Gustav Holst: Psalm 86

From First Thoughts

One hundred years ago the English composer Gustav Holst (1874-1934), best known for his series of orchestral tone poems, The Planets , composed a moving choral piece based on Genevan Psalm 86: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FIo9Buho1s&w=298&h=245] The metrical text was apparently . . . . Continue Reading »

Bay Psalm Book for Sale

From First Thoughts

Ted Olsen has written a fascinating article inspired by the recent decision of Boston’s Old South Church to sell off one of its two remaining copies of the original edition of the Bay Psalm Book, used liturgically by the New England Puritans in the 17th century: What You Need to Know About . . . . Continue Reading »

Bring Back “Brethren”

From First Thoughts

One of our brethren, Anthony Esolen, has written to extol that old-fashioned word, brethren . His comments have relevance for that increasingly complicated and contentious enterprise, Bible translation. In the older translations of the New Testament, such as the Geneva Bible and the King James . . . . Continue Reading »

The RSV … Again

From First Thoughts

Having grown up with the King James Version of the Bible, I have no sentimental attachment to the Revised Standard Version, although I do read from it in the context of daily prayers. Still I cannot manage to summon up Fr. Neuhaus’s enthusiasm for this translation, which has a number of . . . . Continue Reading »

Rimsha Masih Freed

From First Thoughts

International Christian Voice is reporting that Pakistan has dropped all charges against Rimsha Masih under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Masih is a 14-year-old Christian girl who was accused of having burned pages of the Qur’an in August. She was subsequently released on bail, after which . . . . Continue Reading »

Geneva in Beijing?

From First Thoughts

With the explosive growth of the church in China in recent decades, it could transpire that the world’s most populous country will one day be the global centre of Christianity. If that does happen, it could be Reformed Christianity that carries the day: Chinese Calvinism flourishes . Why? . . . . Continue Reading »

Disallowing Debate, Dictating Dogma

From First Thoughts

The Canadian province of Ontario’s education minister appears to believe her government has the authority to decree an end to a debate that has been going on for at least four decades in North America. She is also claiming a right to tell Roman Catholic schools what they can and cannot promote . . . . Continue Reading »