October 5: Today in Christian History

October 5, 1869

The Fourth Constantinople Council opens. During its six sessions, the council condemned iconoclasm and anathematized Constantinople Patriarch Photius. (It's a story too complicated to go into here, but basically, there was a strong disagreement over who was the "real" patriarch, and whether Holy Spirit proceeded from the Son as well as the Father). It was the last ecumenical council held in the East, but Eastern Orthodox Christians don't consider it a true ecumenical council.

October 5, 1573

Anabaptist Maeyken Wens Died a Cruel Death for Christ 

October 5, 1582

The Gregorian calendar is introduced into Italy and other Catholic countries to replace the Julian calendar, which had lost ten days against the solar calendar. This day becomes October 15.

October 5, 1607

A murderous attack leaves Paolo Sarpi wounded. Sarpi's advice to Venice and his sharp knowledge of canon law had defeated a papal interdict, forcing the pope to settle his dispute with Venice on terms unsatisfactory to himself. Sarpi was widely credited with having nullified the potency of papal interdicts, infuriating ecclesiastics. Because the papal representative of Venice shelters the would-be assassins and because they later are given temporary asylum in Rome, the complicity of the pope and his cardinals will be widely credited.

October 5, 1690

Solomon Stoddard preaches a famed sermon on the Lord’s Supper, saying people should be allowed to partake even if not sure of their salvation.

October 5, 1703

American evangelical preacher and Congregational theologian Jonathan Edwards is born in East Windsor, Connecticut. The leading theologian of his day, he is known most commonly for his Great Awakening sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," which he delivered in a quiet monotone. In fact, the content of the sermon is rather atypical for Edwards

October 5, 1744

David Brainerd, who had been expelled from Yale for criticizing a tutor and attending a forbidden revival meeting, began missionary work with Native Americans along New Jersey's Susquehanna River. Jonathan Edwards' biography of Brainerd was very influential in promoting world missions activity. That biography was an important book in the spiritual journey of William Carey.

October 5, 1824

Writing from Guayaquil, Ecuador, James “Diego” Thomson, agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society and of the British and Foreign School Society says, “I firmly believe that the deliverance of this country from bondage and oppression, and the mental emancipation of its inhabitants, depend upon the success of this revolution [independence from Spain]. The Spaniards, as is well known, have greatly impeded, not to say prohibited, the progress of knowledge and of true religion in America.”

October 5, 1890

Christians took control of the government in Uganda, thanks in large part to the courage of an Anglican believer, Hamu Lujonza Kaddu Mukasa, who had won a decisive victory during the religious wars. Mukasa will become an important chief and advisor to King Mwangi, and will help to give the Anglican Church prominence in his nation.

October 5, 1979

Five hundred evangelical pastors in Nicaragua who are associated with the Protestant charitable group CEPAD (Evangelical Committee for Aid and Development), sign a statement saying they support the Sandinista Communist revolution’s aims relative to their first loyalty to Christ.