The Church: More Than a Story

This week, Teddy James talks with Jeffrey Johnson, author and presenter of The Church. Jeffrey is a pastor at Grace Bible Church and the President of Grace Bible Theological Seminary. He lives in Conway, Arkansas, with his wife Letha and their four children.

What’s the importance of church history? 

If you read almost any theologian, you will read church history mixed into their theology. Even Paul said there need to be divisions, or controversies, among you. There will be heresies. But God will use what the devil intends for evil, for good. It’s error that helps us clarify truth.

Is there a lack of knowledge of church history?

Yes. Church history starts long before the founding of our individual churches. We don’t need to be church historians, but we should have a basic understanding of the history of the Christian church. 

What happens if we neglect church history? We will most likely repeat the same mistakes of the past. The issues we’re facing today are not new.

If we want to learn more about church history, where should we start?

The Church documentary is a good introduction. Dr Michael Haykin has some great resources on the church. If you’re looking to go even further, then read Philip Schaff’s History of the Christian Church (7 volumes).

When did the Catholic Church start?

The Catholic Church was not there from the beginning, but developed. Paul warned us of a counterfeit church. Irenaeus, the Bishop of Lyon, battled gnosticism. Irenaeus had some things right, but ultimately introduced false doctrines. Ideas have consequences.

We must live by Scripture alone and add nothing to the Word.

The documentary is not simply academic, but very devotional and applicational. One woman’s response to the film was earnest and tearful, “Thank God for the church.”

O Lord God Almighty, my God, my refuge, and my strength, incline my heart to seek You in the name of Jesus Christ, and hear my prayer for His sake.
It is one of my highest privileges, and of my greatest mercies, that Your ear is ever open to the prayer of those that call upon You.
O Lord, though I have sinned, I have an Advocate with You, Jesus Christ the Righteous, who is the propitiation for our sins.
O grant me faith in Him, that I may be justified freely by Your grace through His redemption, be accepted in that beloved Son and be a partaker of His Spirit. Amen.

—Isaac Watts, A Guide to Family Worship

 

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