3 Reasons Why Every Christian Needs to Study Church History

Likewise, the story of Athanasius' steadfast faith amid the Arian controversy encourages us to defend the truth of Scripture. In this event, among many other examples in history, we gain further insight into what it looks like to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 1:3, NIV). If an ordinary man like Athanasius contended for faith in the power of God, even when doing so brought difficulties, then we can, too.  

Church history can be a source of encouragement as we seek to persevere in faithfulness to Christ.  

In our technological age, there are many ways to learn about the church’s history without paying for an education at a seminary or Bible college. However, that is still a great option for those passionate about the subject. Many websites and organizations offer church history videos or courses that are free or low-priced.  

Along with these videos, you can read the works of Christians from the past and books about specific times in church history. Many of these materials can be found through a local library or on a website like Christian Classics Ethereal Library.  

Consider a topic, time, or person you would like to learn more about. For instance, you could start studying the Puritans or choose a specific Puritan such as John Owen or Anne Bradstreet. These choices could lead to other materials, such as Bradstreet’s poems or a book of collected writings from the Puritans, such as The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett.   

In addition to books, collections of articles covering topics in church history exist on numerous websites. Christianity.com has an entire library of articles covering events from the early church to the modern day. You can start your studies by choosing a specific event or century that interests you the most. 

Finally, if you are interested in delving into church history more regularly in a print or digital format, subscribing to a magazine could be an appealing choice. A publication that I enjoy and find helpful is the Christian History magazine by the Christian History Institute. Each issue covers a topic centered around a specific theme, such as a person or historical period. You may be surprised at the people you will “meet” in its pages or the stories that will give you hope and insights about faith.     

By studying church history, we get a glimpse of how God worked in history to spread the gospel across the world and build His church. He has also worked in the lives of individual believers, who left us with legacies that compel us to go deeper in our walk with the Lord. We would not know of these events or people in the past if we did not study church history in its complex entirety.  

A rich tapestry of faith and Christian thought awaits the believer who is willing to view past events as part of a larger story – a story to which every Christian is connected. 

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Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site  Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.