Commemoration, Celebration, Remembrance? How to mark historical anniversaries

by Karin Maag. Anyone who has studied the Reformation in a history class has undoubtedly heard the story of Martin Luther nailing his ninety-five theses on indulgences to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg in 1517. Historians have subsequently debated whether or not he did nail the theses up, and have argued back …

Continue reading Commemoration, Celebration, Remembrance? How to mark historical anniversaries

black and white image of a church archway

Trust and Critical Thinking

by Will Katerberg. Take nothing for granted, I sometimes tell my students. Don’t assume that what a primary source tells you is accurate and true. The author might be a liar or a dupe, have an agenda, or be misinformed. Put the document in context. Check it against other sources. Be skeptical, even suspicious, before …

Continue reading Trust and Critical Thinking

Closeup of fingers touching from the Creation of Adam painting in the Sistine Chapel.

Homily on History

by Bob Schoone-Jongen. For the past eleven years I have ended my History 152 classes with a homily on history and this Christian’s view of what it all means. I make no claims as to profundity, but I will lay claim to its sincerity. This is what I believe history teaches: We are debtors: to …

Continue reading Homily on History