humility
It became clear that things were not right. I could not walk straight, there was a tingling sensation in my hands and feet, and I had limited use of the muscles in my face. Multiple doctors but no answers. I remember sleeping on the couch, trying to get comfortable and telling God that I was ready for whatever He had to tell me. During all of this I shared my symptoms with my brother, who casually mentioned them to a member in our church. She was a doctor who formerly worked at a neurological hospital. She called him late on a Saturday night and woke him up to tell him she knew what I had and exactly what hospital to go to. Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on “Learning Humility through Church History” by Jason Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Seminary. To read other articles in this series, click here.
While not everyone called of God is able to attend college or seminary, I am thankful that colleges and seminaries exist and even now many are studying the work of God in the history of the churches for the first time. Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on “Learning Humility through Church History” by Jason Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Seminary. To read other articles in this series, click here.
The study of the history of Christianity encourages one humbly to stand for truth in a way that draws attention to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in Christ and not in one’s self (Col. 2:3). I once heard someone define “encourage” as the act of putting “courage in” someone else. Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on “Learning Humility through Church History” by Jason Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Seminary. To read other articles in this series, click here.
The study of the history of Christianity should drive the child of God to desire to serve the churches of God. The thread of continuity that runs throughout history is the work of God to preserve his church (Matt. 16:18). God’s plan is bigger than, although it certainly involves, individualized ministries. Our Lord has designated his churches as the vehicles to carry out the Great Commission. The barometer of faithfulness in Christian ministry is judged not by what one may bring as an individual to the work of the kingdom, but rather what one contributes as a servant in the churches of the kingdom. Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on “Learning Humility through Church History” by Jason Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Seminary. To read other articles in this series, click here.
The study of the history of Christianity eliminates naiveté and surprise at the actions of humanity. The regular encounter with the proceedings of men and women in the past allows one to see that there truly is nothing new under the sun (Eccl. 1:9). As a result, the student is warned that not only do all heroes have faults and sin, but also that those same faults and propensity to sin resides within the one seeing and learning. Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a preaching series from Southwestern Dean of Theology David Allen. To view the series, click here.
We all know preachers who are too big for their britches. You know the type. In the extreme, this is the guy who can strut sitting down. He exudes arrogance, either in the pulpit, outside the pulpit, or both. Probably for most preachers, however, our pride is not that extreme, but it is pride nonetheless. It is difficult to remain humble when you are constantly told by church members at the end of most Sundays’ sermon something like: “Pastor, you are my favorite preacher of all time.” “Pastor, you are the next Billy Graham.” “I’ve never heard preaching like that before!” “Pastor, that was a great sermon.” Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on “Learning Humility through Church History” by Jason Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Seminary. To read other articles in this series, click here.
The study of the history of Christianity gives proper perspective to the relative significance of one’s trials. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said in his sermon on Psalm 73 that the study of church history helps us “begin to understand that some of the greatest saints that have ever adorned the life of the Church have experienced trials and troubles and tribulations which cause our little problem[s] to pale into insignificance.” When one reads of the injustices and persecutions faced by the Free-church believers in early seventeenth-century London, somehow the anxieties of life brought on by the complexities of what Neil Postman called the “all-instant society” do not seem as distressing. Seeing one’s burdens against the backdrop of what others have endured can only help bring humility. Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on “Learning Humility through Church History” by Jason Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Seminary. To read other articles in this series, click here.
The study of the history of Christianity gives proper perspective to one’s place in history. In 12th century England, John of Salisbury spoke of a man who understood well his place in history. He said that this man, “used to say that we are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size.” In the same way, the study of church history teaches us that we are merely standing on the shoulders of the giants of the faith that preceded us. Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on “Learning Humility through Church History” by Jason Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Seminary. To read other articles in this series, click here.
The study of the history of Christianity forces a confession of ignorance. Just as Martin Luther quipped to Desiderius Erasmus, “Your thoughts of God are all too human,” the student of the history of Christianity soon realizes that there is a similar humanness to our thinking with regard to God’s work in history. We know little and, sadly, too often care little about that which could change much of what we believe and much of how we live. Read More »
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series on “Learning Humility through Church History” by Jason Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Seminary. To read other articles in this series, click here.
The study of the history of Christianity requires one to reject self-reliance. As one seminary professor recently noted, John Broadus described the study of Christian history as “a subject so vast, and demanding boundless reading.” A student’s pride is weakened when he realizes at the outset of class that in a lifetime of study, much less a semester, he cannot comprehend all that has transpired in the churches since the conclusion of the New Testament. Therefore, a good church history professor will make every effort to “demand boundless reading” to serve this reminder to students and the students will grow in humility as a result. Read More »
