Hark the Herald Angels Sing is one of the best-known and best-loved Christmas songs and has been for well over 260 years. But you might not recognize the original lyrics. It began with:

Hark how all the welkin rings, Glory to the King of Kings

What on earth is a welkin? And how did this hymn change over time?

Here’s the story behind the original hymn, the change in its lyrics, and how it came to be the familiar song we know today.

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• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
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• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
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Jesus was likely born between 5 and 6 B.C.

That's seems odd, of course. Our calendar is broken up into B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (anno Domini, the year of our Lord) so doesn’t that mean Jesus was born in year one (since we don’t count year zero)?

Actually, the issue is a bit more complex than that.

Although the Gospel writers did not focus primarily on preserving a precise chronological history of Jesus’ life and ministry, we can still approximate some key dates by comparing historical markers with passages of Scripture.

Let's take a look at what we know from Scripture and history.

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• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
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• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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The Nicene Creed is one of the most significant statements of faith in Christian history. But have you ever wondered how it came to be?

This video reveals the historical events, people, and controversies that led to its formation. We'll look at the turmoil of the Roman Empire at the time of Constantine and survey the fierce theological disagreements about Jesus’ divinity. You’ll meet key figures like Athanasius, Alexander, Arius, and learn how their competing views brought about the need for a creed.

We’ll also explore why the Nicene Creed still matters, from its role in uniting the early church to its relevance in understanding core Christian doctrine. Whether you’re familiar with the Creed or hearing about it for the first time, this episode will give you a clear and engaging look at a defining moment in church history.

00:00:39 - What is a Creed?
00:01:22 - The Historical Cycle: Controversy, Council, Creed
00:02:29 - The Role of Constantine
00:04:58 - The Controversy and Key Players
00:07:41 - The Council of Nicaea
00:10:57 - The Creed of Nicaea
00:12:22 - Post-Creed Controversy
00:15:06 - The Death of Arius
00:17:13 - Post-Nicaea Drama and Controversy
00:18:02 - Council of Constantinople
00:20:52 - The Importance of the Nicene Creed Today
00:21:33 - Theological Issues in Today's Church

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Want to memorize the Nicene Creed? This song can help!
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📖 57 Great Books Every Christian Should Own

If you enjoy the sermons and written works of CH Spurgeon, check out the all-new CHSpurgeon.com Here you'll find sermon audio as well as resources by and about the Prince of Preachers.

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• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
• A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History
• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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The doctrine of Sola Gratia, or salvation by grace alone, is a central truth of the Gospel. Scripture is clear that we cannot earn forgiveness by our works, but only through the free gift of God's grace made available to use through faith in Christ.

Listen to this sermon on Ephesians 2:1-10 as we consider the universal need for grace, the unearned gift of grace, and the ultimate result of grace.

Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


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📖 57 Great Books Every Christian Should Own

🎧 Podcast Episodes & Starter Packs

If you enjoy the sermons and written works of CH Spurgeon, check out the all-new CHSpurgeon.com Here you'll find sermon audio as well as resources by and about the Prince of Preachers.

Support the show

GET THE NEWSLETTER
Each edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS:

• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
• A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History
• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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We are called by Scripture to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is within us. These 6 apologetics books will equip you with not only the information but also the mindset needed to articulate the truth claims of Christianity to others.

📙 New Evidence that Demands a Verdict – Josh & Sean McDowell

📙 The Historical Reliability of the Gospels – Craig Blomberg

📙 Tactics – Greg Koukl

📙 Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis

📙 Kingdom of Cults – Walter Martin

📙 The Big Book of Christian Apologetics: An A to Z Guide – Norman Geisler

MORE RESOURCES
📖 57 Great Books Every Christian Should Own 

Support the show

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Each edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS:

• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
• A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History
• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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Martin Luther was a man whose heart was held captive to the Word of God. He was used mightily by God to usher in the Protestant Reformation, which would serve to recover the core truths of the Gospel that had been obscured by medieval religion and superstition.

On this episode we will examine the life of the man who sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Learn more at ReasonableTheology.org/Luther

Some Recommended Luther Biographies

Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton

Luther and the Reformation: How a Monk Discovered the Gospel by RC Sproul

The Legacy of Luther by RC Sproul and Stephen Nichols

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Each edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS:

• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
• A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History
• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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What does the Bible say about the role of elders in the church?

On this episode, we explore the biblical foundation for church leadership, looking at key passages that outline the responsibilities, qualifications, and importance of elders in guiding the body of Christ.

Discover how biblical eldership supports healthy, thriving churches and how this leadership structure follows the example set in the New Testament.

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✉️ Subscribe to the Newsletter

📖 57 Great Books Every Christian Should Own

🎧 Podcast Episodes & Starter Packs

If you enjoy the sermons and written works of CH Spurgeon, check out the all-new CHSpurgeon.com Here you'll find sermon audio as well as resources by and about the Prince of Preachers.

Support the show

GET THE NEWSLETTER
Each edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS:

• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
• A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History
• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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Who were the 12 Apostles? Do you think you could name them all without looking it up?

In this video, we'll consider the lives of Jesus' closest disciples, exploring their backgrounds, where they appear in Scripture, their roles in spreading Christianity, and what tradition teaches about their deaths. 

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Each edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS:

• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
• A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History
• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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The health and effectiveness of a church depends on the health and effectiveness of each individual believer, just as the health and vitality of your physical body is dependent on its individual parts.

Romans 12:3-8 says:
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

As we consider how members of a local church body are to contribute to the health of their congregations, we will look first at humility, secondly at unity, and thirdly at responsibility. Humility, Unity, and Responsibility.

If you enjoy the sermons and written works of CH Spurgeon, check out the all-new CHSpurgeon.com Here you'll find sermon audio as well as resources by and about the Prince of Preachers.

Support the show

GET THE NEWSLETTER
Each edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS:

• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
• A Painting Depicting a Scene from Scripture or Church History
• Audio of a Hymn or other Musical Selection to Enjoy
• A Recommended Book or Resource to Expand Your Library

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As RC Sproul has said, “The issue for Christians is not whether we are going to be theologians, but whether we are going to be good theologians or bad ones.” 

These books are trustworthy resources to help you become a better theologian.

1) Systematic Theology

• Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth, MacArthur 
• Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, John Frame 
• Systematic Theology, Louis Berkhof
• Systematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine – Wayne Grudem 

2) Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms – Edited by Chad Van Dixhoorn

3) Theological Dictionary – Greg R Allison

4) Institutes of the Christian Religion – John Calvin

5) What Is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics – RC Sproul

6) Knowledge of the Holy – A.W. Tozer

7) Holiness of God – RC Sproul

8) Redemption Accomplished and Applied – John Murray

9) A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689

10) Baptist Catechism – Benjamin Keach

11) A Body of Divinity – Thomas Watson

12) Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms

See more book recommendations at ReasonableTheology.org/Bookshelf

Support the show

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Each edition of the Reasonable Theology newsletter contains my latest article or podcast episode PLUS:

• A Theological Word or Phrase Explained Quickly and Clearly
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