Why
Should I Be Interested in Church History by Joel R. Beeke and
Michael A. G. Haykin is part of the “Cultivating Biblical Godliness” series.
The
authors introduce the topic saying, “Generally speaking, men and women in the
West today rarely think of consulting history for wisdom, direction, or
encouragement” (1).
Biblically,
this is the wrong attitude to have as God commands “Remember the days of old,
consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee;
thy elders, and they will tell thee” (Deuteronomy 32:7, KJV) (3).
History,
the authors explain, is the viewing of God’s work of salvation in time. History
helps us to avoid the errors of the past (11). History shows us the value of
peoples and traditions other than our own (14). “A Christian view of history helps
us see our present moment in the light of creation, redemption, and the completion
of God’s saving purposes”
(18).
History
shows us the value of other traditions (20), “offers models for imitation” (21),
and “stirs up praise to God” because history rests upon Christ (25).
The
authors go on to look at applications of Church History noting that our hope
and the purpose of history is only found in God’s Word (30-31).
Finally,
the authors go on to recommend a number of books to start with in the areas of overview
of history, short biographies, visits to historical buildings and monuments,
and primary sources to read (31).
The
authors’ arguments and reasons are sound – nothing makes any sense outside of
the Word of God – and through the Word of God, the study of Church history –
and history more generally – will help the reader to understand what God has
done and is doing and how to best live out the Scripture in history today. The
recommendations at the end of the book are especially useful – I have read several
of them.
You
should be interested in Church history.
[This
review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com].
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