5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

Today, David Hume is known primarily for his skeptical philosophy. But in his own day, Hume received more recognition for his historical writings. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines Hume's account of the Westminster Assembly. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/david-hume-the-historian/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

For 35 years, James Strong labored to catalog more than 14,000 Hebrew and Greek words into the exhaustive concordance that bears his name. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines Strong's influence on biblical studies and Bible translation. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/who-is-strong/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Is the Jesus of the Gospels different from the Christ taught by the Apostle Paul? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols outlines the controversy that drove J. Gresham Machen to write his monumental book on the origin of Christianity. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/pauls-religion/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

The more Isaac Newton studied God's universe, the more he was led to worship the Creator. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces us to the father of modern science. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/isaac-newton/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

The great cathedrals of Europe have witnessed centuries of church history, and each has stories of its own to tell. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us on a journey to five of these iconic structures. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/5-cathedrals/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

While Europe was embroiled in World War II, brilliant essays flowed from the pen of C.S. Lewis. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines some of the other writings that came from the author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/c-s-lewis-essayist/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

When we hear the word "dispensational," our thoughts might turn to discussions of prophecy and the rapture. But there's far more to this theological movement. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols defines four major features of dispensationalism. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/dispensationalism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

When a health crisis ravages the land, God's people are presented with a unique opportunity to take inventory of their spiritual lives. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols observes how Francis Grimke guided his congregation through the Spanish flu of 1918. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/faith-in-times-of-plague-grimke/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Ours is not the first age in which Christians have faced the danger of viruses and infectious disease. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols assesses how Martin Luther advised his church to trust in God during a deadly outbreak of the bubonic plague. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/faith-in-times-of-plague-luther/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

In a time of crisis, will we give up all hope? Or will we trust that God is orchestrating all things to accomplish His good purposes in the world? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols turns to Augustine of Hippo as an example of steadfast faith amid challenging circumstances. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-church-in-times-of-crisis/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

How good is your Latin? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols defines five Latin terms that have been used by Christians through the ages to describe key theological truths. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/5-latin-words/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Every one of the Psalms is about Christ, so every psalm has something to say to the church. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols highlights five Protestant Reformers who wrote commentaries on the book of Psalms. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/5-reformers-on-the-psalms/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

In 1932, a report was issued declaring that the church needed a new mission that represented the realities of the 20th century. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols explains why J. Gresham Machen's commitment to the gospel required him to part ways with a changing denomination. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/re-thinking-missions/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Can you explain the difference between Augustinianism, Pelagianism, and Semi-Pelagianism? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols outlines three overarching views in church history of the relationship between sin and grace. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/3-types-of-theology/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Just as the existence of a wristwatch requires a watchmaker, so the cosmos necessitates the existence of God. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols walks through William Paley's teleological argument for God's existence. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-watchmaker/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

What is disestablishmentarianism? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols surveys the relationship between church and state throughout the centuries. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/a-very-long-word/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

As a brand-new pastor just out of college, Augustus Toplady wrote those memorable words, "Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling." On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols retells the short life of this London pastor and poet. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/augustus-toplady/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

"Pascal," the name of a programming language and a unit for measuring internal pressure, were both named after Blaise Pascal. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols discusses this French mathematician, physicist, philosopher, and theologian. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/blaise-pascal/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

In 1885, seven British aristocrats committed themselves to delivering the gospel to the ends of the earth. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols presents the men who have been called the Dream Team of Missions. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-cambridge-seven/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Through his study of Scripture and archeology, Sir William Ramsay stunned his liberal colleagues by concluding that the New Testament is reliable. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces this biblical scholar from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/sir-william-ramsay/ A donor supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

What are some of your favorite moments from 5 Minutes in Church History? On this special bonus episode, Dr. Nichols, Lee Webb, and Nathan W. Bingham reflect on the past six years of this podcast. For a limited time, you can download Dr. Nichols' ebook 5 Minutes in Church History for free. Visit https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/freeoffer to receive your copy.

At the end of the fourth century, the church father Jerome led a team of translators to produce a Latin edition of the Bible. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines the Vulgate. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-vulgate/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://gift.ligonier.org/1041/5-minutes-in-church-history

In 1550, Robertus Stephanus published what has come to be known as the Textus Receptus, the edition of the Greek New Testament that would form the basis of Bible translations for centuries. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Stephen Nichols conveys the importance of this giant in Bible printing history. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/robertus-stephanus A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

From the birth of Christian rock to the rise of the Christian bookstore industry, American evangelicalism was significantly shaped by the Jesus People in the 1970s. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Stephen Nichols discusses this unique and influential movement. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-jesus-people/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Prior to his twentieth birthday, Jonathan Edwards wrote 70 resolutions to guide and guard the direction of his life. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols analyzes some of Edwards' resolutions related to time management, Bible reading, and growing in self-control. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

Christmas comes with the reminiscent sound of carols and hymns. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Stephen Nichols explores the intriguing history behind three classic Christmas hymns. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

Just as the Lord promised, the people of God have suffered greatly for His name throughout history. Recorded at the Scriptorium in Orlando, Florida, Stephen Nichols examines books by John Bunyan and John Foxe on the topic of suffering and martyrdom on this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

The revolutionary advent of the printing press made it possible to get the Bible into more hands more easily. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols looks through the Van Kampen Collection of Bibles and Bible memorabilia at the Scriptorium in Orlando, Florida. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

You can gain interesting glimpses into someone's life by reading the mail he sends out. On location at the Scriptorium in Orlando, Florida, Stephen Nichols pages through the letters of C.H. Spurgeon on this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

What was it like on the first Thanksgiving? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols reads from Edward Winslow's letter describing the festivities. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

From Beowulf to Boniface III, the seventh century was a period of rich literary history and significant theological controversy. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols grants us an overview of seventh-century people and events. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

Have you ever heard of elenctic theology? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols addresses the definition and history of this theological method. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

What is the difference between dogmatic theology and systematic theology? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols defines several major strands of theological study that have been prominent throughout church history. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

The Reformers did not stand alone in the cause of biblical truth. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces several of the patrons who generously supported the Reformers in their cause. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

The life of Anne Locke spanned the crucial decades of the English Reformation. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes this sixteenth-century poet and translator. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

What is Dyothelitism? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces Maximus the Confessor, one of the early champions of this doctrine. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols teaches on several books in church history that have proven fatal to their authors and printers. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

On June 17, 1765, seventeen men petitioned the court of Williamsburg to establish a Presbyterian church in the Anglican colony of Virginia. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols goes on location to tell their story. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols is on location in Virginia to remember the pastor and educator who influenced Thomas Jefferson in his appeals for religious liberty. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

We sometimes have a vision of men like Martin Luther standing alone against the world. But even Luther needed a pastor. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History recorded live at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, Dr. Stephen Nichols acquaints us with Johannes Bugenhagen. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols visits the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC to take a look at one of the most renowned translations of Scripture in the English language. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

For a church to become healthy and grow, sometimes it simply requires the right resources in the right hands. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Ken Mbugua and Dr. Stephen Nichols consider the present challenges and hopeful future of Christianity in Africa. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

Ken Mbugua, Managing Director of Ekklesia Africa, joins Dr. Stephen Nichols on this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History to discuss the history of missions in Africa. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us to the oldest city in Georgia, where both George Whitefield and John Wesley preached. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

Charles Simeon wanted a church that took the gospel seriously. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces us to an Anglican minister with an intense passion for preaching, missions, and church reform. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

After her missionary husband was martyred, she returned to serve the tribe that had killed him. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols recalls the extraordinary life of Elisabeth Elliot. Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces us to Swiss theologian Pierre Viret and explains how he got the nickname "the angel of the Reformation." Read the transcript. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries.

On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols asks Pepe Mendoza to share five books he would want on a deserted island. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/deserted-island-top-5-pepe-mendoza>/

On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Pepe Mendoza joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to introduce the pioneers who brought the gospel to Latin America. Read the transcript:https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/latin-american-pioneers/

On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Drs. Stephen Nichols and W. Robert Godfrey discuss a key moment that helped shape Martin Luther's understanding of the authority of Scripture. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-leipzig-disputation/