Historical Writings

Martyrdom of Theodoritus, a Greek-speaking Syrian Christian priest, during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate. His relics will be taken to Uz

During the Fifth Session of the Council of Chalcedon, the final form of the Chalcedonian Creed was drafted. It became the Early Church's highest and most enduring "definition" of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

King Charles II of England presents a proposed Declaration of Indulgence to Independents and bishops, who offer suggestions for revision. Three days later the revised declaration is promulgated.

Revival leader Jonathan Dickinson obtains a charter for the College of New Jersey to train Presbyterian pastors. It will become Princeton University.

Death of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of English Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Their marriage had lasted thirty-six years, until Charles' death in 1892, and she had engaged in many minstries alongside her husband.

C. S. Lewis preaches a sermon at the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford in which he asks, "How can we study Latin, geography, algebra in a time like this? Aren't we just fiddling while Rome burns?" He then assures the assembled students that it is worthwhile and essential to continue studies even in the face of World War II.

Death of Paul Tillich, existentialist Lutheran theologian, infamous for describing God as the "ground of all being."

Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth declared in a letter: 'God makes no mistakes.'

Harold John Ockenga, a leading fundamentalist, is inaugurated as president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Death of Emmanuel Adekunle Atilade, who had been an educator, writer, poet and composer, but above all a zealous pastor and evangelist for the Nigerian Baptist Convention and Gospel Baptist Conference.