This Week in Church History – August 15
August 15 has been an active day in the church’s history books throughout the centuries. Let’s look at some events on August 15th through the lens of several years.
Making History is a thought-provoking novel written in 1996 by author Stephen Fry. Years before its time, the book sounds like a chapter out of the Marvel Multiverse. Fry examines issues like alternate history, time travel, consequences of behavior, and morality. The book is filled with gems like this concerning the lessons of history: “We study the past to understand the present; we understand the present to guide the future.”
August 15, 1096
The First Crusade sets out from Europe to “rescue” Jerusalem from the Muslim Turks. Within Christian circles, the term “crusade” survives as an indicator of devout dedication to one’s faith. But a series of wars against another faith often led by power-hungry popes stirs deep questions. How could the followers of the Prince of Peace wage a war of any kind?
Almost a thousand years later, Muslims and Jews continue to fight over property, heritage, and culture. Has history taught us any important lessons? Have we been dedicated students?
August 15, 1195
Anthony of Padua is born in Lisbon, Portugal. Anthony would go on to become the most popular and effective preacher of his day. He would often speak before crowds of 30,000 people. Pope Gregory would comment about Anthony, “He is truly the Ark of the Covenant and the treasury of Holy Scripture. If all of the Bibles of the world were lost, Anthony could surely rewrite them.” How much of the Scripture have you committed to memory?
August 15, 1534
St. Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish priest and theologian, became an expert in the art of spiritual discipline and direction. On this date, he starts what he calls “the company of Jesus.” He would describe the group as similar to a bunch of fur traders at a convention, only these people are focused on practicing the will of God. In 1540, they gained the official approval of the pope, who named them “The Society of Jesus.”
The vision and disciplines of the “Jesuits” as they came to be called became well-known throughout Europe. Members of the Jesuit order were responsible for taking the message of the gospel to the major cities of the new world: Goa, Mexico City, Quebec, Buenos Aires, and Bogota. They were responsible for opening hospices for the dying, providing financial aid for the poor, starting orphanages, and opening schools.
Today there are over 16,000 members of the Jesuit community. They organized and supported 28 colleges and universities across America, as well as dozens of high schools and elementary schools. The Jesuits make up the largest male order within the Catholic Church. Their imprint can easily be seen in American education.
Pope Francis, the current head of the Roman Catholic Church, is the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus.
August 15, 1549
Spanish Jesuits become the first Christian missionaries in Japan. The group of Jesuits was led by Francis Xavier. Xavier went to Japan hoping to eventually reach China. In 1927, he was named the patron saint of all missions.
Xavier did extensive evangelistic work in both India and Japan. Estimates indicate that he personally baptized about 30,000 people. One of his strongest beliefs was that the missionary must adapt to the customs and language of the people he evangelizes.
Areas in India where Xavier did missionary work have remained Catholic to this day. Multiple schools and colleges have been named for St. Francis Xavier. From Australia to Zimbabwe, from Arizona to Wisconsin, schools preserve the legacy of a Christian-based education to Francis Xavier.
August 15, 1846
Addressing rumors that he had mocked Christianity, Abraham Lincoln published a response addressing his stance on religion. “That I am not a member of any Christian Church is true; but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures;’ and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or of any denomination of Christians in particular,” explained Lincoln.
Lincoln grew up in a highly dedicated Baptist family. The family joined the Little Pigeon Baptist Church near Lincoln City, Indiana in 1823. Seven years later, Lincoln moved to New Salem in Illinois, a community that had no churches. From that point on, perhaps because of his continued role in public politics, Lincoln never officially joined any particular church.
Historians and theologians alike have argued the depth of Lincoln’s religious beliefs. During his first inaugural address, Lincoln stated that “intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty.”
For our trivia question, last week we asked for a writer of one of the psalms other than David. Theologians have identified Adam, Melchizedek, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Heman, Jeduthun, Asaph, and the three sons of Korah. If you answered any of the above, pat yourself on the back.
This week’s question: Let’s turn to the New Testament for this week’s trivia question. John the Baptist was known for several quirky habits. One of them, it seems, was he liked to nibble on a particular insect for his snacks. What insect did John the Baptist enjoy eating?
