Christianity and Religion
John Ericsson: The Swede that Saved the Union
TweetShareShareWhen it comes to America’s naval history, few had more influence on battleship design than a man named John Ericsson. In fact, it’s a Swedish story better than ABBA. Ericsson was a Swedish American who revolutionized steamship propulsion through his invention of the screw propeller. He also invented the first submarine boat, self-propelled torpedo and…
Read MoreHarlan Sanders: The Kentucky Colonel Who Made Chicken Finger-Lickin’ Good
TweetShareShare The story of the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken is one worth knowing. Harlan Sanders (1890-1980) was a true late bloomer. He was also a man who relentlessly refused to give up on his dreams. And later, even his own soul. Sanders didn’t open his first restaurant until he was 40 years old, and…
Read MoreFour Chaplains Day: A Day When Faith Led Through Sacrifice and Service
TweetShareShare February 3 is honored as “FOUR CHAPLAINS DAY.” Never heard of it? It’s a fascinating story that needs to be told and shared. In the early morning hours of February 3, 1943 the U.S.A.T. Dorchester–packed with 902 servicemen–was hit by a Nazi torpedo. The surprise attack killed several soldiers and trapped dozens of others.…
Read More“God Helps Those Who Helps Themselves”: The Eclectic Faith of Benjamin Franklin
TweetShareShareBenjamin Franklin was a scientist, patriot, politician, diplomat…and Deist. That’s a fact according to many modern historians. After all, Franklin himself advocated for Deism. He once wrote that his skepticism of Christianity made him “a thorough Deist.”[i] Of course it should be noted he wrote that conviction at the tender age of fifteen in a…
Read MoreHark! The Herald Wesley Wrote: How a Christmas Hymn Transformed America
TweetShareShare In 1739 a young colonial Georgia preacher wrote a “Hymn for Christmas Day.” His opening line was “Hark! how all the welkin rings.” Welkin is an old Dutch word for “heaven.” The lyricist’s name? Charles Wesley. In the late 1720s, he and his older brother John had founded a new form of Protestant Christianity…
Read MoreThe Santa Chronicles: The Rise of Sinter Klass (Part 2)
TweetShareShare How did St. Nicholas become Santa Claus? It’s an important part of the real history of Santa Claus. In part 1, we looked at the humble beginnings of a devout Greek bishop known as Nicholas. His generous deeds were legendary. Now let’s dive into the European chapter that sets up the myths and legend…
Read MoreThe Santa Chronicles: How A Man Named Nicholas became Santa Claus (Part 1)
TweetShareShareHis name was Nikolaos or Nicholas…St. Nicholas in the Greek Orthodox tradition. You and I know him better as “St. Nick.” Around the world he has other names: Sinterklass (Dutch), Kris Kringle (English), Papa Noel (French/Spanish), Weihnachtsmann (German), Grandfather Frost (Russia)…and SANTA CLAUS. Most of what we know about this “jolly old elf” and his…
Read MoreJohn Locke: How a Great Philosopher Influenced the Founding of America
TweetShareShare The Founding Fathers of the United States of America had many influences, but possibly none more than John Locke (1632-1704). Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and John Madison revered Locke. John Quincy Adams penned, “The Declaration of Independence [was]…founded upon one and the same theory of government…expounded in the writings of Locke.” But who was…
Read MoreThe Black Robe Regiment: How a Group of Patriots Founded America
TweetShareShareThey were called the “Black Robe Regiment.” A group of patriots who served in Congress, presided over influential American schools, led troops in the Revolutionary War, signed the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and other important founding documents. Their names? JOHN WITHERSPOON (President of Princeton) JOHN P. MUHLENBERG (Revolutionary War General) FREDERICK A. MUHLENBERG…
Read MoreRev. Timothy Dwight: How the President of Yale Indicted the French Revolution
TweetShareShareOn July 4, 1798, TIMOTHY DWIGHT, the President of Yale College gave an address titled “The Duty of Americans at the Present Crisis.” It was a stinging indictment upon the French Revolution and their enlightened, secular culture. Dwight particularly noted how the infidel Voltaire had orchestrated the plan to convert Christian France into a secular…
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