Why Church History Matters - by Robert F Rea (Paperback)

About the Book

Does it matter how Christians in other times and places thought? For many contemporary Christians, questions about the role and value of church history can be difficult to tackle. Veteran teacher Bob Rea addresses these barriers, skillfully explaining not only why church history matters, but the difference it makes for life and ministry.

Book Synopsis

Does it matter how Christians in other times and places thought?If the Bible alone is God's revelation, why spend time studying church history?Aren't history and tradition more of a problem than a solution?For many Christians who believe the Bible is the ultimate authority for faith and life, questions about the role and value of the church's traditions can be difficult to tackle. But let's be honest: even those of us who admit that church history is important are often too intimidated or busy to delve into it deeply. And for students, it is sometimes difficult to see how church history matters in practical ways for future vocations inside and outside the contemporary church.In this wide-ranging book, veteran teacher Bob Rea tackles these barriers to understanding and embracing the significance of the faith and practice of our spiritual forefathers. In three parts he covers how Christians understand church tradition, why it is beneficial to broaden our horizons of community and how tradition helps us understand ministry. Rea not only skillfully explains why church history matters--he shows why it should matter to us.

Review Quotes

"A thoughtful introduction to the use of the history of Christianity within our Christian lives and Christian communities. Rea deserves our thanks for a thoughtful and useful book."

--Mark Granquist, World World, 37/1, Winter 2017

"I agree wholeheartedly with Rea: we need church history, and we can use it while affirming our commitment to Scripture. . . . I welcome that call, and I echo many of his explanations for how church history helps and how neglect of it impoverishes our churches. This book is a useful starting point for the pastor and layperson who want to know and discuss why church history matters."

--Matt Shrader, Baptist Bulletin, November/December 2015

"Rea explores how the church has understood its tradition throughout history and how it's understood today. He explains why the study of Christian history is essential to forming personal and corporate identity, experiencing broad Christian community, providing contemporary accountability and bringing theological balance by expanding horizons and filling theological gaps. He identifies specific ways church history can help in the study of the Bible and in other ministry areas. . . . Recommend Why Church History Matters especially to pastors and seminary and Bible college students."

--Daniel Johnson, CBA Retailers + Resources, July 2014

"Rea is to be commended for making a cogent argument for the importance of historical theology to an audience that typically neglects it."

--Jeremy Sabella, Catholic Historical Review, Winter 2016

"Rea provides an accessible and compelling case for why and how the study of church history can actually serve the faith of Bible-focused Christians. Therefore, it would serve as an excellent textbook in a Christian college or seminary class, when many students are only beginning to taste the riches our historic faith has to offer."

--Shane Shaddix, Themelios, April 2015, 40:1

"This is a helpful volume that belongs in religious library collections. It is a perceptive treatment that convincingly argues about the significance of Christian history."

--Michael W. Campbell, Journal of Asia Adventist Seminary, 16.2 (2013)

About the Author

Robert F. Rea (PhD, St. Louis University) is professor of church history at Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, Illinois.