The Seven Sacraments
Posted: January 16, 2023
Note: The following was constructed from an 8-part series in our 2022 newsletter. Catholicism’s Seven Sacraments The Council of Trent (1545-1563) affirmed: “If anyone says that the sacraments… are not… Read More
History, Hermeneutics & Church Polity – Courtney A. Bailey
Posted: December 1, 2022
Here is my self-published thesis, available on Amazon at the following link: History, Hermeneutics & Church Polity in the International Churches of Christ in Jamaica amazon.com And at Barnes and… Read More
AIM UK & Ireland – next module this Saturday 3rd December
Posted: November 30, 2022
Hi everyone, Just in case you hadn’t heard, the next AIM UK & Ireland module is round the corner – this Saturday in fact. The sessions will be both in-person… Read More
Q&A 1616—Santiago de Compostela
Posted: January 7, 2022
Do you think the remains of James the Just are in the church of St. James of Compostela (Santiago de Compostela) in Spain? Reply from Joseph Harris (Augusta, GA): No,… Read More
The Sinner’s Prayer (with updated reflections), by Stephen Staten
Posted: December 27, 2021
Introduction C.S. Lewis used the term ‘a great cataract of nonsense’ to describe how people use a modern idea to construe Bible theology. One such example, perhaps the best example,… Read More
The Nature of Christian Unity: Historical Understandings of Churches of Christ
Posted: September 27, 2021
The Nature of Christian Unity: Historical Understandings of Churches of Christ Written by Douglas A. Foster, The below are excerpts from a paper presented at the Stone-Campbell Dialogue in June… Read More
The ancient Christian creed (4th century)
Posted: September 9, 2021
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only… Read More
What Can We Learn from the Jerusalem Council?
Posted: August 12, 2021
What Can We Learn from the Jerusalem Council? Reprinted from https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/what-can-we-learn-from-the-jerusalem-council/ Paul Carter, July 27, 2020 The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 provides a fascinating window into the way… Read More
Who are the Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Posted: March 24, 2021
I. FOUNDING In the wake of the Second Great Awakening, many sects emerged in 19th century America. A combination of religious liberty and a strong spirit of individualism fostered numerous… Read More
“COC & ICOC: The Rift and the Repair – Revisited”
Posted: March 18, 2021
Join us for a conversation. Common Grounds Unity presents this conversation with Dr. Nick Zola & Dr. Douglas Jacoby on Saturday, March 20. Details on the flyer. Zoom meeting link… Read More
This Day in History: St. Patrick Dies
Posted: March 17, 2021
On March 17, 461 A.D., Saint Patrick, Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland, dies at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. Today he is honored with the annual holiday of St. Patrick’s Day. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/saint-patrick-dies
Patrons, Prophets, and Preachers, by Rob Kranz
Posted: August 31, 2020
Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on Stepping into the Jordan Patrons, Prophets, and Preachers by Rob Kranz One of the advantages of teaching is that I always… Read More
Interview with Douglas Foster: Alexander Campbell Biography
Posted: August 17, 2020
Our DNA: An Interview With Douglas A. Foster I grew in Michigan, in a county with roughly 500 lakes. I spent a good portion of my childhood, barefoot with friends,… Read More
Church History Insights – Christian Ray interviews Daryl Reed
Posted: July 27, 2020
Daryl Reed is the Lead Minister of DC Regional Christian Church in the Washington DC area. We had an enlightening conversation about Church History and Race. Daryl is a third… Read More
The divided legacy of Alexander Campbell
Posted: July 8, 2020
Critical biography examines the ‘gifted but flawed’ leader of the American Restoration Movement. By John Mark Hicks When Alexander Campbell died in 1866, he left his legacy in a divided… Read More
A Dream Worth Resurrecting, by Ben Brewster
Posted: May 30, 2020
A Dream Worth Resurrecting: by Ben Brewster Ben Brewster wrote the below for Common Grounds in 2018. His book “Torn Asunder” is a must-read! The below is a re-post…. Read More
Restoration or Reformation?, John Teal
Posted: May 2, 2020
Yesterday, I received an email from a friend who shared a copy of “The Stone-Campbell Reformation: Its Roots and Ideals” from July 1994 with an article by Leroy Garrett…. Read More
How Churches of Christ responded when the 1918 ‘Spanish flu’ killed millions
Posted: March 22, 2020
Many congregations canceled services, and some Christians focused on feeding and nursing the poor. By John Mark Hicks NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville saw its first case of the “Spanish flu” in… Read More
Are You an American Church? (London, 1986)
Posted: February 10, 2020
The article I wrote back in 1986 about the origins of the Churches of Christ in the U.K. May be of some interest to some readers.
COC & ICOC: The Rift & The Repair-Audio & Notes
Posted: May 9, 2019
Two classes given by Douglas Jacoby & Nick Zola at “The Harbor” Pepperdine Bible Lectures, on May 3, 2019. The two audio lessons are followed by the Powerpoint presentation with… Read More
Q&A 1542 – John boiled in oil?
Posted: December 7, 2018
At my church this morning it was preached that the apostle John survived being boiled in oil before he was exiled on Patmos. Is this true? It is certainly true… Read More
Download Bercot classes (1 Dec 2018)
Posted: December 1, 2018
EARLY CHURCH HISTORY WITH DAVID BERCOT Saturday, December 1, 2018 Download the PowerPoint from https://www.athensinstitute.org This will be available to all paying students until midnight 2 Dec ET only.
PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER, by Bob Koivisto
Posted: September 24, 2018
Jesus spoke out often about the very things which lead to a misguided understanding of God’s revealed truth in the Scriptures. Those influences are ignorance, apathy, religion, tradition and open… Read More
Tomb of Christ
Posted: November 29, 2017
The archaeological exhibit on the tomb of Christ is on display at the National Geographic Museum through August, 2018. Click here. Articles: click here.
Review of Terry Whalin’s Billy Graham: A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist
Posted: November 4, 2017
When I was a teenager, I remember how my heart was moved by Billy Graham’s Peace with God. The simple way in which Graham is able to express profound truths has enabled him to connect with… Read More
An online trove of Biblical manuscripts
Posted: September 26, 2017
An extraordinary collection of 68 New Testament and other Biblical manuscripts dating from the fourth to the twentieth centuries has been digitized and made available for study online. Continue reading… Read More
Q&A 1505 – What was the Inquisition? (Torture, witches, Galileo… and lessons for today)
Posted: September 10, 2017
What exactly was the Inquisition? (If you prefer to listen to my reply, click on the arrow for the podcast, The Inquisition (20 min). If you want to save and… Read More
Why I Am Not a Protestant, by Douglas Jacoby
Posted: June 7, 2017
To hear the podcast (54 mins) titled Why I Am Not a Protestant, click on the arrow. To download and listen to it later, right click here and then on ‘save… Read More
Bercot lessons at YouTube
Posted: November 3, 2016
Listen to David Bercot’s lessons (Scroll Publishing) through its YouTube channel. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL6qGDn7Nnd84-UgURpw8Dw Description Welcome to the Scroll Publishing YouTube channel. We are a small publisher of Christian books… Read More
Linguistic Insight: Christmas & Santa Claus
Posted: July 31, 2013
The Origin of the word Christmas The modern word Christmas comes from the Old English Cristes mæsse, or Christ’s mass. In Medieval Catholicism, this was the Mass. The word mass… Read More
Paul’s grave claimed found by the Vatican
Posted: December 19, 2006
The tomb of Paul was discovered just outside the old city walls of Rome, in the area of the Church of St Paul Outside the Walls. Excavation of the grave… Read More
Church History: Baptismal theology in the past 2 centuries
Posted: July 28, 2006
Link to Restoration Quarterly Article: LINK
Church History: 381 AD. Rome’s Official Religion
Posted: February 28, 2006
381 AD. This is the date that Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Earlier in the same (fourth) century, it had become legal, but from this date… Read More
Church History Century by Century
Posted: December 4, 2005
This is the “handout” to accompany the church history powerpoint presentation made in Lagos, Nigeria (2005). In addition, the 7 lessons of church history are: 1. No clergy/laity distinction! 2…. Read More
Archaeologists Unveil Ancient Church Site
Posted: November 10, 2005
Check out this story if you haven’t seen it already. Link
Christmas Origins: “The Man Who Came in from the Cold”
Posted: December 22, 2003
I wrote the following piece in the mid-1980s. Following is another, more humorous, piece. Hope you enjoy them! — DJ The Man Who Came in from the Cold I remember… Read More
Gnosticism, by Andrew Kitchen
Posted: July 17, 2003
The word “gnosticism” comes from gnosis, Greek for “knowledge.” Esoteric or secret knowledge is meant. The Gnostics believed that only an elite few enjoyed special enlightenment. The Gnostic view of… Read More
