February 22, 2005
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The Past as Prologue:
Grand Rapids RevisitedFor some background, see the
Log24 entries of Feb. 18-20, 2005,
which include the following illustration:
John Constantine,
cartoon character, and
Donald E. Knuth,
Lutheran mathematician“…. recent books testify further to Calvin College’s unparalleled
leadership in the field of Christian historiography. More than anyone
else, the historians at Calvin (along with their Dutch Reformed
publishers at Eerdmans) have led the way in first-rate thinking about
the relationship between faith and history. One does not need to be a
Calvinist, or a historian for that matter, to appreciate this thinking
and its influence on a wide variety of intellectuals.
I say this as a Lutheran who must confess in all honesty that
his own American Lutheran tradition cannot hold a candle to the
Calvinists in Grand Rapids….”– Douglas A. Sweeney,
Comments (2)
Yes, but did he smoke?
“Why that pipe is a lucky pipe,” said the old man, examining it closely. “Smoked by John Calvin himself, if I am not mistaken. You should keep this pipe all your days and hand it down to your children.”
– A Gift from Saint Nicholas