Why I don't use Today in Christian History - an appeal for votes on suggestions

MJ. Smith
MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,105
edited November 21 in English Forum

Today in Christian History is a serious gift to American Christianity which like much that is American lacks an in-depth understanding of history. However, it is hidden in the Home Page Explore section which I rarely have reason to view.

Clicking on it takes you to the Factbook entry for that event:

Alternatively, one can access Factbook by Day to view the possible entries for a day ... I chose tomorrow to show multiple possible entries.

My objections/suggestions?

  • In contemporary times, I would like to see more emphasis on church history rather than what seems like a "cult of personalities." It takes some time to learn who actually made a lasting impact on church history.
  • I have a favorite resource with a Verbum emphasis that I'd like to see added to the calendar See The American Catholic Almanac | Faithlife
  • In the redesign of the Home Page when the Saints card was omitted, its reinstatement was not as a church sanctoral cycle but as a saints calendar book (like calendar devotional). Please restore the original purpose - both may be needed.  See Default saints layout | Faithlife Yes, this is related in that a saint's day is, in theory, the day of their death/birth in new realm.
  • In some manner, reinstate the liturgical ribbon of L7 in some format so that the date dependent items (lectionary/missal, prayer book, saints, day in history) are readily accessible on the work page. See Revive liturgical ribbon | Faithlife

Note that some of these requests illustrate how the suggestions themselves need revision as the application changes.

Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

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Comments

  • Sean
    Sean Member Posts: 1,761 ✭✭✭

    I've used this tool before and largely agree with your points, especially about seeing more of church history rather than individuals (and that primarily their birth and death dates).

    Question: is this curated from resources that are in your library with timeline tags, or does it come from a centralized source? I had assumed the former, but we both have the same three people for January 31. I'm sure you have more Verbum resources than I do, which would lead me to expect some differences, but such is not the case.

  • Mal Walker
    Mal Walker Member Posts: 395 ✭✭✭

    I agree with the 'cult of personalities' comments, though this might simply be a result of attempting to have something worth mentioning for every day rather then selecting people over events etc.

    Current MDiv student at Trinity Theological College - Perth, Western Australia

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,105

    Question: is this curated from resources that are in your library with timeline tags, or does it come from a centralized source?

    I am not certain. I thought it was associated in some way with the day label but it seems to be driven solely by Factbook with some selection procedure.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."