5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

History is being made in Central America as the Lord builds up His church in the biblical doctrines of the historic Christian faith. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Pastor Sugel Michelén joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to discuss the encouraging future of the Spanish-speaking church. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/equipping-the-spanish-speaking-church/ A don...

How should we contend for the truth claims of Christianity? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols continues his discussion of apologetic methods in the 20th century. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/20th-century-apologetics-presuppositions-and-evidence/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchh...

At the start of the 20th century, the church began to face new challenges to Christianity. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols explains several of the methods Christians used to defend their faith in a changing world. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/20th-century-apologetics-addressing-modernism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Min...

Though European colonies appeared throughout the New World in the 16th century, the Reformation did not take hold in Latin America for centuries. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Pastor Sugel Michelén joins Dr. Stephen Nichols again to consider how the Spanish Bible finally crossed the Atlantic. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/history-of-the-spanish-bibl...

Despite fearsome opposition during the Spanish Inquisition, Protestants worked diligently to translate God's Word for Spanish readers. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Pastor Sugel Michelén joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to outline the history of the Spanish Bible. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/history-of-the-spanish-bible-europe/ A donor-supported outreach...

In the 16th century, a German-made printing press was shipped across the sea to Iceland, and the first book printed on it was an Icelandic New Testament. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols explains how the Reformation reached this North Atlantic nation. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-icelandic-reformation/ A donor-supported outreac...

From the prophecies of the coming Christ to the day of judgment when He comes in glory, Handel's Messiah reflects on the promises and person of Jesus. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols offers a synopsis of what might be considered Handel's magnum opus. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/handel/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Minis...

Meet "Troublechurch" Browne, the man who was arrested for his views 32 times over the course of his ministry. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols surveys the life and work of this English separatist. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/troublechurch-browne/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchur...

Who was Martin Micronius, and why was he important? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols offers a brief synopsis of this sixteenth-century Dutch Reformer who was intent on carefully ministering the Word of God. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/martin-micronius/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutes...

From his beginnings in a remote English valley, Alexander of Hales went on to field theological questions for three straight days at the University of Paris. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols surveys the history of the medieval scholar who would become known as "The Irrefutable Teacher." Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/alexander-of-hal...

We are witnessing a rise of professing atheists and practical atheism in the 21st century. Where did all this unbelief come from? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols outlines the development of atheistic thinking in the modern world. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/history-of-atheism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Do...

In 1524, German peasants began a massive revolt against the lords and princes of the land, and the Roman Catholic Church blamed Martin Luther. How did he respond? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells the gripping story. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/luther-and-difficult-times/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Don...

In the first half the 20th century, no tent revival meeting was complete without an invitation to "hit the sawdust trail." On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols paints a vivid picture of this memorable era. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/sawdust/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistor...

What was the most important book of the 12th century? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols reveals his answer: a collection of annotations and commentaries that became the standard text in biblical studies for 600 years. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/glossa-ordinaria/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://ww...

What guides the direction of history? Fate? Random chance? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols evaluates how one Princetonian scholar went about answering this age-old question. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/what-governs-history/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Early in the 20th century, 1,200 Protestants gathered in Scotland to discuss the global need of evangelism and missions. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols probes into five important features of this 10-day conference. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/1910-edinburgh-missionary-conference/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries...

As he sought to bring back the glory days of the Roman Empire through conquest, lawmaking, and building projects, Justinian I was faced with the first pandemic of recorded history. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols looks into the life of an emperor who survived the bubonic plague. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-plague-of-justinian...

Augustine's beloved son, Adeodatus, died as a teenager. A year earlier, they worked together on a book. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines their insightful volume and the relationship Augustine shared with his son. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustines-teenage-coauthor/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Do...

Writing of God's redeeming grace, Christina Rossetti described herself as a "broken bowl" that had been remolded into "a royal cup for Him, my King." On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines the works of this Victorian-era poet. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/christina-rossetti/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Don...

Second only to Rome within the empire, the city of Carthage was the site of many significant and foundational events in ancient church history. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols provides an overview of this Mediterranean harbor city and its influence. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/carthage/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Mini...

The Reformation was characterized by a desire to deliver the truth of God's Word out of the hands of a privileged few and into the minds of everyday people. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Stephen Nichols examines how Martin Luther embodied this principle by using the printing press to publish his writings in German. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/to-t...

From the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology to the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, James Montgomery Boice partnered with R.C. Sproul and others to defend the gospel and build up the church. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes a look at the life and legacy of Dr. Boice. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/james-mo...

Some people are surprised to discover the rich theological reflections that appear in Herman Melville's classic novel Moby Dick. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines the vivid description of a pulpit in an early chapter of the book. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/moby-dick-chapter-eight/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Mi...

Some ministers preach from pulpits, others speak from lecterns, and some stand beside a table. Does it really make any difference? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols observes the significant role of the pulpit from the earliest centuries of the church. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-pulpit/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Mi...

Can we have certainty in what we know? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols revisits David Hume, the father of philosophical skepticism. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/david-hume-the-philosopher/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/