Monday, May 4, 2026

It is the 4th of May 2026. Welcome to the Christian History Almanac, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org; I’m Dan van Voorhis.

Happy Monday- hopefully my flights to and from Arkansas were without problems- but I did a show early, just in case. And, if something terrible happened, this would be the last show ever. Let’s hope not.

So many good questions recently- I wish we could all just get together sometime- a live show or something. But until then, I will try to answer as many questions as I can- we’re probably in the 10s of thousands of emails now- but like Sisyphus, I’ll do the daily rock rolling even if it might never be completed.

Tim had a good question for a daily show- Tim is writing from Brooklyn, Michigan- huh, Brooklyn, New York was founded by my ancestors- true story. Tim is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan- a town founded by two men who both had wives named Ann. True story.

Tim wrote, “Good morning, Wondering when Holy water was started in the Catholic church, what were Luther's thoughts on the Vampire killing spray?”

I was with a friend recently- an ordained Presbyterian pastor, and we were at a local abbey and went in, and he dipped his fingers in the little stoup- the thing with the water and the front and crossed himself. What? That can make people uncomfortable- like when some of my friends go to a church where they raise their hands and stuff… I come from a theological background that is very happy to think very hard about things… but let’s leave the physical stuff to the catholics and charismatics…

Well- let’s go to Numbers 5:17- we read “Then he shall take some holy water in a clay jar and put some dust from the tabernacle floor into the water”. Woah!

Of course, there were various cleansing rituals that we believed presaged baptism. Even John’s Baptism- or pagan ideas about the need for some kind of washing. And we say- “yes! It’s all pointing to Baptism!” But why did the “Holy Water” remain?

Let’s make a parallel to the use of oil- often blessed- but commanded in the New Testament, like in James 5, for use with the sick. There’s something about a physical symbol for a spiritual reality. We can bracket off the Sacraments if you wish- many would say they are more than mere symbols. Gotcha. But is there a place for the symbolic use of water?

As far back as the Apostolic Constitution from around 400, we have a reference to this- in chapter VIII, we read

"Let the bishop bless the water, or the oil. But if he be not there, let the presbyter bless it, the deacon standing by.”

That’s interesting as a comment on a certain hierarchy- but also that just as oil can be blessed, so too can water. Not as a sacrament in the sense that word has come to mean- but as something that signifies a special remembrance and blessing.

During the Reformation, you might expect Zwingli and Calvin to reject it- they do. Luther is a little more careful than was his wont. For the sake of “how things have always been done” and for the care of consciences, he didn’t want to ditch it all. There was an elaborate water and salt blessing that was especially for exorcism that the Catholic Church kept, but like many things, distanced itself from during Vatican II. But the practice has been kept- I know of Lutheran churches and Anglican churches that have stoups. I’m reminded of the quote from Luther that all water is blessed- and that when we wash our face, we should remember our Baptism. And so, does the use of a physical thing help focus your mind on a spiritual reality? Or, does it lead to superstition? There’s the rub- the Protestant churches have a wide berth here- and so, with the conscience of the congregation in mind… do what you will- ask for God’s guidance and forgiveness where it gets messed up. It’s interesting to me that many who would poo-poo Holy water would also get very excited about going to the Jordan or collecting other things that might not be commanded, but perhaps helpful in devotion. As for vampires… I’m deeply suspicious of their hatred of garlic, as I would be for most people.

Thanks, Tim, for the question- keep them coming to danv@1517.org- I dare you to flood my inbox and guide the content of the show for some time!

The Last word for today comes from the daily lectionary and Exodus, as all the readings are heavy with this story in these days on the calendar:

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”

20 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

This has been the Christian History Almanac for the 4th of May 2026, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org.

The show is produced by the man with the Sisyphean task of editing this show every day- he is Christopher Gillespie.

The show is written and read by a man who swears, if we lose the series to the Mets this weekend, I might be ready to boycott until Arte sells the team… 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.