5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

The ministry of C.H. Spurgeon has much to teach the church today, not only in the West but also in Africa and around the world. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Conrad Mbewe joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to discuss the influence of Spurgeon's doctrinally rich preaching. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/spurgeon-in-africa/ A donor-supported outreach of Lig...

Jonathan Edwards was a prolific letter writer, and his surviving letters give a fascinating glimpse into life in colonial America. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols looks at the earliest letter we have from Edwards, written to his sister Mary when he was 12 years old. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/edwards-first-letter/ A donor-suppor...

The preaching of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones had an enormous impact on evangelical Christians in the 20th-century English-speaking world. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Derek Thomas joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to describe the influence Dr. Lloyd-Jones had on his life. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/a-most-intriguing-figure-with-derek-thomas/ A donor-suppo...

Soon after he was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne oversaw the completion of an impressive church at his royal residence. On this episode of 5 Minutes of Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols guides us through the Palatine Chapel, where emperors would be crowned for centuries to come. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/charlemagnes-chapel/ A donor-supported outre...

By God's grace, biblical preaching and theological book publishing are on the rise in the African continent. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Rev. Ken Mbugua joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to share why he is hopeful about the future of the church in Africa. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/church-history-makers-with-ken-mbugua/ A donor-supported outreach of Li...

God did not give us His Word so it would be known only by elite scholars. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Rev. Ken Mbugua joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to remember the foundational efforts made during the Reformation to translate the Bible into the languages of everyday people. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/a-most-intriguing-event-with-ken-mbugua/ A donor...

Good, gospel-saturated books help us better understand our own hearts, our relationships, and the life of the local church. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Rev. Ken Mbugua joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to discuss five books he would want with him on a deserted island. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/deserted-island-with-ken-mbugua/ A donor-supported outreac...

From his deathbed, John Knox told his wife Margaret, "Go where I cast my first anchor." She immediately opened her Bible to John 17. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols surveys the life and death of the great Scottish Reformer. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/my-first-anchor/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: htt...

When we recall the Christians who have suffered for translating God's Word into the language of ordinary people, we should cherish our Bibles all the more. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. John MacArthur joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to speak about the Reformation translator William Tyndale. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/a-most-intriguing-event-with-jo...

What five books would you take with you to a deserted island? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols is joined by Dr. John MacArthur as he reminds us of important books from the church's past and present. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/deserted-island-with-john-macarthur/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://w...

One hundred years before Martin Luther's time, Jan Hus began paving the road to church reformation. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols is joined by Dr. John MacArthur to discuss this often overlooked figure from church history. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/a-most-intriguing-figure-with-john-macarthur/ A donor-supported outreach of Li...

The final volume of Right Now Counts Forever features several themes that were central to Dr. R.C. Sproul's life and enduring legacy. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols concludes his study of books we should bring to the beach. Throughout the month of August 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of Right Now Counts Forever, a 4-volume book collection containing mo...

From Edgar Allen Poe to John Bunyan, the written word has been a powerful tool used to chisel the forms of our civilization. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols offers us a glimpse into R.C. Sproul's thoughts on art and literature from the third volume of Right Now Counts Forever. Throughout the month of August 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of Right Now Cou...

What is the "big idea" of the Christian life? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols explores several of Dr. R.C. Sproul's columns from the second volume of the new Right Now Counts Forever collection. Throughout the month of August 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of Right Now Counts Forever, a 4-volume book collection containing more than 40 years of R.C. Sprou...

Through the years, Dr. R.C. Sproul helped us give careful thought to topics ranging from the birth of Jesus to professional football. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols canvasses the first volume of Right Now Counts Forever, a collection of 40 years of theological reflection from Dr. Sproul. Throughout the month of August 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of R...

As Dr. R.C. Sproul said, "What we do today counts forever." On this special episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols is joined by Chris Larson to celebrate Ligonier's 50th anniversary and discuss Right Now Counts Forever, a new landmark resource featuring 40 years of Dr. Sproul's trusted teaching. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/rc-at-the-beach-right...

As we were once dead in our trespasses and sin, we needed to be brought from death to life. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols shows how this truth is outlined in John Owen's book The Holy Spirit. Throughout the month of July 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of the Treasures of John Owen Box Set, a 5-volume book collection that contains some of John Owen's mo...

At the end of his life, John Owen penned his final book, The Glory of Christ. What were the last words this towering figure of the faith wanted to tell us? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols explores Owen's writings on one of the greatest privileges we have as believers, both in this world and for eternity. Throughout the month of July 2021, you can enter to win a...

Why should we mortify, or "put to death," our sin? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols highlights John Owen's book on the new birth and our three-front battle against sin. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/mortification-of-sin-at-the-beach/ Throughout the month of July 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of the Puritan Classics Box Set,...

At John Owen's funeral, it was said that "the great burden of his life was to see people grow in holiness." On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols speaks with Dr. Sinclair Ferguson on this 17th-century theologian, a man of letters and a man of action. Throughout the month of July 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of the Treasures of John Owen Box Set, a 5-volume b...

Our God is a merciful God, extending His grace freely to poor, downcast sinners in need. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols discusses A Lifting Up for the Downcast by William Bridge. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/william-bridge-at-the-beach/ Throughout the month of June 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of the Puritan Classics Bo...

After he began preaching, Thomas Brooks wrote a book to remind us of the devices of Satan--and the "precious remedies" God has given us to combat them. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes a look at the next Puritan book we should bring to the beach. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/thomas-brooks-at-the-beach/ Throughout the month of...

In his book All Things for Good, Thomas Watson calls us to love and trust in the Lord whose ways are above our ways. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols looks at the final parts of Watson's book and the important doctrines they uncover. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/watson-again/ Throughout the month of June 2021, you can enter to win...

The Puritans were a people committed to the deep study of the Word of God. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces us to All Things for Good, Thomas Watson's meditation and application of Romans 8:28. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/thomas-watson-at-the-beach/ Throughout the month of June 2021, you can enter to win a free copy of...

Why read the Puritans--and why read them "again and again, as old friends"? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols speaks with Dr. Sinclair Ferguson on the richness and nourishment he gleans from the old Puritan writers. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/puritans-at-the-beach-with-sinclair-ferguson/ Throughout the month of June 2021, you can...