Monday, January 12, 2026

It is the 12th of January 2026. Welcome to the Christian History Almanac, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org; I’m Dan van Voorhis.

A very happy Monday to you- this past weekend, there was an issue with Apple Podcasts that I know of- but the weekend show was pushed out, and if you are ever wondering if a show is out yet (they almost always are…), you can head to 1517.org and podcasts to see if the show is there.

That is also where you can find the unofficial transcript to the show- every script from the second year (2020 and on).

We head to the mailbag today to settle a dispute between a set of brothers- Bret and Kevin- Bret, in Mason City, Iowa, wrote about the dispute… Mason City, Iowa, is home to Meredith Wilson, who wrote “The Music Man,” a musical that takes place in Iowa. Bret has taken offense at his brother's claim to be both a Methodist and a Radical. Boys, boys… what a silly thing to fight about- and there might not be a more perfect podcast for adjudicating such a claim.

So, denominational titles and other identifiers for ourselves can be helpful. We all want to be “orthodox” or “praising correctly,” and the various names we give different churches tell us about how they practice, and we can determine what practices we believe to be orthodox, most important, etc…

And over time, these distinctions, which often come with signifiers, build their own institutions and become their own behemoths. And then, just to muddy the waters, some of these institutions with certain signifiers and names continue to use those names but cease to believe in those distinctions. All of this to say- as I always say on the Almanac- your mileage may vary! 1st Presbyterian or St. Paul’s Lutheran might have little to do with the signage- you have to go in to see.

BUT- these distinctions are not insignificant, especially when they are acted upon.  

The first distinction in the Christian Church is that of Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant. Yes, there are the “Oriental Orthodox”- broke off early and made for a 4th bucket… fair enough.

Bret- when Kevin claims to be both Methodist and Radical, he is saying, twice, that he likes the “Protestant” bucket. Fair enough.

If we were to subdivide inside the Protestant bucket, we would find that there are Lutheran, Presbyterian/Reformed, Anglican, and Radical.

The “radical” denotes those who share a couple of things in common- they tend not to have any magisterial backing, and they aren’t looking for state support. They tend to be less sacramental- or, at least, the formal sacraments are seen as only a part of the way God communicates. Worship tends to be “low” as opposed to “high,” and there tend to be fewer structures and hierarchies.

So, can you be “radical” and “Methodist”? Well, a “Methodist” is a Christian from the Anglican tree who is going to emphasize the affective elements of the faith… kind of like “low church Anglicans”. And I think this is why Kevin says, “I’m a Methodist Radical”.

Now, to Bret’s point- the Methodist Church (here in America, the “United Methodist’s are the biggest group) is a subset of the Anglicans- and thus, can’t be “radical”. There are Methodist bishops and all kinds of hierarchies… thus, the “radical” claim upsets the big brother, and I get why.  

Here’s the rub. We are going to be called to worship in distinct places with specific views and practices. We have to decide how much agreement we have to have with those with whom we worship. We might find ourselves perfectly at home in a larger denomination with clear-cut, distinctive, or perhaps in our own local churches. We might find ourselves quite Lutheran but worshiping with Methodists or quite Baptist but hanging out with the Presbyterians.

The titles and names help us identify things- they are important- but can only be a trace outline of a deeper faith. Bret, I’m gonna go with you- Methodist and Radical are two different things, but I get what Kevin is laying down.

Do you want me to adjudicate a church historical dilemma? Or just any old question- send it to me at danv@1517.org.

The Last word for today comes from the daily lectionary and more fun in Acts:

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

This has been the Christian History Almanac for the 12th of January 2026, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org.

The show is produced by a man whose church signage claims UAC- and you better believe it… he is Christopher Gillespie. 

The show is written and read by a man with a capital D, and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool…. I’m Dan van Voorhis.

You can catch us here every day- and remember that the rumors of grace, forgiveness, and the redemption of all things are true…. Everything is going to be ok.