History

  • The Bible in Our Own Language

    The Bible in Our Own Language

    Glenn Townend recalls the story of one of his ancestors, who was especially responsible for translating the Bible into English.
  • Valentine's Day Quick Facts

    Valentine's Day Quick Facts

    Was this day in February always about roses and teddy bears? Jay Sheen finds out.
  • Celebrating October 31

    Celebrating October 31

    Christians commonly dismiss Halloween as a pagan festival. However, Harold Harker says there is something worth celebrating on that day.
  • Ur of the Chaldeans

    Ur of the Chaldeans

    David Down explores an ancient city that the Bible says was once home to Abraham, father of Israel.
  • The Hittites

    The Hittites

    Until recently, scholars believed that the Hittite kingdom mentioned in the Bible was a fictional nation. David Down explains how we now know they did exist.
  • The Church in the Attic

    The Church in the Attic

    Harold Harker tells the story of a museum in Amsterdam that graphically portrays the tension between Catholics and Protestants in the Reformation era.
  • The Story of the King James Bible

    The Story of the King James Bible

    The King James Version is the most widely read Bible in the history of the English Bible. Bryan Ball tells the story.
  • The Ecumenical Diplomat

    The Ecumenical Diplomat

    Harold Harker takes a look at the life of German Protestant Reformer Martin Bucer.
  • The Treaty of Waitangi

    The Treaty of Waitangi

    Christine Miles speaks with historian Paul Moon about the sometimes contentious agreement made between the British and the Maori some 170 years ago.
  • The Pilgrims

    The Pilgrims

    The Pilgrims have over one million direct descendants in the United States. Harold Harker recalls their origins.
  • The Puritans

    The Puritans

    Harold Harker follows the journey of a group of people so desperate for religious freedom that they risked their possessions and lives to obtain it
  • Oberammergau: A Town of Passions

    Oberammergau: A Town of Passions

    John Lauder travelled to a small German village to witness what could possibly be the world's longest running play.
  • More Trick than Treat

    More Trick than Treat

    Although today it's celebrated quite differently to its origins, Halloween has a history that might surprise you, as Stephanie Speirs explains.
  • Desire of Ages

    Desire of Ages

    Not everyone can write a book about Christ's life, says Arthur Patrick, but he tells the story of one woman who did.
  • Charles Fitch: herald of Christ's return

    Charles Fitch: herald of Christ's return

    William Miller proclaimed the nearness of Christ's return. Charles Fitch became one of his most ardent followers. Arthur Patrick tells the story.
  • Why Darwin's triumph?

    Why Darwin's triumph?

    Biologist Timothy G Standish looks at the history of Darwinism for an explanation of why it has been so successful.
  • Radical Baptists: Thank God for What they Teach Us!

    Radical Baptists: Thank God for What they Teach Us!

    Historian Arthur Patrick unpicks one of the rich strands of Christian history.
  • Where the World Found a New Word

    Where the World Found a New Word

    Every word has an origin. Harold Harker takes us to the place "protestant" became a way to describe a large part of Christianity.
  • London Town

    London Town

    Harold Harker explores some of the sites of Christian history in London, planned Olympic host for 2012.
  • How Attitudes Have Changed!

    How Attitudes Have Changed!

    Pope Benedict's visit to Australia suggests a clear shift in thinking. Historian Arthur Patrick explains.
  • William Miller: preacher of the Advent

    William Miller: preacher of the Advent

    He struggled with God over proclaiming the truths he'd learned in the Bible but when he surrendered, he stirred a nation. George Knight tells the story.
  • The Carol that Stopped a War

    The Carol that Stopped a War

    There is power in sharing-be it a gift, a meal or a song. Victor Parachin tells the story of the oft sung Christmas carol, "Silent Night."
  • Iona: The Holy Island

    Iona: The Holy Island

    Harold Harker visits a remote Scottish island to explore its rich Christian history and influence.
  • St Andrews: Home of the Brave

    St Andrews: Home of the Brave

    Nothing makes a place more interesting than knowing it's history. Harold Harker tells some of the stories that make St Andrews a town of interest.
  • Cyrus the Great

    Cyrus the Great

    Used by God, unknowingly. Praised by God's people, unashamedly. David Edgren explores one of history's most intriguing conquerors.
  • Bridging Chasms

    Bridging Chasms

    Bridges are meant to bring people together. Harold Harker explains how this bridge, the Bothwell bridge, was involved in both the formation and dismantling of peace.
  • History Is What We Make It

    History Is What We Make It

    Robert Wolfgramm reflects on the bicentennary of the abolition of slavery, which was marked by memorial services earlier this year.
  • Cappadocia: Turkey's Hidden City

    Cappadocia: Turkey's Hidden City

    One of the planet's most unique landscapes is also the home of much early church history, as Harold Harker explains.
  • On Time

    On Time

    Sometimes it can be hard to be "on time" for the dentist, but Harold Harker explores history that happened "on time" over more than 1000 years.
  • Learning from the Bounty

    Learning from the Bounty

    We all like sheep have gone astray. Robert Wolfgramm retells the story of the Bounty mutiny and draws some challenging parallels.
  • The Town That Changed the World

    The Town That Changed the World

    The Reformation of the 16th century changed the way people live and worship today. Harold Harker takes us to where it all began.
  • Imagine ... A World Without Christianity

    Imagine ... A World Without Christianity

    Would we really be better off if Beatle John Lennon's imaginary world of no heaven or religion came true? Bruce Manners doesn't think so.
  • Patmos: A Holy Island

    Patmos: A Holy Island

    What if you could escape to a deserted island and find God? Harold Harker leads us to just such a place.
  • Fools of History

    Fools of History

    Mark Twain said, "The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year." Christine Miles gives a history of this infamous day of fools.
  • 120 years of Signs of the Times!

    120 years of Signs of the Times!

    Signs of the Times celebrates 120 years of continuous publication this month. Since 1886, things have changed (at least on paper), as Alan Holman, a former Signs artist and production manager, reveals.
  • Prague: Jewel of Europe

    Prague: Jewel of Europe

    Harold Harker looks at the bloody history hidden behind the now benign facades of what most agree is Europe's most beautiful city.
  • Words in Context

    Words in Context

    Middle East archaeologist David Down reads between the lines of an an ancient Aramaic manuscript. He discovers a message that's still relevant.
  • Two of a Kind

    Two of a Kind

    Equals in courage and zeal, these two leaders of the Reformation still had their differences. Robert Wearner looks at the lives, times and legacy of Zwingli and Luther.
  • Hope Just Ahead

    Hope Just Ahead

    Over some 20,000 km in all, Tony Moore has retraced the missionary journeys of Paul. From beginning to end, he found hope.
  • Faithfulness in a Minor Key

    Faithfulness in a Minor Key

    Among the most obscure of the Bible's writers are the "minor prophets." Who were they? Bible scholar Steven Thompson explores this collection of Old Testament writers.