Why Study Church History? 5 Reasons Every Christian Should Know Their Heritage
By Dr. Scott Manor, President of Knox Theological Seminary
Why should anyone care about church history?
In many seminaries, history courses are often viewed as a "hazing exercise," a rite of passage designed primarily to keep ministerial candidates from bombing their ordination exams. And, for many Protestants, there is a massive "yada-yada" gap: we know the book of Acts, and we know Martin Luther, but the 1,500 years in between feel like a dark, dusty mystery.
I used to think this way too. My perspective only shifted when I found myself having to translate second-century Greek fragments from Irenaeus’ Against Heresies. Suddenly, history came alive. I realized that the importance of church history isn't about memorizing names,dates; it's about understanding the family story of the people of God.
Here are five reasons why church history for Christians is not just an academic requirement, but a spiritual necessity.
1. It Helps Us Avoid Theological "Re-inventing the Wheel"
One of the greatest benefits of studying our Christian heritage is protection against ancient errors. Take Marcion, a second-century figure who tried to "unhitch" the New Testament from the Old Testament. He thought the God of the OT was too "wrathful" compared to Jesus.
By studying how the early church answered Marcion, we are better equipped to handle similar modern arguments. At Knox, our Master of Arts (Biblical & Theological Studies) emphasizes this connection, ensuring students don't just know what they believe, but why the church has held these truths for millennia.
2. Church History is Surprisingly... Interesting
If you think history is dry, you haven't met the "firstborn of Satan." That’s what Polycarp called a fellow "teacher" he disagreed with while running out of a public bathhouse!
From Romans accusing early Christians of cannibalism (misunderstanding the Lord's Supper) to fourth-century fathers manufacturing "heresies" to settle personal grudges, the history of the church is a gripping, human drama. Digging into these stories makes our faith feel grounded in the real world, not just in abstract ideas.
3. It Provides a Reason for Optimism in Hard Times
When we look at the importance of church history, we see a record of resilience. Consider Blandina, a young woman who endured horrific torture for her faith in a culture that didn't understand her.
As Tertullian famously said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." When we study history, we realize that the church has survived cultural hostility before—and thrived. This perspective is vital for anyone in our Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program preparing to lead a congregation in a secular age.
4. It’s the Continued Story of God’s Sovereignty
Church history is the "Volume 2" of God working through His people. Just like the characters in Scripture, the figures of history were often "knuckleheads." They made mistakes, they had tempers, and they were broken.
Yet, God’s sovereignty shines brightest through sinful people. Seeing God's unrelenting faithfulness to a flawed church for 2,000 years gives us immense confidence that He will be faithful to His church today.
5. We Learn from Others Who Wanted to Know Jesus Better
The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" The answer: "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever." We can do this more effectively by studying how our ancestors did it. What did they get right? Where did they stumble? Their stories allow us to offer deeper praise to our King. This "Great Conversation" with the past is at the heart of our MA in Christian and Classical Studies, where we invite students to sit at the feet of the giants of the faith.
Start Exploring Your Heritage Today
If you want to deepen your faith, see the character of God more clearly, and lead with historical wisdom, church history is for you.
Ready to go deeper?
