Why Church history matters

In May 325, exactly 1700 years ago, the Council of Nicaea began.

And the Church was forever changed.

Because of the Council, the divinity of Jesus became “official” Church doctrine.

Because of the Council, Western churches celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after Passover.

Because of the Council, Christianity became an influential force in politics, shaping the world as we know it.

To put it simply, Church history matters.

Knowing Our History

Though I’m not a member of a “high church” denomination like Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, or Episcopalianism, I respect them greatly.

Why?

Because they have a tight connection to Church history.

While I believe strongly in the value of simple, non-institutional churches (being part of one myself!), one of their biggest drawbacks is a general ignorance of what’s come before.

And, after reading about Nicaea, I hope you can see the importance of knowing our history.

Your Church tradition did not magically appear one day, it was the result of years and years of change and adaptation.

An example…

I became a Jesus follower in a conservative Evangelical church in the United States. That church sprang from the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s, which in turn grew out of the Charismatic/Pentecostal movement of the early 20th century, which itself developed from Anglo-American revivals of the 19th century.

(And that’s only about 1800 years after the Church began in Jerusalem!)

You Came From Somewhere 

In 1 Peter 3v15, the apostle famously writes:

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Knowing Church history helps with that.

A healthy knowledge of history helps us understand who we are as a Church and how an unchanging God has worked through an ever-changing world.

Knowing history protects us from falling into blind traditionalism or perpetuating the errors of our forefathers and foremothers.

It grants us a deeper respect for the Gospel and helps us work to preserve it now and in the age to come.

So that’s why I write about Church history here on Theophilus. Whether that be the Crusades of the 11th century, World War I in the 20th century, or Nicaea way back in the 4th.

We follow a God who, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, embedded Himself in history.

If nothing I wrote so far has convinced you, that fact alone should.

So may we know the story behind to craft a strong story ahead.

Until next week.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

Theophilus Newsletter