The Rehabilitation of Church History in Ministerial Education

Although theological study in recent years has placed great emphasis upon the historical point of view, church history has not been claiming increased attention. In fact, interest in the past of Christianity was much greater in former times, when historical study was thought to yield supernaturally guaranteed norms for modern doctrines and rites. The rise of the scientific spirit in the nineteenth century undermined this confidence in the normative character of the past, and the chief interest in historical studies centered upon the investigation of documents. At the same time ministerial students directed their gaze less persistently toward the past, and gave themselves increasingly to a study of modern society-sociology, psychology, education. A new type of church history is needed to meet the present situation. Documentary study should be merely an introduction to a knowledge of Christianity as a social movement at all times in its history. In the future, social interests should dominate in the teaching of church history in ministerial education

Aesthetics · Christianity · Church History · History of Christianity · Normative · Political science · Social history (medicine) · Social science · Sociology · Christian Theology and Mission · Classics · History · Law · Philosophy · Religion, Society, and Development · Religious Education and Schools · Religious studies