translated the Bible into German, making it accessible to the general population and contributing to the growth of German nationalism. He also wrote numerous hymns, many of which remain popular today. Despite facing opposition from the Catholic Church and political authorities, Luther persisted

William Carey

William Carey (1761-1834) was an English Baptist evangelist, linguist, and educator who worked in India. He was born in Northamptonshire, England, and trained as a shoemaker. Carey was inspired by a sermon by John Wesley to dedicate his life to mission work and he became a Baptist preacher. In 1793, Carey set sail for India, where he spent the rest of his life as a teacher, translator, and cultural reformer. He founded the Serampore College and was instrumental in the translation and publication of the Bible into various Indian languages.

Charles Finney

Charles Grandison Finney was an American revivalist preacher, Christian leader, and theologian during the early 19th century. He was a major figure in the Second Great Awakening, a religious revival that swept across the United States and had a profound impact on American religion and culture. Finney was born in Warren, Connecticut in 1792 and grew up in a deeply religious household. However, he did not have a conversion experience until he was in his twenties, after which he felt called to enter the ministry. He began preaching in western New York and soon gained a reputation as a powerful and persuasive speaker. Finney's revivalist preaching was characterized by his emotional and passionate style, and he became known for his innovative approach to revivalism. He was one of the first preachers to use "altar calls," in which he would invite people to come forward and publicly commit their lives to Jesus. He was also one of the first preachers to use "anxious seats,&q

James Clerk Maxwell

James Clerk Maxwell was a Scottish physicist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of electromagnetism. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time, and his work laid the foundation for many of the technological advances of the 20th century. Maxwell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1831 and showed a remarkable aptitude for mathematics and science from an early age. He went on to study at the University of Edinburgh and later at Cambridge, where he developed an interest in the mathematical foundations of physics. In 1855, Maxwell published a paper on the theory of color, which laid the foundation for the study of color vision. In 1864, he published "A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism," which was a comprehensive work on the principles of electromagnetism. This work was considered a masterpiece and is widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of science. Maxwell was a devout Christian and his fait

Keswick Convention

The Keswick Convention is an annual Christian gathering that takes place in Keswick, England. It was founded in 1875 and is one of the largest and longest-running events of its kind in the world. The convention is known for its focus on spiritual renewal and discipleship, and it attracts thousands of attendees from around the world each year.

Rees Howells

Rees Howells (1879-1950) was a Welsh revivalist and Christian missionary who is best known for his intercessory prayer ministry. He served as the principal of the Bible College of Wales in Swansea and was a strong advocate for world missions and revival. Howells was deeply devoted to prayer and fasting, and is known for his passionate pursuit of the presence of God in his life and the lives of others. He is remembered for his commitment to prayer and for his belief in the power of intercession to bring about spiritual awakening and transformative change in the world.

John Calvin

John Calvin (1509-1564) was a French theologian and pastor who was a central figure in the development of the Protestant Reformation. He is best known for his Institutes of the Christian Religion, a comprehensive work on theology, and for his role in the development of the Presbyterian Church. Calvin's teachings emphasized predestination, the sovereignty of God, and the importance of individual interpretation of the Bible. He was a prolific writer and his ideas had a major impact on the development of Protestantism

Alfred Edersheim

Alfred Edersheim (1825-1889) was a British biblical scholar and Christian theologian of Austrian-Jewish origin. He is best known for his works on the history and culture of the Jewish people in the Second Temple period and his multi-volume "The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah." Edersheim's works are still widely regarded as valuable sources of information for anyone studying the New Testament and the historical context of the early Christian Church. He was a devout Christian who sought to combine his deep knowledge of the Bible with his love for the Jewish people and his commitment to historical accuracy.

Wilhelm Gesenius

Wilhelm Gesenius (1786-1842) was a German orientalist and biblical scholar. He was a professor of theology and oriental languages at the University of Halle and is considered one of the greatest biblical scholars of the 19th century. Gesenius made significant contributions to the study of the Hebrew language, including the development of a Hebrew lexicon, which was widely used and is still considered a standard reference work today. He also wrote important works on the history of the Hebrew language, the biblical text, and Semitic philology.

John Newton

John Newton (1725-1807) was an English Anglican clergyman, hymn writer, and former slave trader. He is best known for writing the hymn "Amazing Grace," which has become one of the most well-known and beloved Christian hymns in the world. Newton was born in London and went to sea as a teenager, where he became involved in the slave trade. He had a profound spiritual conversion in 1748 and retired from seafaring to become a priest in the Church of England. He spent the rest of his life as a cleric, preaching and writing hymns.

Anno Mundi

Anno Mundi (AM) is a Latin term meaning "Year of the World." It is a chronology used in Jewish and some Christian calendars that dates events from the creation of the world. In Jewish tradition, it is calculated to be approximately 3761 BCE. James Ussher calculated the year of creation as 4004 BCE, based on a study of the genealogies mentioned in the Bible. His calculation of Anno Mundi was widely accepted in the 17th century and was included in many early editions of the King James Bible. Isaac Newton (1642-1727) calculated the year of creation as 3988 BCE, which was slightly different from Ussher's calculation.

Henry Scougal

Henry Scougal (1650-1678) was a Scottish theologian and author best known for his book "The Life of God in the Soul of Man," published posthumously in 1678. He was a student at King's College, University of Aberdeen and became a minister in the Church of Scotland. Despite his short life, Scougal's book had a profound impact on the spiritual lives of many and continues to be widely read and highly regarded today. He is remembered for his teachings on the nature of God's love, the role of faith in the Christian life, and the pursuit of true holiness.

Jakob Amman

Jakob Amman was a Swiss Anabaptist leader who is best known as the founder of the Amish religious movement in the late 17th century. He was born in Switzerland in 1644 and became a leader in the Anabaptist movement, which stressed the importance of adult baptism, non-violent resistance, and separation from the world. Amman's teachings and beliefs eventually led to the formation of the Amish community, which is known for its simple lifestyle, traditional values, and rejection of modern technology. No known images of Amman exists.

Isaac Newton