Why Study Church History?

There are at least 7 reasons why believers should not be ignorant but should strive to have a thorough appreciation and profound knowledge of church history.

1. Church history is an integral part of world history and we ought to know what is happening to us.

2. Knowledge of Church history gives us a warning and an understanding of the present state of Christianity. Our past affects our present and probably the future.

3. Church history serves also as a good commentary on the Scriptures. It is a factual elaboration of what God has done in times past and is ever a rich resource for historic and contemporary sermons.

4. Church history is actually the outworking of the sovereign acts of God in the lives of men and nations.

5. We do well to study the characters in Church history and learn from the illustrious lives. Let the lives of John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, William Carey and others enthuse and stimulate you to greater love for God and His kingdom.

6. Church history provides a large resource of examples and anecdotes for preaching and teaching. There is not a more profound place to find illustrations and examples than our historical accounts of the Church, its events and actors in history (ie Revival, Reformation, crusades, martyrdom, missions, etc).

7. The Lord is interested and deeply involved in the lives of the Church, so should every child of God be.