SUBJECT - CHURCH HISTORY // UNIT - 1 // LESSON - 3 // The Need for Church History //

 LESSON – 3

The Need for Church History

The place for church history in the appreciation of our modern civilization cannot be over stressed. Church history stands to benefit Christians of all ages and all denominations. Apostle Paul definitely underscores the value of church history when through divine inspiration, he noted that “…whatsoever things were written a foretime, were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scripture might have hope” – (Romans 15:4). Thus, there abound pragmatic, didactic and moral values of church history for every human society: both the ancient and the modern. Although church history would be more relevant, and significant to those who see the finger of God that rules and reigns in the affairs of men; and or uses men, events, and ordinary human activities to achieve His divine purpose(s).

The history of the Christian faith is the most important and most intriguing study that one can undertake next to the study of the Holy Scriptures. There is something within Christians wanting to know the simple facts of their origins. Hence, all churches, like everybody and nations are deeply concerned and mindful about their past. This longing, coupled with the realization that we are presently experiencing what may be considered as most unusual worldwide outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in which the definition of the church has come to be of most importance, makes the study of church history expedient. The most biblical definition of the church we have advocated in this book is simply that the church is that people of God in whose midst is found the spontaneous presence and activity of Jesus Christ. In this light, the history of the Christian church with the ultimate intent to give validity to this present move of the Holy Spirit as the most genuine present expression of the true life of Christ in His people – holy apostolic universal church of our Lord Jesus Christ in all the earth. Church history is therefore, needful to mould our ideologies in the contextual framework of activities and life of God’s people – past and present. The Christian church, as Mayer would argue, has been one of the most powerful forces in the history of civilization during the past more than two thousand years now. Although, such history would be of greater consequence for some more than others. However, to a large number of people, it provides a greater understanding of the contemporary civilization from a Christian perspective. To more others, it may have didactic value that they may find it possible to learn from the past. The implication of this is that, the history of the church would help in the assessment of the present church as to what may or may not be feasible in conducting the affairs of the church or that are capable of destroying the Christian faith. All Christian workers and Pastors will certainly find the appreciation of the church work and ministry greatly enriched by the study of church history. Just as the study of the history of our nation helps to develop patriotism, so the study of church history would help in the Christians in the development of greater loyalty to the institution to which they are part. Church history will be much more relevant and significant to those who believe that there is God who rules and governs his church and those who believe that God uses men and events in ordinary activities and course of His purpose.

Succinctly put, the following could be deduced as the general importance of church history to all and sundry.

1. Church History helps in the Appreciation and Understanding of the state of the Present Church.

 

The fact of life is that, what we are; what we experience; and what we see today as a group or individual are often times traceable to our yesterday or our past. In other words, some knowledge of our yesterday (past) is needful for us to successfully unravel, understand and interpret our present. Our differences in doctrines, liturgy and church administration often make more sense when they are examined in the light of our past history. The implication is that, the emerging varied religious phenomenal did not evolve from a vacuum but are definitely the products of their historical backgrounds. This will explain the phenomena differences among the Christianity introduced by the Mission Churches; the Classical Pentecostalism and that of African Independent Churches.

2. Church History serves as a Bridge between the Past and Present Church.

 

The facts about the past activities and experiences of the church including the lifestyles; preachings; teachings; miracles, doctrines and persecutions are the connecting nodes that clearly show the heritage through which one can better understand the present church.

3. Church History Can Save the Church from Error and Falsehood.

 

The seeds of most theological errors were sown either in ignorance of the scripture or in the complete negligence and detachment from history of the church. So then, next to the study of the Bible is the study of the history of the church. Christianity was founded by definite historical figure: Jesus Christ. Hence, the tenets, theology and practical life style that could be defined as orthodox are those that are traceable to the ‘Faith of our Fathers’. When church history is thrown to the mud, people believe and teach anything they like and are consequently prone to error and falsehood. It is not surprising that one of the standards used by the early church to identify heretics in the face of severe heretical sects that emerged and posed a serious threat to the infant church were apostolic tradition and succession. The term Apostolic Tradition here simply means an appeal to historical evidences and legacies of the Apostles.

4. Church History Inspires

The knowledge of the legacies left behind by our spiritual ancestors often times motivate the younger generations for a greater height. Just as everyone wants to know and take pride in associating with his genealogy, so do the Christian in the awareness of his spiritual ancestors. In addition, church history will help to create hope in the Christians and in the church that is passing through persecutions, even in the face of martyrdom. The awareness of the boldness of Christian martyrs, motivation and inspirational testimonies of the great reformers, revivalists in all ages show that they had benefited from the history of heroes of faith. All through ages of Christianity, church history had provided the stabilizing influence in the face of secularism, persecution, heresies and moral decadence. As already noted church history is very essential in the process of reshaping or redefining our beliefs, doctrines, philosophy of life in the contextual framework of the activities of the saints of God, past and or present.

5. The Necessity of Church History for all Christian Workers Cannot be Over Stressed.

The history of the Christian faith is the most important and most intriguing study that any Christian can undertake next to study of the Holy Scripture. There is something within every normal Christian wanting to know the simple facts of their origin. People generally (be it individuals, groups of people; communities, nations and even churches), are deeply concerned and mindful of their past. The awareness of the history of the church has inherent practical values for every Christian worker. The knowledge of the historical development of Christian doctrines: Trinity, Christology, Sin, and God’s plan of salvation for man in the various Post-Apostolic Councils of the church is essential pathway for the appreciation of Christian orthodoxy.

Thus, church history promotes cultural heritage. The history of western civilization is incomplete and unintelligible without some understanding of the role of Christian religion in time and place. Especially as Earle E. Cairns thinks that the history of a man can never be divorced from the history of his religious life.

6. Church History is a Liberating force.

Ignorance of Christian history oftentimes makes people vulnerable to seditions, appeals of false teachers; false prophets and all forms of heretical groups. Adequate knowledge of the history of the church, gives one a solid foundation for defence of one’s faith and theological conviction. Church history provides a broad context for one’s involvement in ministry.

 

THE VALUE OF CHURCH HISTORY:

1.      Church history links the past factual data of the Christian gospel with the future proclamation and application of that gospel in a present synthesis that creates understanding of our great heritage and inspiration for its further proclamation and application.

2.      Church History is an Aid to Understanding the Present. Why are there so many different groups of believers? Why are there so many different liturgical practices? What developed and survived as doctrine?

3.      Church History as a Guide. The present is often the product of the past and the seed of the future. 1 Cor 10:6,11; Rom 15:4 One can come to see old heresies in their new guise.

4.      Church History as a Motivating Force. It edifies, inspires, and stimulates a higher spiritual life. It is as important to know one's spiritual ancestry so as to become a better heavenly citizen as it is to know the history of one's land to become a better earthly citizen. This leads to a greater appreciation of one's place and role within the Body of Christ.

5.      Church History as a Practical Tool: A student of the Word will have a greater appreciation of Basic Doctrines as he sees their historical development throughout church history. The church at sometime in its history has probably served to illustrate every biblical point.

6.      Church History as a Stabilizing Force: Man's history will never be complete without including in it his beliefs. Tyrants throughout history have tried to remove the beliefs of the church to install a false religion.