Priests of History: Stewarding the Past in an Ahistoric Age

Christians can engage meaningfully with history by learning to be priests of history, tending and keeping our past, which can help us strengthen and revive our spiritual and intellectual formation and equip us to communicate the gospel in a confused and rootless world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 24 September 2024
Publisher: Zondervan

Christians can engage meaningfully with history by recognizing its significance and relevance in their spiritual and intellectual formation. In an age characterized by the idea that life is about self-invention and fulfilment, contemporary Western culture often dismisses the past as irrelevant. However, this ahistoric worldview can have unintended consequences, leaving Christians unmoored from history and unable to grapple with its ethical complexities. Priests of History, written by Sarah Irving-Stonebraker, explores the importance of history and how it can help Christians strengthen and revive their spiritual and intellectual formation. By learning to be priests of history, Christians can tend and keep their past, which can help them communicate the gospel in a confused and rootless world.

One of the key challenges facing Christians in engaging with history is the idea that history is linear and progressive. This view suggests that history is a story of human progress, with each generation building on the achievements of the previous one. However, this view can be problematic for Christians, as it can lead to a sense of superiority and arrogance. Irving-Stonebraker argues that history is more complex and nuanced than this, and that it is shaped by a variety of factors, including human agency, cultural influences, and divine intervention.

Another challenge facing Christians in engaging with history is the idea that history is secular. This view suggests that history is primarily concerned with the material world and that religion is irrelevant to it. However, Irving-Stonebraker argues that history is deeply religious, and that it can provide a rich source of spiritual insight and inspiration. She points to the many examples of religious leaders who have used history to shape their teachings and to inspire their followers.

Despite these challenges, Christians can engage meaningfully with history by taking a variety of steps. One of the most important steps is to read history critically. This means that Christians should be able to evaluate the sources of historical information and to determine whether they are reliable and trustworthy. Irving-Stonebraker provides a number of resources for Christians to use in reading history critically, including her book Priests of History.

Another step is to engage with history through prayer and meditation. Irving-Stonebraker argues that history can be a powerful tool for prayer and meditation, as it can help us to connect with our past and with God. She provides a number of examples of how Christians can use history to deepen their spiritual practice.

Christians can also engage with history by participating in historical events and activities. This can include attending historical reenactments, visiting historical sites, and participating in historical research. By participating in these activities, Christians can gain a deeper understanding of the past and of the people who lived in it.

However, it is important to approach historical events and activities with a sense of humility and respect. Irving-Stonebraker argues that history is not a perfect record of the past, and that it can be shaped by a variety of factors, including human error and bias. Christians should be willing to learn from history and to use it to improve their own lives and the lives of others.

In addition to engaging with history, Christians can also use history to communicate the gospel. Irving-Stonebraker argues that history can be a powerful tool for evangelism, as it can help us to connect with people who are not familiar with the gospel. She provides a number of examples of how Christians have used history to communicate the gospel, including the story of the Exodus and the story of Jesus Christ.

However, it is important to approach evangelism with a sense of humility and respect. Irving-Stonebraker argues that evangelism should be done in a way that is respectful of the beliefs and values of others, and that it should not be used to promote a particular political or social agenda.

In conclusion, Christians can engage meaningfully with history by recognizing its significance and relevance in their spiritual and intellectual formation. By reading history critically, engaging with history through prayer and meditation, participating in historical events and activities, and using history to communicate the gospel, Christians can strengthen and revive their spiritual and intellectual formation and equip themselves to communicate the gospel in a confused and rootless world.

Dimension: 213 x 139 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780310160908