America’s 243rd birthday is fast approaching, with all of the barbecues, parades and fireworks that that entails. But for those planning on taking in a movie or two on this Independence Day, what to watch? Well, thankfully, Hollywood has produced nearly a century of films to stir the patriotic fervor of every American’s heart. But which ones to watch? As a movie lover, I … [Read more...]
SEVEN EXCELLENT MOVIES TO WATCH ON INDEPENDENCE DAY – MILITARY EDITION
From the earliest days of Hollywood, movies about war have proved to be one of the most prolific and popular cinematic genres; and with America’s military history, there is no shortage of stories to tell. From the American Revolution to the modern day wars in the Middle East, Hollywood has covered everything in perhaps over a thousand films. But there are a few that stand out … [Read more...]
HONORING AMERICA’S GREAT MILITARY MUSICIANS
The military history of America has many great traditions, but few permeate the lives of day to day Americans the way that military music does. Some of America’s greatest composers and lyricists have contributed to the genre, from poets like Francis Scott Key and Julia Ward Howe to full time musicians like John Phillip Sousa. Their music is both inspirational and timeless, and … [Read more...]
CHURCHES OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS
Much has been said about the theological roots of the United States and the extent to which the Founding Fathers were truly religious men. Whatever the truth about their religious convictions, there is no doubt that most of the Founding Fathers were, in fact, churchgoers throughout their lives. George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and even the unorthodox Benjamin … [Read more...]
HOW MANY CHURCHES AND DENOMINATIONS ARE THERE IN AMERICA AND THE WORLD?
As an enthusiast of religious history and architecture I have visited many churches over the years. Many many churches. Churches of all ages and denominations. I estimate that over time I have probably made pilgrimages to hundreds of churches, perhaps more than five hundred. I have honestly lost count. I was recently asked how many churches I have visited, and how many I … [Read more...]
AMERICA’S NATIONAL MILITARY MUSEUMS
In the United States, you can find museums for virtually anything related to the country’s history, especially its military history. As America approaches its 250th birthday, that means a lot of museums. There are museums documenting everything from battles and wars America has fought to the leaders and heroes who have fought in them. But it is only relatively recently that … [Read more...]
BEST OF THE CALIFORNIA MISSION TRAIL
Unlike the East Coast, where Christianity was introduced in a haphazard multi-denominational fashion which followed the Colonial settlements, Christianity was established on the West Coast in a highly organized pattern under the auspices of the Spanish Empire and the Roman Catholic Church. This was specifically true in California, where twenty one Catholic churches were … [Read more...]
CHRISTIAN HYMN SITES OF AMERICA
Christians have embraced religious and spiritual music since ancient times, and there are few traditions as strong as that of hymn writing. This was especially true in the 19th and early 20th century, when prolific writers turned out literally thousands of hymns, especially in the English speaking world. America was no exception. While not all hymns are great or achieve … [Read more...]
WHERE TO SEE A GUTENBERG BIBLE
In the 1440s, Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor, developed the world’s first true printing press. His invention revolutionized the production of printed materials, greatly contributing to the availability of less expensive books and subsequent increase in literacy. One of Gutenberg’s first major printing projects, and arguably his famous, was the production of the first … [Read more...]
WERE THERE EGYPTIANS AMONG THE ISRAELITES OF THE EXODUS?
The Biblical story of Moses is one of the great narratives, if not the definitive story, of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). It is a great personal favorite, and watching “The Ten Commandments” with Charlton Heston during Holy Week is a cherished tradition in many families. Beyond the familiarity of the film is the Biblical text of course, which has been endlessly pored … [Read more...]
