It is now fifty years—half a century—since I began teaching church history. Throughout the years, my approach to teaching the subject has undergone transformation. In the beginning, I concentrated on the dates, persons and events. But as the years have gone by, I’ve added an emphasis on the lessons of church history.
I tell my students that church history is more than an academic subject—more than dates and dead people. For the Christian, church history helps us understand who we are. We can be inspired by twenty centuries of faithful examples of brothers and sisters who loved God before our time. We can also be illuminated by their missteps.
What is the number one lesson of church history? For me, it is this: When preaching is strong and centered on the Bible, the church becomes strong. When preaching is weak and not centered on the Bible, the church becomes weak. We don’t have to look very far to see evidence of this.
One turning point in the history of the church is Martin Luther’s resolve before the Imperial Diet of Worms in 1521. He was faced with the choice between a personally risky affirmation of biblical doctrine or denying those truths and maintaining ease of life. Today, we owe so much to his response: “Here I stand. I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” Luther never looked back and neither has historic Protestantism!
The lessons don’t end there. A knowledge of church history can both humble us and make us thankful. By studying church history, we can learn that:
- We can’t see all that God is doing in one lifetime.
- He is not in a hurry.
- A healthy church will evoke opposition.
- Heresy usually has some element of truth in it.
- The greatest impact is sometimes made by simple, undistinguished believers.
- Christ’s promise that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against [the church]” (Matthew 16:18) has triumphed over two millennia.
The lessons go on and on! Church history is your friend. So, get to know Augustine and Anselm, Luther and Lloyd-Jones, and a host of others whose ministry and story will serve you well. Study and learn for yourself all the rich lessons church history has to offer.
