by Peter James | Apr 6, 2023 | Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Favorite
Hitler’s takeover of the German Evangelical Church was resisted by a small number of dissenting pastors like Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945). Dietrich challenged his pastoral colleagues to stand for Christ and not succumb to Hitler’s fear tactics. The...
by Peter James | Mar 26, 2023 | Favorite, St. Augustine
Augustine (354-430) was restless. He identified his restlessness at the outset of his autobiography, the Confessions, “Thou hast made us for thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in thee.” As Augustine looked back over his life in 397 at...
by Peter James | Mar 21, 2023 | Favorite, Hildegard of Bingen
I first learned about Hildegard of Bingen (ca. 1098-1179) in a Washington Post article about beer. This twelfth-century abbes (leader) of a convent in Germany was the first person to document the use of hops in making beer. I have come to find out she was no ordinary...
by Peter James | Mar 4, 2023 | Favorite, Thomas Aquinas
His parents had a cushy job picked out for him. Thomas would become abbot (leader) of a wealthy monastery that had grown lax in monastic rigor. Thomas Aquinas (ca. 1225-1274) did not share his parent’s enthusiasm for this prearranged scheme. He aspired to set...
by Peter James | Feb 11, 2023 | Favorite, Irenaeus of Lyons
Dating back to the second century, today’s prayer originated with Irenaeus of Lyons (in modern-day France) (130-202). Irenaeus was introduced to Christ through Polycarp, who was said to have been taught by the apostle John. We owe Irenaeus a debt of gratitude...
