Engaging the Past, Engaging History
I was going to write about the GOP Convention today, but I found the following topic more interesting: Over at Books and Culture, Nicholas Wolterstorff reviews Mark Noll’s Jesus Christ and the Life of...
View ArticleSin and the Historian
This semester I am teaching a sophomore seminar entitled “Historical Methods.” Since I teach at a Christian college, we spend a lot of time in this course thinking about the relationship between...
View ArticleThe Historian and Imago Dei
Two weeks ago I wrote in this space about the relationship between the historians work and the reality of human sin. This week, I want to focus on the historian’s work as it relates to the...
View ArticleA Whale of a Tale: A Pastor’s Guide to Historical Research, Part II
In 1891, the British whaling ship Star of the East was slammed by the tale of a harpooned sperm whale somewhere near the Falkland Islands. Two of the sailors, including a man named James Bartley, fell...
View ArticleWhat Makes for the Best Historical Movies? (part 2)
Two more questions to ask of historical films: Are its makers actually interested in the past on its own terms? Are they provoking historical thinking?
View ArticleSoviets and Sassenachs: My Two Favorite Historical TV Series
In the first two posts in this series, I’ve suggested that historical movies — and TV shows, for that matter — might best be judged by asking four questions: Are they entertaining? (understanding that...
View Article6 Things I’ve Learned about Teaching History to 6-Year Olds
A rare Anxious Bench parenting post: six things that Prof. Gehrz has learned about teaching history to his six-year old twins
View ArticleAdventures in Parenting as a Historian: The American Girl Books
On seeing history through the eyes of a seven year old, as she reads American Girl books for the first time.
View Article“…Not Hitler, But Still Kinda Like Hitler”
Should historians consider analogies between Donald Trump and fascist leaders like Adolf Hitler? While the differences are significant, the similarities are growing difficult to ignore.
View Article5 Reasons Why Christians Should Study History
Five reasons why Christians should learn to think historically about their past.
View ArticleThe Two Best Historical Dramas on TV
Why The Americans and Outlander may be the best historical dramas on the small or silver screen.
View ArticleJohn Piper’s “Wishful Thinking” about Jonathan Edwards and Slavery
Jonathan Edwards owned slaves and defended slavery. Why does John Piper think it's alright to engage in "wishful thinking" about that topic?
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