Frank William Boreham 1871-1959

Frank William Boreham 1871-1959
A photo F W Boreham took of himself in 1911

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Boreham and a Theology of Time and Place

A major theme in F W Boreham's newspaper articles was his theology of time and place.

Boreham’s reading of history cultivated his long view of human existence. His allusive style provided his readers with other perspectives and encouraged them to see how their era contrasted with a former age.

Dr Boreham, through his historical editorials, sought to be an interpreter of the times as he wrote about destiny, unchanging principles, elemental powers and providence. Hoping his love of history would be contagious, Boreham hinted at history as a medium of divine revelation. His human-centered approach encouraged readers to engage with the figures of history who, though dead, might become through books and monuments a “potent force” through which “our finest impulses are quickened and our highest aspirations inflamed.”[1]

Boreham also sought to connect history to the present day and his editorials that addressed seasons, religious festivals and civic commemorations took seriously the context of time and had important public dimensions.

Geoff Pound

Image: “Boreham also sought to connect history to … civic commemorations.” View of ANZAC Cove at Gallipoli. One of the most important commemorations in the Australia and NZ calendars is ANZAC Day on the 25 April of each year.

[1] F W Boreham, Mercury, 8 April 1933.