hristianity just isn't one of those relevant faiths. Neither is it contemporary or modern. Whatever else Christianity lays claim to, it is supremely an historical faith. Its things of "first importance", as Paul calls the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, include those irritating details known as people, places, and dates. Though other more modern and progressive faiths may be rooted in grand theories of social progress, "mere Christianity" is rooted in a certain Jesus of Nazareth, who was born, died, buried, and risen in first-century Palestine. To be a Christian at all requires some minimal familiarity with historical data. So far so good, you say.
However, all too many of us seem to share Henry Ford's judgment, "History is bunk." We might not say it quite like that, but we essentially agree that the histories of nations, church denominations, ideas, and peoples are fine preoccupations or hobbies for the independently wealthy or just plain idle, but are not sufficiently interesting for the real-world Christian. And besides, who is going to argue with success? Henry Ford didn't need a knowledge of history. So there!
Before I answer this argument let's clarify the real question, which goes something like this: "If the history of, say, the English Reformation is of such benefit and significance for me, a twentieth-century American Christian, why do I sense no real motivation to acquire a knowledge of this thing? If I can serve in the church, pass the CPA exam, and get a driver's license without knowing why Queen Elizabeth II is head of the Church of England, why does it matter, really?"
Honestly, there are several replies to your question, some of which may surprise you.
My first reply goes right to a fundamental issue for any Christian. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment" (Matthew 22:37-38). So spoke the Master. Can you say, in the presence of God and all the saints who have gone on before you, that the record of their lives and deeds has no value in assisting you in your obedience? Are there no examples among them to be followed, or sins and errors to be avoided?
A second, and not very flattering explanation for your lack of interest is that there is too much of Henry Ford in your ambitions and worldview. Mr. Ford was in many ways a smart man, and certainly a rich one, but with regard to eternal things, he was very foolish and not to be imitated.
A third answer to your question is that you may not know what you are talking about. Please don't take offense. What I mean is that you've never really tasted Christ-centered history. Out of the good, bad, and ugly historians who populate history faculties and write textbooks, maybe you always got the bad and ugly ones. Well, it's a possibility anyway.
If you are still unconvinced, here is my final answer. You say that you have no use for things historical. Frankly, I don't believe you. Let me tell you why. First, you love the Scriptures don't you? You hunger and thirst for a holy life, a holy church, and a holy nation. Well, there are many places in the Old and New Testaments which require God's people to give careful consideration to biblical history (see for example, Exodus 13:8-16, Deuteronomy 6:10-25, Luke 17:32, I Corinthians 10:1-13, Hebrews 11). You know, this is the period that stretches from the creation of the world to the closing verse of Acts 28. We are cajoled, exhorted, and commanded to view human history as it is presented to us in the Scriptures, and to make sure that our children are trained in that view. So, you have no choice in the matter of mastery of sacred or biblical history, your maturity and the maturity of your offspring depend on it.
Another reason for not accepting your denial is more personal. Let me use an example. Remember when, after getting to know someone at college or work, you went home with them to meet their parents, siblings, and relatives? Remember how the experience of seeing them at home explained so many of their mannerisms, strengths, weaknesses, and idiosyncrisies? Remember how much better equipped you were to serve them, learn from them, and forbear with them?
Before your visit you only knew something of the present state of your friend. After the visit you understood much about why he was the way he was, and you were able to see many more things about him which were not visible before. If you could meet his more remote ancestors you would learn even more.
What is true of individuals is also true of families, churches, ideas, peoples, and nations. You cannot understand your family, denomination, doctrinal position, or country without knowing something of their ancestry, where they have come from, and the various influences which they have received.
Unfortunately, acquiring that sort of knowledge of your friend from college is a whole lot easier than doing it for the doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ. But it can be done, bad and ugly historians notwithstanding, and for your sake and your children's sake it must be done.
So for the believer pursuing maturity there is nourishment genuine food in a godly, Christ-centered grasp of history. Our purpose in the columns to follow is to persuade you of those blessings, warn you of temptations, point out some of the obstacles in your path, and aid you in your pursuit. Although there are pitfalls, the rewards for perseverance are great. Next month we consider aids and obstacles to the acquisition of a Christocentric grasp of history. May the Lord bless you in your study. Richly.
