Wisdom from the Past: Why We Should Study Church History
Dr. William VanDoodewaard
Why should Christians — and especially pastors-in-training — study church history? While it might seem like a pleasant “extra” for those who are interested, God gives us church history as a gift. Scripture narrates church history to us, from the beginnings of creation and the gospel promise (Genesis 3:15) to Christ’s incarnation and work of atonement, through the establishment of the early church. The church is God’s new creation, continuing to unfold in this present age. Church history is the record of our Lord’s redemptive work in our fallen, rebel world, which is why knowing it brings blessing.
Studying church history in the light of God’s Word enables us to grow in balance. As we see believers before us face deep trials and disappointments, gain victories, and rejoice in gospel advances, we are reminded of the steadfast love of the Lord, and we are called to run looking to Jesus as they did (Hebrews 11:1–12:2). We’re also reminded of our God’s holiness and just judgments (Isaiah 29; John 15:6; Revelation 6). These judgments give us a biblical fear, but they also assure us that wickedness will not have the final word, or even the final influence in this world.
Studying church history reminds us that our own sufferings are not unique, but they are shared by our brothers and sisters throughout the world, past and present (1 Peter 5:9). As we see the sins and bitter failures of Christians who have gone before us, we are called to humility, self-examination, and repentance for our own sins (Psalm 139:23–24), as well as care to avoid repeating others’ errors.
Studying church history gives us perspective. Seeing the Lord’s work in and through those who have gone before us reminds us not to despise the days of small things (Zechariah 4:10). The Lord has brought reformation and revival from obscure beginnings.
At the same time, church history teaches us to pray for and pursue great things for God’s glory (Joshua 14:12–13) and the good of our neighbors, including our enemies (Jonah 4:11). As we see God’s mighty works in the past, we know that He can and will continue to do great things for His church.
Psalm 48 calls God’s people to “walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever” (48:12–14, ESV). For the Old Testament believer, the call was to go for a walk through and around the city of Jerusalem, with eyes opened anew to the reality that the entire city stood as a visible display of the goodness, mercy, and provision of the Lord: “within her citadels God has made Himself known as a fortress” (48:3). Their hearts were filled with wonder, joy, and worship as they looked and considered the greatness of the LORD. The same principle applies to us in the New Testament era. By His Word we are enabled to walk about the Zion of the Old Testament, and the Zion, the church, of the New. This includes “walking about” the church in history. As we do so, with our eyes are freshly opened to see the Lord’s steadfast love, we can “tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever” (Psalm 48:14).
Dr. VanDoodewaard (PhD, University of Aberdeen) currently serves as Professor of Church History at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He was recently appointed as the Professor of Church History and Academic Dean at Greenville Seminary, beginning fall 2022. Ω
