When it comes to "doing" history, sometimes explaining different interpretive frameworks can be difficult. Take a narrative that commits the fallacy of "Whiggishness,' for example. This is an historical faux pas non-historians -- especially politicians -- often commit where events of the past are strung together in a way that artificially demonstrates social and political … Continue reading Trump offers a lesson in “Whig History”
History
Material culture and the children of war
If you've been following Chris Gehrz over at his blog, you'll know he's been doing a bit of traveling of late and his latest post offers some interesting reflection. He's put together a fascinating montage of material culture related to how British children experienced the Second World War. In speaking to what we learn about … Continue reading Material culture and the children of war
How a mad prophet helped start the Moravian Church
Sometimes there's a fine line between madness and religious genius and whether its one or the other can be a matter of interpretation. A recent lecture about the beginnings of the Moravian Church held at the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, reveals that the early inhabitants of Herrnhut found themselves wrestling with this question as they witnessed … Continue reading How a mad prophet helped start the Moravian Church
Jimmy Carter’s unique mix of Sunday School, politics, and historical memory
Jimmy Carter, whose life-long faith and charity work is well-known, has taught Sunday School for most of his life. Perhaps you didn't know it, but you can actually attend his class at Maranatha Baptist Church, though they recommend you get there no later that 5:30 am if you want a good seat! (Back in May, … Continue reading Jimmy Carter’s unique mix of Sunday School, politics, and historical memory
Is NASA applying Manifest Destiny to Outer Space?
Earlier this week NPR's Mary Louise Kelly interviewed NASA administrator (and former Republican Representative from Oklahoma), Jim Bridenstine, on All Things Considered. When asked, "Why do humans have to go to Mars?" Bridenstine remarked that its not just human nature to explore, but "its who we are as a country." That's why "we" ventured to … Continue reading Is NASA applying Manifest Destiny to Outer Space?
We need more “Reconstruction buffs”
Civil War buffs - you know some of them. They've visited the battlefield, can tell you the details of uniforms and weapons technology, and love to debate the merits of wartime generals. They know battlefield geography and the the conditions of ordinary soldiers. But I doubt you know any "Reconstruction buffs." Reconstruction refers to the … Continue reading We need more “Reconstruction buffs”
New Research on Transatlantic Evangelicalism in the Age of Billy Graham
Yesterday, the Anxious Bench offered up a fascinating post by Hilde Løvdal Stephens, who teaches English at the University of Southeastern Norway. She is doing some groundbreaking research on transatlantic evangelicalism in the decades after World War II -- the era of Billy Graham crusades and Cold War fears. More specifically, she writes about the … Continue reading New Research on Transatlantic Evangelicalism in the Age of Billy Graham
Did Black Soldiers Fight for the Confederacy?
My biennial class on the American civil war is coming up this fall. In addition to the war itself, I am looking forward to covering the historical narratives that continue to capture our imagination as Americans. Of course this will include Lost Cause historiography, which leads to the question above. Historian Kevin M. Levin has … Continue reading Did Black Soldiers Fight for the Confederacy?
For Barton, Metaxas, et. al., July is a month for predictable talking points
More than a few Evangelical historians are vocal critics of David Barton and Eric Metaxas (for good reason). This week, as we've celebrated the July fourth holiday, John Fea and Thomas Kidd have drawn attention to the same well-worn talking points we've come to expect. Kidd has specifically referenced Barton's old and anachronistic claim (this … Continue reading For Barton, Metaxas, et. al., July is a month for predictable talking points
Letters to Young Scholars: A Book for my Adolescent Self
When my teenage son agreed to read and discuss a book together I landed on a book I had not previously known about: William Ringenberg’s Letters to Young Scholars, the second edition of which came out last year. I knew Ringenberg, the retired but long-time professor of history at Taylor University, from CFH circles and … Continue reading Letters to Young Scholars: A Book for my Adolescent Self
The Hermeneutic Circle 