3.24.09 - Church History
Well I just finished up my first class of 09 - Church History. What a blessing to get to teach on a subject that can date back almost 2000 years!
This was the first time that many of our students had been introduced to the concepts, characters and events throughout the history of the church. And talk about a difficult task to compile in only 10 days... I routinely found myself having to edit and condense material just to fit it all in.
My emphasis throughout the class was asking the students "What is it you BELIEVE about what you believe?" It is this question that Christians must wrestle with in a world of religious alternatives and rejected absolutes.
I taught church history from the vantage point of the "issues" that determined the events, rather than purely chronicling the events. This way we were able to see the progress in church history and also answer the question of "why" what happened actually happened.
I must say that I learned more about church history from teaching than I ever have before. Its is a fascinating subject to see how many mistakes the church has made throughout history and yet to see how, despite all her flaws, she is still the Bride of the Lord. I believe that says something amazing, not about her, but about the One who is filled with loving-kindness, patience, and righteousness to cover every blemish and fault.
Video of Ryan Teaching >
