We often think of history as a subject we can take or leave. Maybe you loved it in school, or maybe you found it boring. But the truth is, history shapes us whether we pay attention or not. The decisions made by people long before we were born continue to affect our lives today. Laws, technologies, beliefs, and even the layout of our cities are all gifts—or burdens—from the past.
For Christians, this is even more profound. Our faith is built on events that really happened: a people called out of Egypt, a Savior born in Bethlehem, a resurrection that changed everything. We cannot understand who we are without understanding where we have come from. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). Their stories are not just ancient tales; they are testimonies that still speak.
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)
The Virtues We Need to Study the Past
Studying history is not a neutral activity. It requires certain virtues if we are to do it well and in a way that honors God. Without these virtues, we risk misusing the past—either by idolizing it or by dismissing it.
Humility
Humility is essential because we are not the first to walk the path of faith. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Pride makes us think we are wiser or more faithful than previous generations. But humility recognizes that we have much to learn from both the successes and failures of our spiritual ancestors. As Proverbs says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7, NIV). A humble heart is open to correction and wisdom from the past.
Love
Love for God and neighbor should guide our study of history. Love for God means we seek to understand His work in history, giving Him glory for His faithfulness. Love for neighbor means we approach the people of the past with charity, not judgment. We can learn from their mistakes without condemning them, because we too are flawed. The apostle Paul writes that love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6, ESV). Studying history with love means we pursue truth without using it as a weapon.
Gratitude
Gratitude turns our attention to what God has done. When we read about the martyrs, the reformers, the missionaries, and the ordinary saints, we see God’s grace at work. Gratitude keeps us from taking our faith for granted. It reminds us that we are part of a story much larger than ourselves. As the psalmist says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 118:1, NIV).
How to Engage with Church History Today
Engaging with church history does not require a degree. It can start with small, intentional steps. Here are some practical ways to let the past enrich your faith.
- Read a biography of a Christian from another era. Choose someone from a different century or tradition than your own. Let their struggles and joys speak to you.
- Visit a historic church or cemetery. Take time to read the inscriptions and imagine the lives of those buried there. Pray for the same faithfulness.
- Join a small group that studies a classic Christian text. Works like Augustine’s Confessions or Athanasius’s On the Incarnation are accessible and deep.
- Reflect on your own spiritual heritage. Talk to older believers in your church. Ask them about how God has worked in their lives.
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4, ESV)
Practical Application: A Question to Carry with You
As you go about your week, consider this: What story from the past has shaped your faith the most? It might be a Bible story, a family story, or a story from church history. Take a few minutes to thank God for that story. Then think about what story you are leaving for the next generation. How can you live today in a way that will encourage those who come after you? History is not just about the dead; it is about the living who will one day be part of the past. Let us study it with humility, love, and gratitude, so that we may be faithful witnesses in our own time.
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