DIVERSITY, TRAGEDY, AND TRIUMPH IN CHURCH HISTORY"

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, January 07, 2024

This week commemorates several important events in the church's vast history, which marked diversity, tragedy, and triumph.

Here are some notable events: Isaac Backus, The Struggle for Religious Freedom :

New England Puritan Baptist minister Isaac Backus was born in Norwich, Connecticut.

The Reverend Isaac Backus founded a Baptist church in Middleborough, Massachusetts, in 1756 and became an important figure in the Great Awakening. In addition, Backus opposed paying taxes to the Puritan Church in Massachusetts, which supported him and fought for religious freedom and the separation of state and church. This struggle became an important part of the ratification of the United States Bill of Rights in 1791.

John Henry Hopkins Controversy and leadership :

John Henry Hopkins is from Dublin, Ireland.  

John Henry Hopkins became the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. Although he personally opposed slavery, he stated that slavery was legitimate "as long as it was governed according to the teachings set forth by the Apostles."After the American Civil War, Hopkins played an important role in reuniting the northern and southern Episcopal dioceses.

Alex Malarkey The Story of Paradise Retracted :

Alex Malarkey recounts his near-death experience that he says took him to heaven. In 2015, he admitted in an open letter that the story was a lie and called for everyone to read the Bible as the only source of truth. LifeWay Christian Stores and Tyndale House stopped sales of his book, "The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven," as a result of this admission.

Community support for the Malarkey family:

In 2022, Alex's mother Beth and her paralyzed son are evicted from their home. He asked for prayers and support. To help this family get a home that better suits their needs, a GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $131,551. 

This week, the Christian community and its history reminisce and reflect on these significant occasions, demonstrating how diversity, adversity, and courage shaped the history of the church.

News Sources : https://www.christianpost.com/news/this-week-in-christian-history-near-death-experience-recanted.html?page=1