Taking the time to learn about the lives and circumstances of the past can often feel like a chore until we begin to see the larger picture. This picture shows our connection to Christians of the past and helps us to grasp our place in the story. Why should we study Christian history? Here are six reasons.
Reason 1: An act of obedience
Throughout Scripture, we see God’s people being told to remember what God has done. From Exodus (13:3), where the people were told to remember God’s deliverance, to the gospels, where Jesus told them to remember the things he said and did (John 14:26), through Revelation, where we are instructed to remember where we came from (2:5)—this remembering is a simple act of obedience, and it is the main reason we need to study Christian history.
Reason 2: Instruction
Learning about those that came before us helps us to begin to understand and grow in our knowledge of why it is important to interpret the Bible accurately and to avoid reading the culture into the text. It was not written for a specific generation or culture. Learning this truth through the stories of Christians in history can help guard against false teaching. Truth matters. And understanding how things came about matters to learning the truth.
Reason 3: Perspective
Christians hold to many major tenets of the faith, but learning how Christians in history developed the doctrines that we know today can help us to develop our own understanding. We take many things for granted after Christians in the past were martyred because they believed so strongly in the truth of the doctrine. Learning about how those before us struggled while Christianity developed in turn develops our own perspective on faith in today’s culture.
Reason 4: Enlightenment and inspiration
People around the world are more connected than ever before, but most keep their eyes on their community without seeing beyond their sphere of influence. Learning about Christians throughout history and from around the world reminds us that we are part of a larger family of faith that comes out of every tribe and nation. We are not alone! This realization motivates us to persevere, inspires us to minister to others, and provides a stronger grasp and understanding of God’s grace.
Reason 5: Humility, conviction, and worship
Studying history helps us to see where we fit within the story of Christianity. It reveals the brevity of our lives compared to all of history, and it helps us to decide what we’re willing to sacrifice and how we want to contribute to the furtherance of the gospel while growing in our faith. Considering these things, we are often prompted to express reverence and adoration for God because of his order over the chaos of the world.
Reason 6: Spiritual growth
As we grow in all these areas, we come to a greater knowledge of who God is and how he works in our lives. This, in turn, gives us a better understanding of who we are, how God has gifted us, and what he has called us to. Find someone in history that inspires you and grow in how you want to inspire others.
Recommended resources
- Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley
- Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark A. Noll
- Documents of the Christian Church by Henry Bettenson
- The Story of Christianity, Vols. 1 and 2 by Justo L. González
- Jesus Freaks, Vols. 1 and 2 by DC Talk and Voice of the Martyrs
First published with Women In Apologetics.
