Why is it important to do the work of writing
a church history? Have you asked yourself this question? Writing the history
of a church is not an easy task and you may often think that it is an
unappreciated effort as well. Perhaps your experience is like mine and
you meet people who say, "Oh, I didn't know you were interested in that
sort of thing." You can tell that their view of church history is one
of dusty papers filed away and never read.
I want to share a different view with you--one that hopefully will help
you to realize that the church historian has one of the most exciting
jobs available to anyone in the church. Our task is to make a record
of what God has done and is doing among His people. It is as simple
as that. Our God is not a passive God; He is at work in the life of each
one of His dear children, accomplishing His redeeming purpose. Everyone
who looks by faith to Christ for salvation has this promise, that God
will accomplish His work in that believer's life. The words of Romans
8:28 and Philippians 1:6 make this truth clear. And this work that God
is doing is worth noting.
Church history is that simple and potentially that personal. God is actively
and intimately involved in the lives of His people and this basic fact
holds true at every level: in the local church, in the denomination and
in the Church universal. He cares for His Church and His faithfulness
toward His people is expressed in His daily provision for them. We call
that continuing provision God's providence. We cannot and do not
determine God's will from His providence; it would be a mistake to try,
though we see many Christians making this mistake all the time. Rather,
God has revealed His will in the Holy Scriptures.
Still, God's providence does stand as a testimony of His covenant faithfulness
toward His people. Thus an awareness of God's providence has a place in
the life of the believer, as an appreciation of God's faithfulness, love,
and mercy. Thus there is also a very necessary place for the writing of
church history, in order that His people should not forget the work that
God has accomplished in each of their lives.
I am frequently amazed at how we can read and re-read the Bible and yet
continually discover fresh truths we had not seen before. A wonderful
exercise as you read through the Bible is to be alert to how often God
stresses the importance of remembering. The Bible abounds with passages
that reveal the importance that God places upon our remembering His many
works on our behalf. We see an example of this when Joshua is told to
construct a memorial after crossing the Jordan river (Joshua 4:1-24; note
esp. vs. 24). Time and time again we read in the Psalms of how God's works
are a constant reminder of His unfailing love, grace, and compassion (cf.
Ps. 65, 66, 89, 111). And in our celebration of the Lord's Supper, God
has made provision that we should remember His greatest work in the death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Communion of course is much, much more than a simple remembrance, but
our remembering is a definite part of that celebration. God instructs
us to remember His works, to reflect on them and to profit spiritually
by that reflection. Moreover, this work of remembering is not restricted
to what is recorded in Scripture, but extends to what God is doing today,
for the work that Christ accomplished on the cross is now unfolded day
by day in the lives of His people.
Again, a word of caution is due. The Bible alone is the Word of God and
we should never put anything on the same level with it. The Bible alone
is inspired and infallible, and it alone tells us the will of God. We
do not look to the record of Church history to determine God's will any
more than we look to circumstances. Still, there is a very proper place
for reflecting on the record of what God has done and is doing among His
people today.
God cares greatly for His Church and He daily makes provision for it in
the lives of His people. God's providence is exercised in special ways
toward His people. He answers prayers. He works in and orders the events
of our lives. He gifts His people for various ministries in order that
they might serve the Body of Christ to His glory. All of this means that
the things that God accomplishes among His people are things that are
worth remembering. And this is why church histories are so important.
His works are evidences of His faithfulness, mercy and purpose toward
His people. In remembering His works, we develop thankful hearts and we
are strengthened in knowing that He remains faithful, even when we are
not.
What Difference Does Remembering Make?