history
Historical analysis of religious developments, events, and theological movements relevant to apologetics.
Gamaliel Cites Jesus? Paid Members Public
There is an interesting anecdote found in the Babylonian Talmud where the renowned rabbi Gamaliel, who was the son of another prominent rabbi named Hillel, quoted the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here’s the Talmudic extract: לְמָחָר הֲדַר עַיֵּיל לֵיהּ
Pope Gregory VII, Muslims & God Paid Members Public
The following Latin text is taken from the epistles of Pope Gregory VII, specifically in his letter to the Muslim king Anzir, written in 1076 AD. The epistle can be found on pp. 450-452 by clicking on this link: (https://archive.org/details/patrologiaecurs02unkngoog/page/n228/mode/2up. In his
Talmud, Maimonides, Minors, Puberty & Sex Paid Members Public
I will be quoting from rabbinic sources in respect to the laws concerning sexual intercourse between various age groups, including minors as young as 3 years old, as well as the punishments incurred for illicit sexual acts. The readers will see firsthand that the rabbinic laws discriminate between Jews and
Patriarch Timothy I on Muhammad Paid Members Public
The following excerpt is taken from The apology of Timothy the Patriarch before the Caliph Mahdi, translated by Alphonse Mingana, published by Manchester University Press, England, 1928, pp. 196-198. Timothy I (AD 780-823) was the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East who made an apology for the Christian
St. Jerome on Illustrious Men Paid Members Public
I quote a part of St. Jerome’s De Viris Illustribus (Illustrious Men), in which he writes in respect to some of the most influential Christians that ever lived, starting with specific Apostles of our Lord. The details he gives about their lives, works and even deaths are truly remarkable
Who Killed Goliath? Paid Members Public
The following is taken from the late Dr. Gleason L. Archer’s Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, published by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI 1982, pp. 177-178. Who killed Goliath–David or Elhanan? 1 Samuel 17:50 states that David cut off Goliath’s head with the giant’s own
The Reformation and Purgatory Paid Members Public
Quotations provided by William Albrecht. All emphasis is mine. DESIDERIUS ERASMUS It’s not surprising that Erasmus affirmed Purgatory since he was Catholic after all: “Even three hundred years after the birth of Christ, it was permitted to debate whether there was any fire in purgatory; some interpreted fire to
Muhammad Gets Mounted by Men! Paid Members Public
According to a sahih (sound, authentic) narration, a group of tall, scrawny men mounted and rode Muhammad all night long, which caused him tremendous pain and exhaustion: إن عبدالله قال إستبعثني رسول الله ﷺ قال فانطلقنا حتى أتيت مكان كذا وكذا فخطَّ لي خطة فقال لي كن بين ظهرَي