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L’ Abri is an evangelical Christian organisation founded by Francis Schaeffer and his wife Edith in Huemoz-sur-Ollon, in Switzerland, on 5th June 1955. Francis August Schaeffer (1912-1984) was an American evangelical theologian, philosopher and Presbyterian pastor. He was the first student to graduate and first to be ordained in the \bible Presbyterian Church (1935). Edith Rachel Merritt Schaeffer (nee Seville) was a Christian author. They married in 1935. When they moved to Huemoz there was no assurance that it would be successful. They opened their alpine home to curious travellers and as a forum to discuss philosophical and religious beliefs. Word of mouth in the summer of 1955 soon led to an increasing stream of visitors, averaging 31 visitors a week. Distribution of Francis’ lectures also helped to raise awareness of their work As is grew the L’Abri organisation began to own and operate several buildings in Huemoz 4 types of people visited - short term guests students who divided their time between study and communal work, workers who participated in discussions and the work of of hospitality, members who were part of the decision making process. The L’Abri day revolves around communal meals, often used as an opportunity for formal open discussion, and students are encouraged to pursue interests in art, music and literature. (Read 'Mode of operation) Francis died in 1984 of hymphoma on 15th May 1984, in Rochester, Minnesota but his wife Edit continued to be associated with the L’Abri organisation. Edith died, at home in Gryon, Switzerland, aged 98 nearly 30 years later, on 30th March 2013. Edith 30 years ago founded The Francis Schaeffer Foundation to receive her husband’s papers and annotated books for scanning and subsequent study. This is run by her son-in-law Udo Middleman - he is also an associate pastor in Hoemoz. The ministry has continued to grow. l’Abri has operations in a number of different countries staffed by workers who encourage visitors to study and consider their religious and philosophical beliefs. Since 2011 l’Abri has residential ‘Study Centres’ in the USA , Canada, South Korea, Australia, the UK, the Netherlanders and Sweden as well as the original centre in Switzerland. It also has non -residential ‘Resource centres’ run by friends of the organisation in Brazil and Germany Today the L’Abri houses are to be found in various parts of the world and continue to offer people a place to stay when they travel. I have included information about both Schauffers and the books they wrote Source Wikipedia

Saint Helena was the mother of Roman emperor Constantine the Great, She was born outside of the noble classes, a Greek, possibly in the Greek city of Drepana, Bithynia in Asia Minor. Saint Helena ranks as an important figure in the history of Christianity, and of the world, because of her influence on her son, Constantine. The parents of Constantine1 were Helena and emperor Constantius 1. There is uncertainty to whether they were actually married. Some scholars suggest they were joined in a common-law marriage, a cohabitation in fact but not in law, or whether they were joined in an official marriage, on the grounds that the sources claiming an official marriage are more reliable. Constatius1 divorced Helena before 289. Helena and her son were dispatched to the court of Dicletian at Nicomedia, where he son grew to be a member of the inner circle. When Constantius1 died in 306 Costantine 1 was proclaimed Augustus of the Roman Empire. Following her son’s elevation Helena in 312 was brought back to public life, returning to the imperial court, She was appointed Augusta Imperatrix which gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury in order to locate the relics of the Christian tradition. According to Eusebuis her conversion to Christianity followed her son becoming emperor. In 326-8, when Saint Helena was in her 80s , she under took a trip to Palestine. She had heard an old legend that the True Cross - the cross Jesus was crucified , plus the other two, were buried near where the crucifixion actually happened… With great pomp she went to Palestine. She founded a church at Bethlehem, another upon the Mount of Olives. In Jerusalem, according to Eusebius, she had a temple to Venus or Jupiter destroyed. They them chose a site to excavate and found three crosses. Wanting to know which was Christ’s a sick woman was brought to the site. On touching the third cross she was healed. (Read The True Cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) Sozomen and Theodoret claim that Saint Helena found two of the nails of the crucifixion - one was placed in her son’s helmet the other in his horse’s bridal. In 327/8 she left Jerusalem and took large parts of the True Cross back to Rome which were stored in her palace’s private chapel. Saint Helena died around 330 and was buried in the Mausoleum of Helena , outside Rome, on the Via Labicana. Constatine1 later founded the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The invention of the Cross is celebrated on 3rd May. Source used Wikipedia

Rogation days are days of prayer and fasting in Western Christianity. The word rogation comes from the latin verb ‘rogare’ which means to ask. This reflects the beseeching of God for the appeasement of his anger and for the protection from calamities - for example a poor harvest. The Christian major rogation replaced a pagan Roman procession known as Robigalia where a dog was sacrificed to Robigus, the deity of Agricultural disease, to stop their crops getting wheat rust. So -called major rogation is held on 25th April.The minor rogations are held on Monday to Wednesday before Ascension Thursday. Rogation days date back to Mamertus, Bishop of Vienne in 470. who ordered processions at the time of many volcanic eruptions. Rogation Day ceremonies are thought to have arrived in the British Isles in the 7th century. In the old Sarum texts (1173-1200) processions were initially led by a dragon representing Pontius Pilate who was followed by a lion, representing Jesus, followed by images of saints. In later processions the lion went first. Many heavy torches were present - bought jointly by the church and parishioners, Beating the bounds happened in the Middle Ages. The procession used to move around the parish boundaries so the young people might know where they lay - this was before detailed maps. Sometimes important spots were impressed on the boys by bumping them on the ground or beating them! The practice of beating the bounds has continued in a few places to the present day, simply as an old custom. Rogation Days are observed in the Roman Catholic church with processions and the Litany of the Saints, Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander Wikipedia

The Annunciation also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady or Annunciation of the Lady The Annunciation of Mary is when the Archangel Gabriel visits Mary to say that she is going to have a son, who she was to call Jesus. * (See Luke ch. 1 verses 26-38) Mary is surprised because she asks, How can this be I do nor know a man? She is still a virgin who has only recently become betrothed to Joseph. The angel replies with these words The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Gabriel goes on to explain that her cousin Elizabeth, in old age, is going to give birth to a son. (This son is John the Baptist) Mary says Behold the maidservant of the Lord!. Let it be to me according to your word. Gabriel then departed. This is how Mary learned that she was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Brief information about Mary and the Archangel Gabriel included. Sources The Bible Wikipedia

Candlemas(s) is a Christian festival also known as Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Feast of the Holy Encounter.*** Candalmas(s) commemorates the presentation of Jesus, as a baby, at the Temple in Jerusalem - Luke ch.22 verses 22-40 ( see notes). This would have happened after the traditional 40 day period of purification of the mother. In the Biblical story Simeon picks up the baby in his arms. When he said theNunc Dimittis he included the phrase a light for revelation to the Gentiles .* It is for this reason that this event is called Candlemas. Many Christians consider Jesus as ‘the light of the world’ so it is fitting that candles are blessed on this day. A candle-lit procession precedes the mass. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate the event by bringing beeswax candles to their local church so they can be blessed to be used in the church or home. Crepes are eaten at Candlemas in such places as France. The idea of Candlemas is believed to have started in the 4th century, with the lighting of candles coming in the 5th century. In the USA and Canada it is also *Groundhog Day. *

Epiphany means ‘revelation’, ‘manifestation’ or ‘showing forth’ - it was the revealing of Jesus to those who were not Jewish - the magi, 3 kings, or 3 wise men were Gentiles. January 6th is the feast day January 6th originally was used to celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. When Jesus received the Holy Ghost it was manifested to the people. The 3 kings are part of the Nativity plays, along with the shepherds, which are part of the birth story of Jesus. Tradition suggests that they arrived days following Halley’s Comet, maybe weeks after, the birth of the baby Jesus. Tradition has named them as Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar and they brought gifts of gold (kingship), frankincense (godship0 and myrrh (for burial0. In orthodox churches Epiphany is also known as The Feast of the Holy Theophany and is important as Christmas. Special cakes are eaten in Spain, France and Mexico. This is also the time that some children from Spain and Italy receive their Christmas presents from the 3 Magic Kings. (Read Epiphany, the Feast of The Three Kings) ( Winter swimming is even mentioned!!) January 6th is also Twelfth Night when the Christmas decorations normally are taken down. Sources used Wikipedia Church Dates for Children by Tony Batchelor

Lent looks at the 40 days leading up to Easter. We think of Jesus spending 40 days fasting in the wilderness before he began his earthly ministry. The word ‘lent’ is the shortened form of the Old English word ‘lencten’ which means spring season. It starts on Ash Wednesday. The day before Ash Wednesday is Shrove Tuesday which is celebrated as Pancake day or Mardi Gras. On this day, the day before fasting begins, the rich, fatty food are eaten up - the last day of ‘fat eating’ or ‘gorging’, in readiness to start fasting. Pancakes are tossed then eaten. On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the palm crosses distributed the previous year at the Palm service, are burnt and the ashes places on people’s foreheads during the service. Lent is a penitential season and many people fast - they cut out/cut down or abstain from eating. It could also include abstaining from drinking alcohol or smoking. it could include praying more, reading more Bible studies instead of watching a favourite television programmes. (Read ‘Fasting and abstinence’) I have included list of other 40 days mentioned in the Bible. Source Wikipedia See also Pancake day & Shrove Tuesday Ash Wednesday Easter

Saint Agatha of Sicily (c.231-251 AD) is a Christine saint. She was born in Catania or Palermo in Sicily. According tot the 13th century Golden Legend by Jacbus de Voragine, Agatha, aged 15, from a rich and noble family made a vow of virginity. She rejected the amorous advances and persistent proposals of marriage to the Roman prefect Quintianus. This was during the persecutions of emperor Decius so he reported her to the authorities for being a Christian. In the first place, to force her to change her mind, He imprisoned her in a brothel but Agatha never lost her confidence in God. He tried again. On being rejected he had her imprisoned and tortured - this included cutting off her breasts with pincers. He then sentenced her to be burnt at the stake but an earthquake saved her from that fate. Although her martyrdom is authenticated there is no reliable information concerning her death. She may have died in prison aged just 20. She is buried at the Badia di Sant’Agata, Catania. Her patronage is wide -these are examples. She is the patron saint of breast cancer patients and earthquakes She is the patron saint of Catania, Malta, Molise, San Marino, Gallipoli and Zamarramala. The tradition of making shaped pastry on the feast of St Agatha-5th February, such as Agatha breads or buns Breasts of St. Agatha is found in many countries. Saint Agatha of Sicily is one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian history. She is one of several martyrs who are commemorated in the Canon of the Mass.

According to Apocryphal tradition Saints Anna and Joachim were the parents of Mary, and therefore the grandparents of Jesus. Anna is the a version of the Hebrew name Hanna. Anna means grace. According to tradition Joachin went to the temple to pray but was not allowed in because he did not have a child. Anna heard, prayed and sacrificed. She promise God she would bring up a child in in God’s name. An angel came to them and were told they would be granted a baby. When the baby was born they named the child Mary Anna became the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Source Saint Anne Facts for Kids

Saint Vincent of Saragossa, also known as Vincent martyr, Vincent of Hauesca or Vincent the Deacon was deacon of the church of Saragossa, Spain in the 3rd century (died c.302AD). Vincent spent most of his life in the city of Saragossa. He was educated and ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Valerius of Saragossa. Valerius had a speech impediment so Vincent acted his spokesman. When Roman Emperor Diocletian began persecuting Christians the two of them were brought before Dacian , the Roman Governor in Valencia. Both were confined to prison. He was offered release if he would burn the holy Scriptures -he refused. His outspoken manner so offended Dacian that he was tortured in various ways- stretched on the rack and his flesh torn with iron hooks- wounds rubbed with salt - burned alive on a red hot gridiron - cast into prison and laid on a floor of broken pottery - where he died. He preserved such peace and tranquility during these tortures that his jailer repented of his sins and was converted. His broken body was thrown into a sack and thrown in the sea but later recovered by Christians. His body was buried outside of the town. His veneration immediately spread throughout the church. (Read Legacy and Veneration) The aged Bishop Valerius was sent into exile. Sources The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander Wikipedia

Saint Oswald ( c.604-642)was king of Northumbria (634-642) until his death and is venerated as a saint. As a youth he was exiled to Iona, Columbia’s island, in the Scottish kingdom of Dal Riata in Northern Britain, where he was converted to Christianity. His brother Eanfrith became king of Bernicia but was killed by Cadwallon in 633/4 after attempting to negotiate peace. Oswald fought Cadwallon in the battle at Heavenfiels, near Hexham. He had a vision of Columba before the battle which he described to his council. They all agreed to be baptized and accept Christianity after the battle. Before the battle he erected a wooden cross. He knelt down, holding the cross in position until enough earth had been thrown to make it stand firm. He then prayed and asked his small army to join him. In the battle which followed Oswald was victorious. Cadwallon was killed. The tall, fair, blued eyed King Oswald reunited Norhthumbria and re-established the Berniccian supremacy. He established himself as the most powerful king in Britain. Adomnan describes Oswald as ‘ordained by God as Emperor of all Britain’. He was able to speak the 4 languages of Britain- Britons, Scots, Picts and English. He was on good terms with the West Saxons. He stood sponsor tot the baptism of king Cynegils and married his daughter Kyneburga. Oswald asked for a bishop from the Irish of Dal Riata. The first, an ‘austere’ bishop, was not successful. The second, Aidan proved to be very successful. He was given the island of Lindisfarne as his episcopal see. The Venerable Bede mentions that Oswald initially interpreted Aidan’s preaching because he did not know English well. Bede recounts Oswald’s generosity to the poor and strangers. One Easter, while dining with Aidan. he hears from a servant that there is a crowd in the streets begging for alms from the king. Oswald gives his * silver dish full of dainties* to them and the dish is broken up. Aidan is so impressed he takes Oswald’s right hand and says May this hand never perish. Saint Oswald died fighting the pagan Mercians under Penda in 642 in the battle of Maserfoeld. Bede says he ended his life in prayer when he realised he was about to die. His head and limbs were placed on stakes. His bones were dispersed as relics, but his head was buried at Lindisfarne - later taken to Durham when the monks fled before the Danish invasion. . After his death, according to Bede, the site where he died * Oswestry or Oswald’s Tree became associated with miracles and legend. Sources used The Churches Year by Charles Alexander Wikipedia

14 Holy Helpers is a group of venerated saints in Roman Catholicism. In my research for well known saints this group has been regularly mentioned so rather than add them as an appendage I have given them separate recognition. Saints Blaise, Cyriacus, Eramus, George, Giles, Panteleon and Vitus the rest may only be legends. See separate information on the 6 given. Apparently this group of * helpers in need* originated in the 14th century as a result of epidemic which became known as the Black death.

Saint Blaise was a physician and bishop of Sebaste in Asia Minor. it is believed he was martyred in 316 AD. People came ‘flocking’ to him because he was able to cure them of bodily and spiritual ills. Apparently he could also heal animals. l The Roman Emperor Licinius believed that arresting and punishing important leaders like Saint Blaise would prevent other people from becoming Christians. One of the stories told about him was that on his way to prison he cured a boy who had a bone stuck in his throat. The legend reads- As he was being led to jail, a mother set her son, choking to death of a fish-bone, at his feet, and the child was cured straight away. Regardless, the governor, unable to make Blaise renounce his faith, beat him with a stick, ripped his flesh with iron combs and beheaded him Up until 1825 a Bishop Blaize festival and procession were held at Bradford. A child would recite these words- Hail to the day when kind auspicious rays Deigned first to smile on famous Bishop Blaize. He is the patron saint of people with diseases of the throat. On February 3rd many parishes bless the throats of their parishioners in a special ceremony. Two unlit candles are held next to each person’s throat as the priest or deacon says - Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. His name is found on inn signs in towns which became centres of the wool trade such as Cirencester and Exeter. It is believed he was tortured by having his body torn apart with the iron combs then used by woolcombers, then beheaded. Saint Blaise is one of the 14 Holy helpers and became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages.

Ezana was the ruler of the kingdom of Aksum. an ancient kingdom centred in what is now Ertres and the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. Ezana was the first monarch of the kingdom of Aksum to embrace Christianity. Ezana is regarded as saint by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church with a feast day of 1st October. Sources Helbrunn Timeline of Art History Wikipedia

Ben Witherington III is an American New Testament scholar and writer. He is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, (1995- present), He is an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church. Ben was born on 30th December 1951 in High Point, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1974 with a B.A. in English. He holds an M.D. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-1977. He has a Ph.D. from Durham University in England -1981. 1982 ordained as a Methodist elder 1982/3 he was a faculty member of the Duke Divinity School and the High Point College. 1984-1995 he was Professor of New Testament at Ashland Theological Seminary. 1992 research fellow and member (1996) at the Robinson College, Cambridge University 1995- present Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary. Ben has presented seminars for churches, colleges and biblical meetings in 8 different countries and led tours in the Holy Lands, Italy, Greece and Turkey. He has appeared on the television channels including the History and Discovery channels. he was featured in the BBC and PBS special entitledThe Story of Jesus.** He has written over 60 books. His books *The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest were selected as top biblical studies by Christianity Today. (See ‘Selected Books’) He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, Institute for Biblical Research and the Society for the Study of the New Testament. ( See notes) In his book Biblical Theology he shows a large coherent Biblical world view, one that progressively reveals the character and action of God. - Amazon Ben Witherington III is a prominent, current, evangelical Biblical scholar of the late20th/early 21st century. Sources Amazon Wikipedia

Elaine Storkey is an English philosopher, theologian and sociologist. She is known for her lecturing, writing, broadcasting and charity work. Elaine, born in 1944, grew up in Ossett, West Yorkshire and was head girl at Ossett grammar School (now Ossett Academy), Elaine studied at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and doing postgraduate work in philosophy at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and York University, England. In 1968 she married Alan Storkey, an economist, writer and lecturer. After research on Ludwig Wittgenstein’s work her first academic post was in philosophy in Oxford University, as a tutor at Manchester College, Oxford. With her husband she then joined the faculty of the University of Stirling. They then did a period of lecturing at Calvin College, Michigan and Covenant College in Tennessee, USA. In 1986 she began broadcasting documentaries, arts, news and current affairs programmes with the BBC. For more than 20 years she was presenter on Radio 4’s Thought for The Day. She currently broadcasts on BBC Radio Ulster Sunday Sequence (See notes on both programme) Elaine has been a member of the General Synod of the Church of England (1987-2016) (See notes) Currently she is president of Fulcrum ( See notes On Fulcrum ‘Anglican think tank’) For many years she spent time teaching and writing with the Open University and presenting radio and television documentaries on gender, race and ethnicity As a result In 1991 she became the Executive Director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC) (1991-9). ( See notes About LICC) In 1997 Elaine became president of Tearfund, a Christian relief and development charity and as a result has been monitoring aid, relif and advocacy work in countries of the Global South. ( See notes of ‘Tearfund’) In 2010, with her husband Alan, they founded Restored an organization committed to advocating against violence to women. (See notes) She has taught at King’s College, London. She has been a lecturer with the Montgomery Trust since 2001. She has lectured across the world- Haiti, India, Nepal, Turkey and Ethiopia and is a prominent feminist evangelical. She continues to teach on the Christian Mind course at Oxford University. Elaine for many years wrote for The Independent, Dagen and the Church Times. Her writings have brought a biblical perspective to the feminist movement. Scars Across humanity; Understanding and overcoming Violence Against Women (2015) was widely acclaimed. The 2nd edition in 2019 won the Christianity Today Book of the Year award for Politics and public Life in the USA Her work has been recognized by Aberystwyth and Cambridge colleges where she has been given fellowships, From Princeton Theological Seminary in 2016 she was awarded the Abraham Kuyper prize for her work as a scholar, writer and journalist. A faithful servant of Christ

Stephen Howe Webb was a theologian and philosopher of religion best known for his work on animal rights… He is recognized for being a leader of the animal theological movement and in the field of religious rhetoric in the late20th/early 21st century. He was born on the 13th March 1961 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His local church was Eaglewood Christian Church, an evangelical church in the Restoration Movement. He wrote about his experiences there in Taking Religion to Schooland an essay *Recalling: A Theologian Remembers his Church. He changed churches several times. At college he joined the Disciples of Christ. Foe a brief time he was a Lutherian. On Easter Sunday 2007 he officially came into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Stephen graduated form Wabash College in 1983 and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. He taught at Wabash College as Professor of Religion and Philosophy from 1988 to 2012 ( 24 years). Besides theology he also taught on Bob dylan, men and masculinity and existentialism. He also delivered lectures all over the USA (See ‘Lectures’). He was on leave from the college 2012/13 and retired early to pursue writing opportunities full-time. He was known for his scholarship and journalism on animals, vegetarianism and diet. He wrote the book On God and Dogs; A Christian Theology of compassion for Animals(1998) and has been listed as one of the leaders of the animal theological movement. (See ‘Oh God and Dog’) He co-founded the Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA) in 1999 with Nathan Braun. (See notes on CVA). Stephen also contributed to The Other Journal founded in 2003 which was to provide space for Christian graduate students to share their work in a spirit of dialogue and mutual criticism. (See notes ‘The Other Journal’) He was also known for what he called theo-acoustics or theology of sound. The Divine Voice: Christian proclamation and the Theology of Sound (2004) was named Christianity Today Top 10 Book for 2004, and the Religious Communication Association’s Book of the Year 2005. Stephen wrote about C.S. Lewis in The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy (2005). Dylan Redeemed: From Highwat 61 to Saved (2006) focused on Dylan’s mid-life conversion to Christianity. He also wrote many essay on the intersection of rhetoric and religion. In 2008 Andrea Lunsford lists him as a leader in the field of religious rhetoric ( the study of using language effectively). ( See ‘Bibliography’ for a list books) After a long struggle with depression Stephen committed suicide on 5th March 2016 just before his 55th birthday. He left behind the love of his life, Diane Timmerman, who he had married on 16th July 1988 and their five children. A very sad lose to his family and the Christian community. Sources used Amazon Google knygos The Indianapolis Star The Other Journal Wikipedia

Nicholas Paul Wolterstorff, born 21st January 1932, is an American philosopher and theologian. He is currently Noah Porter Professor Emeritus Philosophical Theology (NPPEPT) at Yale University. In his career he has been an instructor, assistant/associate/ professor, or visiting professor, at many of the most prestigious universities in the world -from Yale to Cambridge. He is a prolific writer with wide ranging philosophical and theological interests. He helped establish the Society of Christian Philosophers and their journal Faith and Philosophy,. With Alvin Plantings and William Alston he developed Reformed Epistemology - the theory of knowledge, especially the critical study of the validity, methods and scope as it applies in religious beliefs… Degrees B.A Philosophy Calvin College, Michigan 1953 M.A. Philosophy Harvard University 1954 Ph.D. Philosophy ‘’ ‘’ 1957 He then spent a year at Cambridge University, England He has been involved in teaching/lecturing for nearly 50 years. He retired in 2002. He is now Noah Porter Emeritus professor of P&T at Yale. (See ‘Encyclopedia.com’ notes for the many universities he worked in) He has written a ‘library’ of books. ( see Bibliography) Faith an Rationality was co-authored with Plantings and Alston -this is where they expanded on Reformed epistemology. (See note) In 1987 he wroteLament of a son which recounts how he drew on his Christian faith when his 25 year old son Eric died in a mountain accident. He helped to establish the Society of Christian Philosophers (SCP) which was founded in 1978. The society is open to anyone who is interested in philosophy who considers themselves to be a Christian. The committee voted in 1982 to launch Faith and Philosophy; it appeared for the first time in January 1984. The aim of the journal is to foster the philosophical examination of religion and the Christian faith. It is supported by contributions from patrons both within and outside the society. ( See notes on ‘Faith and Philosophy’) He is a former president of the American Philosophical Association (Central District) and serves on its publication and executive committees. During his lifetime he earned a number of of Professional distinctions ( 7) and Endowed lectureships (8). (See both lists) Nicholas Wolterstorff lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Claire. Sources used Amazon Dictionary Wikipedia Yale University

Andrew Purves is a Scottish theologian in the Reform tradition through the church of Scotland and later the Presbyterian Church USA. He is the Jean and Nancy Davis Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology at Pittsburgh Seminary Andrew was born in 1946 in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1978 he moved to the USA and ordained by the Philadelphia Presbytery in 1979. Degrees Philosophy and Divinity at University of Edinburgh Master of Theology form Duke Divinity School Doctor of Philosophy from University of Edinburgh He served as pastor at the Hebron Presbyterian Church in Clinton, Pennsylvania until 1983 when he began teaching at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS). He retired from PTS after 32 years (2015). In addition to his academic work he has served the church and wider community though his work with the PC(USA) and lectureships around the world. He has written a number of publications, both books and articles, academic and popular. His primary concerns surround Christology - the branch of Theology concerned with the person, attributes and deeds of Jesus Christ. Recontructing pastoral Theology; A Christogical Foundation and Exploring Christology and Atonement:Conversations are two of his books. ( See Amazon sheet and ‘Purves has along list of publications’) He has become a leader of evangelical renewal in the Presbyterian Church of the USA (PC(USA) and is known for his conservative Christian views concerning the person and work of Jesus, ( See notes on PC(USA) ) He agrees with the withholding of ordination of self-avowed, practicing, unrepentant gays and lesbians. Andrew is married to Catherine (Cathy) Purves. They had 3 children.

Moises Siva is a Cuban born American biblical scholar, minister, author, translator and editor. He is an ordained minister of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He has served as a translator of several Bibles. He is also a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society (1997) Moises was born in Havana, Cuba on 4th September 1925 and has lived in the USA since 1960. He earned the following degrees BA Bob Jones University 1966 BD Westminster Theological Seminary 1969 ThM ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ 1971 Phd University of Manchester 1972 He taught Biblical Studies at Westminster College (1972-1981), Westminster Theological Seminary (1981-1996), and Godon Conewll Theological Seminary (1996-2000) where he was Mary French Rockerfeller Distinguished Professor of New Testament until he retired. He has been involved as a translator in the New American Standard Bible the *New Living Translation and the recent English Standard Version. He has also been consultant for Eugene Peterson’s The Message . Moises is the editor of the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis . He was also editor of both the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, and the Westminster Journal. Moises’ Biblical Words and Their Meaning (1983, 2nd ed.1994) challenged many common linguistic fallacies in biblical interpretation. He has also found time to author or co-author several books and articles. His commentary on Philippians was highly acclalmed. (See list of ‘Works’) Moises Siva currently lives in Litchfield, Michigan where he continues to work as an author and editor. Sources Wikipedia