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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William Gouge

09.20.2023

William Gouge was known by many as a compassionate minister of the gospel. Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about the ministry, writings, and legacy of this English Puritan. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/william-gouge/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols episodes:

09.20.2023 William Gouge William Gouge was known by many as a compassionate minister of the gospel. Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about the ministry, writings, and legacy of this English Puritan. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/william-gouge/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/
09.13.2023 Maximus of Turin In the face of rising spiritual and political threats, Maximus of Turin charged his congregation to remain steadfast in trusting the Lord. Today, Stephen Nichols describes the legacy of this fifth-century bishop. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/maximus-of-turin/ A donor-supported outreach of ...
09.06.2023 Jonathan Dickinson During the Great Awakening, Jonathan Dickinson and his colleagues made plans to found a college to train Presbyterian ministers. Today, Stephen Nichols introduces us to the first president of Princeton University. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/jonathan-dickinson/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier ...
08.30.2023 10th Anniversary: Why Church History? The church is a family with a long and glorious story, woven together by God's grace. As we continue to celebrate ten years of 5 Minutes in Church History, today Stephen Nichols underscores the importance of knowing, remembering, and retelling ...
08.23.2023 10th Anniversary: Revisiting Augustine Ten years ago, we set out on a journey in this podcast to witness God's faithfulness throughout the story of Christianity. To celebrate a decade of 5 Minutes in Church History, today Stephen Nichols revisits an old friend from our ...
08.16.2023 Deserted Island: Two More Books for a Stranded Podcast Host Reading material is essential for anyone headed to a deserted island. Today, the retired host of Renewing Your Mind, Lee Webb, continues a discussion with Stephen Nichols about which books he would bring with him to a deserted island. Read ...
08.09.2023 Deserted Island: A Stranded Podcast Host and His Books The tides have turned, and our host is being sent to a deserted island. Today, Lee Webb swaps places with Stephen Nichols in order to ask him this question: Which five books would you bring to a deserted island? Read ...
08.02.2023 Deserted Island with Lee Webb: A Pilgrim, a Puritan, and a Prisoner of War Have you ever read a book so compelling that it felt impossible to put down? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols invites the retired host of the Renewing Your Mind podcast, Lee Webb, to talk about several of his favorite books. Read ...
07.26.2023 Deserted Island with Lee Webb: Bunyan, Sproul, and the Trinity Hymnal There is always time for a good book on a deserted island. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols sends special guest Lee Webb to this island, allowing him to bring only five books. Which will he choose? Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/deserted-island-with-lee-webb-bunyan-sproul-and-the-trinity-hymnal/ A ...
07.19.2023 Spurgeon’s Church Where did Charles Spurgeon preach his sermons? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us on a journey through church history, arriving at the church where Spurgeon would preach until his death in 1892. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/spurgeons-church/ A donor-supported outreach of ...
07.12.2023 Spurgeon’s Publisher Charles Spurgeon's sermons have been edifying Christians for hundreds of years. Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells the story of two men who teamed up to publish these messages that still encourage believers to this day. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/spurgeons-publisher/ A ...
07.05.2023 Jonathan Edwards on Deacons What important role do deacons play in the church? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols takes us back to 1739 to Jonathan Edwards' church in Northampton, MA, to look at a sermon that Edwards preached on this topic. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/jonathan-edwards-on-deacons/ ...
06.28.2023 PA Highway 263 Did you know that 63 colleges can trace their roots back to a humble roadside college that was located in rural Pennsylvania? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols tells us about the seismic impact that Log College had on church history. Read ...
06.21.2023 Deserted Island, Church Fathers Edition: Augustine & Cyril of Alexandria Writings by the church fathers could offer hours of enriching study on a desert island. Today, special guest Dr. Michael Reeves shares why he would bring works by Augustine and Cyril of Alexandria to his literary oasis. Read the transcript: ...
06.14.2023 Deserted Island, Church Fathers Edition: Irenaeus & Athanasius Which books written by the church fathers would you want on a deserted island? Today, Dr. Michael Reeves joins Dr. Stephen Nichols to discuss two of the books he would bring. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/deserted-island-church-fathers-edition-irenaeus-and-athanasius/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier ...
06.07.2023 My Favorite British Monarch Who was King Edward VI? Today, Dr. Stephen Nichols is joined by special guest Dr. Michael Reeves to discuss the life of this English monarch who helped advance the spread of the Protestant Reformation. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/my-favorite-british-monarch/ A donor-supported ...
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 ...

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