Church history

I HAD the privilege recently to teach a part of Church history to a group of professional men. It was that exciting part of modern history, from the renaissance period in the 16th century down to the 17th and 18th centuries and all the way to the present.

            We talked about the division of Christendom, the reformation of Luther and others in Europe, the spread of Christianity in Africa, America and Asia, the Catholic reformation, royal absolutism vs. the papacy, the anti-Christian Enlightenment, liberalism, modernism, Vatican II, etc.

            It’s good to have the chance to review this subject, for history indeed is a very great teacher, a verified source of recorded information, and an illuminator of that very intriguing phenomenon of the abiding interaction between divine providence and human freedom.

            Especially these days, when we tend to get too near-sighted and narrow-minded in our view of things, especially civil and ecclesiastical affairs, Church history gives us a much better perspective as well as tools as to how to understand the unfolding of events and even to a certain extent how to shape the course of history.

            For history is not simply a study of the past. It is also vitally connected to the ongoing life of man that includes the present and the future, and in fact, also beyond time and space. This is a point worth considering more deeply, since our tendency is to be shallow and narrow in our attitude toward history.

            Obviously, we have to understand that Church history is written also by men with their limitations and imperfections. And so, even if great light is shed about the past, we should not forget that it could not cover everything about it.

            Even more, it certainly does not give the last word about the past. More things can be added, to enrich it, put more texture and significance into it, even to modify and correct what has already been written and considered as historical. History is a living science, let’s not forget that.

            The study of Church history somehow reminds us that the events in our life, from the most personal to the most global, have to be seen in their religious, theological dimension.

            That’s because history is not just a product of blind forces, and neither can it simply be the result of some social, economic or political factors alone. While it is always shaped by these factors, we should not forget that there is a spirit that is behind it.

            And it just cannot be some human, natural or world spirit, although these too leave their respective imprint. The spirit of God, his abiding providence, is the ultimate shaper of our history. This awareness will help us develop a certain sense of confidence and serenity as we go through the adventure of life that is full of suspense and surprises.

            Since we also are the ones who make history, we have to remember then that the proper way to shape history is when we try our best to correspond to the will of God. More than the external factors of history in the area of politics or economics, etc., what truly makes history is when we follow God’s will.

            It’s in our hearts first, before things manifest themselves outside, where our history is made. It’s where we flow with the providence of God whose laws and designs cannot be frustrated no matter how much we mess them up with our indifference or outright rebellion against God’s will.

            That’s why, more than some political, economic, social or cultural leaders, it is the saints and the simple souls, who follow God’s will, who are the true shapers and shakers of history.

            How important therefore that we try our best to know God’s designs, to have an intimate relationship with him, to be docile to him, and to be most eager to carry out God’s will! We all need to have this sense of history, and to make it as vibrant and operative as possible.

            This sense of history will give us the proper criteria and standards when judging and assessing events, including things of the Church that can include very ugly developments involving highly placed churchmen.

            It will help us how to move on, what direction to take, how to heal when wounds are inflicted on the Church by her children, etc. It will help us to see things—past, present and future—in their proper perspective or from the point of view of God and of eternity. It infuses hope in us. How wonderful Church history is!