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Müller and Darby and friends

I recently finished reading cover to cover issue #128 and chose it as one of my top 10 CH magazines. I have been a long-time subscriber and learned much from this issue. George Müller was a name I had heard in passing but I was unaware of the depths of his service and walk with Christ. . . . John Nelson Darby almost took the spotlight away from Müller. I was surprised how much my faith today and practices stem from the Brethren. Darby, I came to realize, had a profound impact way beyond the Rapture philosophy. I suggest a magazine on Darby, Scofield, and Ryrie. . . . Please remember to keep in your prayers the incarcerated “brethren.”—Stephen Jonas, Fort Dodge, IA

Thank you! We continue to hear from people who were impacted greatly by issue #128.

My husband and I have enjoyed your magazine for years. I wondered if Pietism might be a subject to pursue in the future. I recently inherited a book about a group of German Pietists led by Michael Hahn (1758–1819). Would one of your scholars have some suggestions about how to find out any information on this group?

—Sally Shell, Sevierville, TN

We did touch on Pietism in #128 and more extensively in issue #10. It’s probably about time to revisit the topic. The Pietist group you referred to goes under the name Michael Hahn’sche Gemeinschaft (Michael Hahn’s Community), Hahn’sche Brüder (Hahn’s Brethren), or Michelians and is active mainly in Germany. Most scholarly sources on them are in German, but you can read a little at the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 

A way out of modern amnesia

Thank you so much for the good work of Christian History. I just got and read issue #129. It is really terrific! The work you are doing is so important. Glad to be associated with the big project. — Curtis Freeman,

Durham, NC (author, CH #126)

I am reading #129 and loving it. I read Webber in the 1980s including Common Roots and the “Chicago Call” and I have the first issue of the Renovaré newsletter. I love the work of Oden; I have a hard copy of the whole ACCS and often use it when preparing lessons at my church. . . . [But] the church we are at is unable to grasp any of it. It is a lecture-driven, performance-based church. . . .

As the Gospel Coalition calls it, “The New Evangelical Liturgy” is practiced: sing some simple songs and listen to a sermon. I have tried for 10-plus years to patiently share some of these things but with no progress. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and for publishing such a wonderful magazine. — C. H. (name withheld)

More topics and more balance

I love your magazine. I just finished reading #12 on John Calvin. Excellent! I was a bit surprised when reading Women in the Early Church (#17) to find it . . . asserts women’s leadership in the church without explaining the biblical reasons why some object to [it]. . . . But that observation is not a general criticism of most issues, which I feel are fair and well balanced. . . . Why not include issues on the history of Christian thought in the church, including doctrines such as the millennium, predestination, baptism, church government, the Trinity, etc.

—Richard Gehman, Minneola, FL

We always strive to be fair and give all sides of an issue as we put together magazines today. Although many who put together those early issues are no longer with us, we are confident that they tried to present the facts as they knew them. (Issue #12 was published in 1986 and issue #17 in 1988.) As to history of thought, we agree we could do more, but do check out our issues considering Christian thought on money (#14 and 18), the end times (#61), Mary (#83), vocation (#110), heaven (#112), and creation (#119), and our short guide, “The History of Hell.”

A timeline to end all timelines

I write with a suggestion. One of the best parts of CH is the centerfold historical atlas/timeline. Why not assemble all of these from past issues into a book?

—Jim Severance, Loganville, WI

This is an idea we will discuss! In the meantime, you can access our four-issue Reformation timeline online or order it from CHI using the order form in the center of the magazine.

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