Seeing God's Heart
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When you hear the words "Christian" and "history" in the same sentence, associations immediately spring up in your mind.
Depending on your background and previous experiences you may have a positive or negative impression. That is exactly why we want provide some definition as to what we mean when we say a "Christian Analysis of History".
First of all, do the words "Christian" and "history" belong in the same sentence?
The Bible clearly places itself in the category of a historical document. It provides historical details which inescapably intertwine its stories with the events of "secular" history. Moreover, the Bible indicates that God's work in history did not stop with the recorded events of the New Testament. There is a deep connection between the affairs of men and the purposes of God—which continues to the present. Therefore, there is a clear connection between Christian faith and history.
The question is, how do we go about uncovering that connection? The answer is, building up to three levels of Christian history. We see "Christian" history in terms of three different levels. Each level builds upon the other and each takes us to a different dimension of understanding God's work in history.
- Perhaps you think Christian history means the history of the Bible and the church.
- Or perhaps you think it means telling history from the perspective of Christians.
- You may think it implies a bias towards Christians and an attempt to glorify the church's role in history.
- Or perhaps you have no idea of what is really meant by the term "Christian history".
Depending on your background and previous experiences you may have a positive or negative impression. That is exactly why we want provide some definition as to what we mean when we say a "Christian Analysis of History".
First of all, do the words "Christian" and "history" belong in the same sentence?
The Bible clearly places itself in the category of a historical document. It provides historical details which inescapably intertwine its stories with the events of "secular" history. Moreover, the Bible indicates that God's work in history did not stop with the recorded events of the New Testament. There is a deep connection between the affairs of men and the purposes of God—which continues to the present. Therefore, there is a clear connection between Christian faith and history.
The question is, how do we go about uncovering that connection? The answer is, building up to three levels of Christian history. We see "Christian" history in terms of three different levels. Each level builds upon the other and each takes us to a different dimension of understanding God's work in history.
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The first step is interweaving secular and sacred events.
Have you ever wondered what impact the Exodus had on the Egyptians? What happened the night of Belshazzar’s feast? Who was King Cyrus, whom God specifically names in the book of Isaiah? These questions and others point us to the reality that Biblical stories took place within the pages of real history. Putting Bible stories within their historical context makes them come alive! It is one of the most exciting parts of uncovering the connection between the Bible and history!
Continuing on through history, the events of the historic church are interwoven with secular events. Setting the development of the church in the context of history will enable you to see the impact of the historical church on the surrounding culture and vice versa. As you see the spread of the gospel—-the growth of missions, the controversies and divisions, the great revivals, and more—in light of contemporary events in history, you will finally be able to connect the dots and get a glimpse of the bigger picture of God's work in the world.
This level of history will help you and your children answer such questions as:
Have you ever wondered what impact the Exodus had on the Egyptians? What happened the night of Belshazzar’s feast? Who was King Cyrus, whom God specifically names in the book of Isaiah? These questions and others point us to the reality that Biblical stories took place within the pages of real history. Putting Bible stories within their historical context makes them come alive! It is one of the most exciting parts of uncovering the connection between the Bible and history!
Continuing on through history, the events of the historic church are interwoven with secular events. Setting the development of the church in the context of history will enable you to see the impact of the historical church on the surrounding culture and vice versa. As you see the spread of the gospel—-the growth of missions, the controversies and divisions, the great revivals, and more—in light of contemporary events in history, you will finally be able to connect the dots and get a glimpse of the bigger picture of God's work in the world.
This level of history will help you and your children answer such questions as:
- How do Bible stories like those of Joseph, Daniel, and Esther fit into the pages of history?
- How did the developments of the Greek and Roman empires pave the way for the spread of the gospel?
- What impact did the early church have on western civilization?
- What is the significance of the missionary movements and revivals which are often overlooked in secular history?
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The second level of Christian history seeks to discover the impact that ideas have on people and events.
Have you ever paused to consider how our view of the Bible influences the way we see government, justice, social development, art, music, education, etc? What we believe impacts everything we do. That holds true for every religion, philosophy, and culture.
Tracing ideas through history allows us to examine their impact on people and events, discovering that "ideas have consequences." For example, when we consider the French Revolution, it is important to understand how the powerful ideas being discussed in French cafes deeply influenced the events which followed. And, just as the Bereans, we seek to evaluate these ideas in light of the Scriptures. In essence, we use the grid of a Biblical worldview to analyze changing and developing philosophies and beliefs in history.
This level of history will help you and your children learn to ask such questions as:
Have you ever paused to consider how our view of the Bible influences the way we see government, justice, social development, art, music, education, etc? What we believe impacts everything we do. That holds true for every religion, philosophy, and culture.
Tracing ideas through history allows us to examine their impact on people and events, discovering that "ideas have consequences." For example, when we consider the French Revolution, it is important to understand how the powerful ideas being discussed in French cafes deeply influenced the events which followed. And, just as the Bereans, we seek to evaluate these ideas in light of the Scriptures. In essence, we use the grid of a Biblical worldview to analyze changing and developing philosophies and beliefs in history.
This level of history will help you and your children learn to ask such questions as:
- What philosophies or ideas lay behind this historical event?
- Does this particular event, though it is labeled "Christian," truly reflect a Biblical worldview?
- How have secular ideas impacted the Church?
- How have Biblical ideas impacted the surrounding culture?
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The third and final level of Christian history looks for God's faithfulness to all peoples throughout the ages.
This level of history moves beyond the scope of man's influence and impact. God has a purpose that is greater than the plans of man. And ultimately it is HIS story!
Therefore, this level of Christian history seeks out the evidences of God's heart—revealed in revivals, missions, and mercy ministries—and how that has affected the world.
For example, when we see the incredible timing of the powerful Pyongyang revival of 1907 in Korea, and realize that it occurred within the brief window of peace between the Russo-Japanese War and the Japanese occupation of Korea (which lasted thirty-five years), we begin to glimpse a measure of God's faithfulness, compassion, wisdom, and grace.
This is the most amazing and profound level of Christian history.
A glimpse of God's heart for the world is one of the most life changing things you will ever encounter.
This level of history will help you and your children to consider such questions as:
This level of history moves beyond the scope of man's influence and impact. God has a purpose that is greater than the plans of man. And ultimately it is HIS story!
Therefore, this level of Christian history seeks out the evidences of God's heart—revealed in revivals, missions, and mercy ministries—and how that has affected the world.
For example, when we see the incredible timing of the powerful Pyongyang revival of 1907 in Korea, and realize that it occurred within the brief window of peace between the Russo-Japanese War and the Japanese occupation of Korea (which lasted thirty-five years), we begin to glimpse a measure of God's faithfulness, compassion, wisdom, and grace.
This is the most amazing and profound level of Christian history.
A glimpse of God's heart for the world is one of the most life changing things you will ever encounter.
This level of history will help you and your children to consider such questions as:
- Where, even in the darkest moments of history, do we see God?
- How was God preparing His church through these events?
- How did God use this event for the spread of the gospel?
- How did God demonstrate His faithfulness in this area of history?
- How does this glimpse of God's character affect my life?
Connecting Chronology provides:
Tracing Ideas provides:
Seeing God's Heart provides:
Sadly, often what is meant by "Christian" history is simply one of these approaches: looking at secular and sacred events side by side, or, simply interpreting events through a Biblical Worldview grid.
However, if we stop on either of those two levels we miss the most glorious and truly God exalting view of history. In fact,we fail to see HIS story. We see the church's story, or man's story, but we don't really see God's story unless we look for His heart in history. And that's what we believe a Christian Analysis of History is all about … seeing the full perspective of God's work in the world through the use of all three of these levels.
We invite you to join us for this truly life changing adventure…come catch a glimpse of HIStory!
- an amazingly deeper appreciation of the history in the Bible
- an interweaving of secular and sacred events in a way that makes the Bible come alive
Tracing Ideas provides:
- an ability to analyze how ideas do have consequences
- an opportunity to see the impact that Christianity has made on Western Civilization
Seeing God's Heart provides:
- A chance to see God's character, His faithfulness, love, and mercy displayed in the pages of history
- The opportunity to apply what we learn in our own life
Sadly, often what is meant by "Christian" history is simply one of these approaches: looking at secular and sacred events side by side, or, simply interpreting events through a Biblical Worldview grid.
However, if we stop on either of those two levels we miss the most glorious and truly God exalting view of history. In fact,we fail to see HIS story. We see the church's story, or man's story, but we don't really see God's story unless we look for His heart in history. And that's what we believe a Christian Analysis of History is all about … seeing the full perspective of God's work in the world through the use of all three of these levels.
We invite you to join us for this truly life changing adventure…come catch a glimpse of HIStory!
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