5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

By Ligonier Ministries

History Religion & Spirituality Christianity

What's 5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols about?

This weekly podcast provides an informal and informative look at church history. Join us each week as we take a brief break from the present to go exploring the past. Travel back in time as we look at the people, events, and even the places that have shaped the story of Christianity. Each episode offers an easily digestible glimpse of how the eternal, unchangeable God has worked in the church over prior generations and how this can encourage us today. This is our story—our family history.

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Let’s Talk about the Trials...

05.31.2023

Throughout his ministry, Charles Spurgeon faced opposition from every side. Today, Dr. Steven Lawson joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to discuss how the Lord used the trials that Spurgeon faced to further the message of the gospel. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/lets-talk-about-the-trials-in-spurgeons-life-with-steven-lawson/ ...

5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols episodes:

05.31.2023 Let’s Talk about the Trials in Spurgeon’s Life with Steven Lawson Throughout his ministry, Charles Spurgeon faced opposition from every side. Today, Dr. Steven Lawson joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to discuss how the Lord used the trials that Spurgeon faced to further the message of the gospel. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/lets-talk-about-the-trials-in-spurgeons-life-with-steven-lawson/ ...
05.24.2023 Let’s Talk about Spurgeon's Early Years with Steven Lawson Did you know that Charles Spurgeon began preaching at the young age of fifteen? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols is joined by special guest Dr. Steven Lawson to discuss the early years of Spurgeon's ministry. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/lets-talk-about-spurgeons-early-years-with-steven-lawson/ A donor-supported ...
05.17.2023 The Apple and the Whale Church history is filled with biblical imagery. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols considers the differences in how artists through the centuries have depicted the fruit that Adam and Eve ate in the garden of Eden and the fish that swallowed Jonah. ...
05.10.2023 How Jonathan Edwards Wrote Books Jonathan Edwards spent many hours with a quill pen in his hand writing books, sermons, and more. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us behind the scenes to explore the writing process of this prolific theologian. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/how-jonathan-edwards-wrote-books/ A ...
05.03.2023 The Shakers In 1774, Ann Lee and eight other Shakers arrived on the shores of America. Who were the Shakers? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols discusses this community of people, walking us through their beliefs and way of life. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-shakers/ ...
04.26.2023 Bede and the Bible Although best known for his work as a church historian, the Venerable Bede also spent many hours of his life studying God's Word in great detail. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells us about Bede's contributions as a Bible commentator. Read ...
04.19.2023 The Haldane Brothers When the Haldane brothers saw that the church in Scotland needed ministers, they funded academies to train them. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces two men who supported the work of the church with the resources that God entrusted to them. ...
04.12.2023 Zinzendorf To this day, if you walk around the city of Bethlehem, PA, you will find churches and schools named after the Moravians. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells us about the influence that Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf had on the Moravian ...
04.05.2023 Rembrandt in the Wind With every brushstroke, Rembrandt brought biblical characters to life through his artwork. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols gives us a tour of one of his masterpieces, recounting the life of this famous Dutch painter along the way. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/rembrandt-in-the-wind/ ...
03.29.2023 Sunken Treasure Not too long ago, a sunken treasure was discovered off the coast of Cape Canaveral in Florida. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols invites us to sift through the sand with him to discover important relics from church history. Read the transcript: ...
03.22.2023 Quick, Get the Horse, Mrs. Cole: Nathan Cole Before cars were invented, you needed a strong horse to make it to your destination on time. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells the story of a husband and wife who rode for miles to hear George Whitefield preach. Read the ...
03.15.2023 Luther and Columbus What does the Protestant Reformation have to do with the exploration of the New World? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols discusses the overlap between these two pivotal moments in history and the impact that they had on the church. Read the ...
03.08.2023 Amy Carmichael When Amy Carmichael heard the Great Commission for the first time, her life changed forever. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us around the world to the places where this beloved missionary labored for the sake of the gospel. Read the ...
03.01.2023 The Didache What was it like to be part of the church nearly 2,000 years ago? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols opens up the Didache, an ancient text that gives us a glimpse into how the early church viewed certain elements of worship ...
02.22.2023 Jerusalem Jerusalem, sometimes called the "holy city," is the epicenter of four major world religions. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols walks us through the many centuries of religious history that have taken place in this city. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/jerusalem/ A donor-supported ...
02.15.2023 Rome It was from a Roman cell that the Apostle Paul wrote his prison epistles to the church. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes five unforgettable moments from church history that took place in Rome, known as the "eternal city" Read the ...
02.08.2023 Ephesus Along the Mediterranean Sea stands a city that was central to the Apostle Paul's ministry and echoes with biblical history that dates back to the first century. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells us about the ancient port city of Ephesus, ...
02.01.2023 Cambridge The city of Cambridge in the United Kingdom is home to several churches and academic institutions that are steeped in church history. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us on a tour of this English city. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/cambridge/ A ...
01.25.2023 American Church History in 5 Movements While history is composed of accounts about specific people and events, overarching themes also emerge when we look at the big picture. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols divides American church history into five movements. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/american-church-history-in-5-movements/ A donor-supported outreach ...
01.18.2023 Julian the Apostate Though educated by the leading theologians of his day, Julian the Apostate did not think that Rome would benefit from embracing Christianity. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes the shift toward paganism that occurred under the rule of this emperor. Read ...
01.11.2023 Charnock on Providence When a shifting political landscape forced him to go into hiding, Stephen Charnock continued to faithfully minister to God's people. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols discusses how this Puritan's life and work bore witness to the providence of God. Read the ...
01.04.2023 Amazing Grace 250th Christians around the world have been singing John Newton's hymn Amazing Grace for hundreds of years. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells us about the very first time this hymn was ever sung. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/amazing-grace-250th/ A donor-supported outreach of ...
12.28.2022 7. T Is for Trinity (and Tertullian) Terms like "Old and New Testament" and "Trinity" are common in modern theological discourse. Who originally coined these terms? Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols helps us get to know the early church father Tertullian. ...
12.21.2022 313. Theologians Who Love Christmas What do Charles Spurgeon, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and R.C. Sproul have in common? Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols explains the love for Christmas that these gifted theologians shared. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/313-theologians-who-love-christmas/ A donor-supported outreach ...
12.14.2022 408. Handel George Frideric Handel wanted people to be not only entertained but also moved by his music. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols provides an overview of Handel's life and work. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/408-handel/ A ...
12.07.2022 11. Deserted Island Top 5: R.C. Sproul If you were stranded on an island, you'd have a lot of time to read. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols challenges Dr. R.C. Sproul to name the five books that he would bring with ...
11.30.2022 174. Fort Caroline Contrary to popular belief, the first Thanksgiving likely did not take place in New England. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us further south. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/174-fort-caroline/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. ...
11.23.2022 361. Thanksgiving The first Thanksgiving was not a family meal but three days of entertainment and feasting. In today's journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes these events from 1621. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/361-thanksgiving/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. ...
11.16.2022 76. Augustine on Friendship True friends are a gift from God. In today's journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces us to several of Augustine's close friends and discusses his view on friendship. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/76-augustine-on-friendship/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier ...
11.09.2022 172. The Three Cappadocians Who were the Cappadocian Fathers? In today's journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces us to three ancient defenders of the doctrine of the Trinity. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/172-the-three-cappadocians/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/
11.02.2022 98. Calvin on Prayer Prayer is an unmerited privilege and a glorious gift that God gives to His people. In today's journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols outlines John Calvin's view on prayer as it appears in the Institutes of the Christian ...
10.26.2022 252. The 95 Theses, Part 2 What did Martin Luther say to those who taught that salvation could be obtained through the merits of the saints? Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols explains Luther's gospel-centered response. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/252-the-95-theses-part-2/ A ...
10.19.2022 242. Luther on Psalm 118 Martin Luther revered the whole book of Psalms, but there was one psalm that the German Reformer cherished most of all. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols and Dr. W. Robert Godfrey discuss Luther's "own ...
10.12.2022 236. Two Kinds of Righteousness Where does the spiritual fruit that we bear in our Christian lives come from? Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols discusses a noteworthy sermon that Martin Luther preached on two kinds of righteousness. Read the ...
10.05.2022 244. Martin & Katie Martin Luther didn't plan on getting married, but that changed when he met Katharina von Bora. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols offers a glimpse into the marriage of this Reformation couple--one filled with love, ...
09.28.2022 344. Elisabeth Elliot After her missionary husband was martyred, she returned to serve the tribe that had killed him. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols recalls the extraordinary life of Elisabeth Elliot. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/344-elisabeth-elliot/ A donor-supported ...
09.21.2022 332. J.C. Ryle Sometimes God can use a single verse from His Word to draw us to Himself. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols looks at a verse that transformed the life of the English bishop J.C. Ryle: ...
09.14.2022 400. What Governs History? Many ancient Greeks and Romans believed that history is subject to the arbitrary governance of fate. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols considers how one scholar from old Princeton responded to this idea. Read the ...
09.07.2022 30. Monica: A Mother’s Prayer Monica desired only one thing before she left this world: to see her son become a Christian. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces us to the mother of Augustine--a woman faithful in prayer. Read ...
08.31.2022 384. C.S. Lewis Essayist While Europe was embroiled in World War II, brilliant essays flowed from the pen of C.S. Lewis. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines some of the other writings that came from the author of ...
08.24.2022 102. Peter Martyr Vermigli How did a devout monk become a Protestant on the run from the authorities because of his faith? Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces us to the life and work of Peter Martyr Vermigli, ...
08.17.2022 404. History of Atheism We are witnessing a rise of professing atheists and practical atheism in the 21st century. Where did all this unbelief come from? Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols traces the development of atheism in the ...
08.10.2022 259. Johann Sebastian Bach: JJ The Lutheran composer Johann Sebastian Bach often signed his compositions with the initials “JJ” and “SDG.” Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols explains the significance of these letters. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/259-johann-sebastian-bach-jj/ A donor-supported outreach ...
08.03.2022 349. The King James Bible Each translation of the Bible has a unique history of its own. Today on our journey back through the archives, Dr. Stephen Nichols visits the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, to take a look at the history of ...
07.27.2022 501. The First Episode In this podcast, we've observed the history of God's faithfulness to His people over twenty centuries. Today, we begin a journey back through the archives as Dr. Stephen Nichols revisits our very first episode on Augustine's Confessions. Read the transcript: ...
07.20.2022 The 500th Episode with Chris Larson The history of the Christian faith is a story for all generations. On this special 500th episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols is joined by Ligonier President Chris Larson to discuss the beginnings of this podcast ...
07.13.2022 My Favorite Puritan with Michael Reeves For hundreds of years, Christians have benefited from the rich theological insights of the Puritans. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols gives special guest Dr. Michael Reeves the challenging assignment of naming one favorite ...
07.06.2022 Luther on Galatians Martin Luther's reputation as a lover of Scripture precedes him. And one of his favorite books of the Bible was Galatians. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols traces the history of Luther's writings and ...
06.29.2022 Newton on Handel’s Messiah John Newton is famously known for writing the hymn "Amazing Grace." On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols recounts how Newton's love of both music and God's Word prompted him to preach 50 sermons on ...
06.22.2022 Hodge’s Systematic Theology Before English textbooks were common in American higher education, many were written in Latin. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes how Charles Hodge responded to linguistic shifts at Princeton by writing a three-volume ...

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