5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

Just three years before Anne Bradstreet's death, this weary Puritan penned verses describing a longing for eternity and escape from the cares of this world. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols reads from his wife's book on Bradstreet, America's first published poet. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/a-puritan-poet/ A donor-supported outrea...

Jerome of Prague, like the Reformers who would come a century later, believed that the teachings of the Bible should be directly studied and obeyed by every Christian. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols looks at this 15th-century martyr. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/jerome-of-prague/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries....

Does Jesus have one will since He is one person? Or does He have two wills because He is truly God and truly man? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes an ancient heresy that was a challenge to Christ's humanity. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/monothelitism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www....

C.H. Spurgeon once said of a man, ";He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his very soul is full of the Word of God." On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols looks at this man whose "blood is bibline." Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/bibline/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory....

During World War II, C.S. Lewis addressed the student body at Oxford University to answer the question, "Should we learn in wartime?" On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols looks at how learning in the midst of crisis can be a way to remind us of the divine reality of heaven. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/lewis-on-learning-in-war-time/ A...

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, one non-conformist, exiled Puritan drew up an important Reformation text, instructing ministers to lead their congregation through the entire Word of God. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols explores the history of Thomas Cartwright and his Middleburg Liturgy. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/middlebur...

Unlike the Great Awakening of the 18th century, the revivalist preaching of the so-called "Second Great Awakening" left many people disillusioned with Christianity. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us to a region in New York that still bears scars from the 19th century. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/burned-over-district/ A don...

Nearly fifty years ago, R.C. Sproul penned The Symbol, expositing phrases from the Apostles' Creed to articulate truths about our holy God and His work in our lives. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols surveys the purpose, contents, and even humor embedded in Dr. Sproul's first published book. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-symbol/...

Founder of a newspaper, a radio program, and several Christian organizations, Carl McIntire was incredibly influential in the 20th-century fundamentalist movement. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells the story of this colorful figure. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-christian-admiral/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Mini...

If we study the Bible without ever considering the collective wisdom of Christians who came before us, we are impoverishing ourselves of a wealth of insight. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines J. Gresham Machen's thoughts on reading Scripture in light of church history. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/collective-wisdom/ A donor...

Although the seminary at Finkenwalde was shut down by the Nazis in 1937, Dietrich Bonhoeffer continued to work and write in order to help Christians understand the life and ministry of the church in this world. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols analyzes Bonhoeffer's classic book Life Together. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/life-toget...

After the national church in Germany endorsed the Nazi party, Dietrich Bonhoeffer began an underground seminary to train ministers to defend the truth of God's Word. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes the challenges that this small school faced under Nazi suppression. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/an-underground-seminary/ A...

As his body grew frail and the great city of Rome burned, Augustine laid his hope in "the city that has foundations" (Heb. 11:10). On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines Augustine's written masterpiece The City of God. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-kingdom-without-end/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries....

Augustine fervently defended the truth of God's grace against distortions. In fact, his whole life was a testimony to the triumph of grace. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols considers Augustine's famous controversy with Pelagius. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-the-triumph-of-grace/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Mini...

As a bishop, Augustine counseled people from all walks of life, including the Roman general Boniface. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols considers how their correspondence gives us great insight into the way Augustine cared for souls. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-the-bishop-and-the-general/ A donor-supported outreach of Lig...

Augustine was installed as bishop of Hippo Regius when he was 41 years old, and he held this position until his dying day. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols offers a glimpse into what comprised Augustine's service and ministry. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-bishop/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate:...

Augustine had published books before his conversion. But in AD 386, he began a whole new writing career. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines several of these early, influential works. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-teacher/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory....

At first, Augustine had no real interest in Christianity. Then he heard the preaching of Ambrose. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines how the Lord brought about the conversion of this influential figure. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-a-garden-in-milan/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https:...

Augustine the brilliant student went on to become Augustine the teacher, and his fame was on the rise. But something was missing. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols reveals what Augustine was searching for that ultimately led him to Rome. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-voyage-to-rome/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Mi...

Where did the famous church father Augustine come from? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols paints a picture of Augustine's early life in the North African village of Thagaste. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-africa/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

The writings of Augustine overflow with God's grace and power in the lives of His people. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols begins to closely examine the life of Augustine of Hippo. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustine-why/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

King James I was opposed to religious dissenters, fearing they would divide the Church of England. Consequently, the Puritans advocated for a total, 3,000-mile separation. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes the tumultuous journey of the Mayflower from England to the New World. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/mayflower-400/ A d...

On Christmas Day AD 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols explains how this crucial moment directed the shape of Christian civilization for the next 700 years. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/christmas-800/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://ww...

A key witness of the First Great Awakening, Aaron Burr Sr. made a lasting impact on the American colonies in the 18th century. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols traces the life of this notable minister, author, educator, and Princeton University co-founder. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/aaron-burr-sr/ A donor-supported outreach of Li...

In his younger years, Jonathan Edwards objected to the sovereignty of God as a "horrible doctrine." On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols shows how that all changed at Edwards' conversion.