Fascinating. Again. I can't help reading this with a Reformed-and-reforming context in mind.
E.g., Christopher Wren is credited with designing >50 church *buildings* before the fire and especially in its wake. But concurrently, as you allude, much was going on of a less visible nature as the sovereign God-of-creation continued to build and refine His one universal church--all Christ-trusters in all times and places--in holiness and purity.
As a Reformed Baptist, I think especially of the 1st & 2nd London Confessions (1644/46 and 1677/89 respectively) which bracketed this disaster. (See: https://www.reformedreader.org/ctf.htm)
For now, on this side of glory, we can only imagine the catalytic thoughts and human interactions such a huge event spurred in that slow shift away from unbiblical conflations of civil-worldly and ecclesial-spiritual authority. But I don't doubt that it had effects in that regard.
"And we know that God CAUSES ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) That includes great disasters.
I agree about being a watchman. Humanity is where it is because many Christians aren't following Jesus's teachings to be salt and light. Good job Jason!
The way that you connect centuries-old history and find the relevance to our lives today is an incredible gift, Jason! More importantly, you use it as a wakeup call and a motivating factor in how we should be relating Christian love to those in our spheres. Brilliant!
In history books it usually just says the Great Fire of Loudon, like the San Fransisco Fire or the Eruption of Mount St. Helen. Sometimes details are left out. Thanks as usual for the education. Even an ol' dog can learn something new.
Fascinating. Again. I can't help reading this with a Reformed-and-reforming context in mind.
E.g., Christopher Wren is credited with designing >50 church *buildings* before the fire and especially in its wake. But concurrently, as you allude, much was going on of a less visible nature as the sovereign God-of-creation continued to build and refine His one universal church--all Christ-trusters in all times and places--in holiness and purity.
As a Reformed Baptist, I think especially of the 1st & 2nd London Confessions (1644/46 and 1677/89 respectively) which bracketed this disaster. (See: https://www.reformedreader.org/ctf.htm)
For now, on this side of glory, we can only imagine the catalytic thoughts and human interactions such a huge event spurred in that slow shift away from unbiblical conflations of civil-worldly and ecclesial-spiritual authority. But I don't doubt that it had effects in that regard.
"And we know that God CAUSES ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) That includes great disasters.
I agree about being a watchman. Humanity is where it is because many Christians aren't following Jesus's teachings to be salt and light. Good job Jason!
The way that you connect centuries-old history and find the relevance to our lives today is an incredible gift, Jason! More importantly, you use it as a wakeup call and a motivating factor in how we should be relating Christian love to those in our spheres. Brilliant!
Thank you, Trudy!
I had not connected the fact that the Great Plague was so near in time to the Great Fire... thanks for another great history lesson!
Well done once again, Jason. Interesting, informative, and spiritually challenging. Thank you
In history books it usually just says the Great Fire of Loudon, like the San Fransisco Fire or the Eruption of Mount St. Helen. Sometimes details are left out. Thanks as usual for the education. Even an ol' dog can learn something new.
It's interesting how little history the history books actually teach...