New Review of *Why Study History*

Thanks to Jeff Straub for a great review of Why Study History?: Reflecting on the Importance of the Past in Credo magazine.  Click here and scroll to page 58 to read it.

I love the title of the review: “Think History is Boring? Think Again. John Fea Brings History to Life”

A taste:

The book, therefore, serves as a kind of apologetic for the study of history, particularly Christian history. In a relatively short space, Fea makes an impassioned appeal for the pursuit of history….

Pastors have demands on their time, and reading can sometimes be slotted to a minor priority. With a vast array of practical and systematic theological books, not to mention an ever-growing abundance of exegetical material, what does a busy pastor read? This may leave little or no room for reading topics like history, much less a book on the historian’s method. Yet the pastor who will take the time to peruse this book may come away with a greater appreciation for the value of historical reading. Fea includes a chapter that argues for the value of Christian history as a part of one’s spiritual formation. Good historical writing has the power to transform a believer’s life. However, Christian historians need certain virtues like prayer and dependence upon God when studying the past so that God may use the study to its fullest.

RECOMMENDED READING

Asbury University revival roundup: February 15, 2023 at 11:25AM Asbury University revival roundup: February 20, 2023 at 11:58AM FORUM: The New Shape of Christian Public Discourse Special evangelical roundup: Asbury University revival edition