Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address

I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive... [Read more]

The Destruction of Sennacherib

by Lord Byron 1 THE Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea, When the blue wave rolls nightly on the Galilee. 2 Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green, That host with their banners at sunset were seen: Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown, That host... [Read more]

The Islamic Fives

Five Basic Tenets of Islam There is only one God, Allah. Muhammad was the last and the greatest of the prophets. The Qur’an is the sacred book—the last after the Torah and the Gospels. Life on earth is a preparation for eternal life. The faithful are expected to adore Allah, praise Muhammad, follow the Qur’an and perform good deesd. The Five Pillars of Islam Shahadah—Profession of Faith:... [Read more]

Vespasian and Rabbi Johanan ben Zakkai

Rabbi Johanan beheld the starvation of the people of Jerusalem, and he held a secret conference with the leader of the Zealots.  The leader said: “I have lost authority over the Zealots; if I should accept your counsel and advise surrender to them, they would slay me.  I suggest that you pretend to sicken and die, and they shall permit your casket to leave the city.”  When the Rabbi... [Read more]

King Hunneric

. (From Maryr’s Mirror and The Voice of the Martyrs) King Hunneric ruled the western part o the Roman empire from 477 to 484. The leader of a vicious band of East Germanic peoples, King Hunneric took the title of King of the Vandals and became known for his brutal oppression of Christians. He fearfully defended not only his throne but also his Arian theology. During his reign, hosts of Christians... [Read more]

Historical Fallacy

Can you spot the historical fallacies in what is implied by the following “history lesson”? Look what happens when a President gets elected in a year with a “0″ at the end. 1840: William Henry Harrison (died in office) 1860: Abraham Lincoln (assassinated) 1880: James A. Garfield (assassinated) 1900: William McKinley (assassinated) 1920: Warren G. Harding (died in office) ... [Read more]

The Twelve Labors of Hercules

1. Slay the Nemean Lion. 2. Slay the 9-headed Lernaean Hydra. 3. Capture the Golden Hind of Artemis. 4. Capture the Erymanthian Boar. 5. Clean the Augean stables in a single day. 6. Slay the Stymphalian Birds. 7. Capture the Cretan Bull. 8. Steal the Mares of Diomedes. 9. Obtain the Girdle of the Amazon Queen. 10. Obtain the Cattle of the Monster Geryon. 11. Steal the Apples of the Hesperides. 12.... [Read more]

Hymnody

Looking for information on Hymnody? Try one of the following stories from Christian History magazine; The Golden Age of Hymns: Did You Know? Dr. James Townsend is Bible editor at David C. Cook Publishing Co. and author of eight volumes in The Bible Mastery Series The Hymn Born in a Synagogue How a Hebrew text and synagogue melody became a well-known Christian hymn. Dr. James D. Smith III is Senior... [Read more]

The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Charles H. Hoole’s 1885 translation The church of God which sojourneth in Smyrna, to the church of God that sojourneth in Philomelia, and to all the settlements of the holy and Catholic Church in every place, mercy, peace, and love from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied unto you. CHAPTER 1 1:1 We have written unto you, brethren, the things respecting those who were martyred,... [Read more]

Christian Persecution & Martyrdom

__________ The following are helpful resources from Christian History magazine on Christian persecution and martyrdom: Persecution in the Early Church: Recommended Resources Recommendations provided by Kenneth R. Calvert, Th,M. candidate in patristics at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The “Edict of Milan” Selections from an agreement, made in 313, that changed the course... [Read more]