A Christian Worldview of History

As a student of history and disciple of Jesus, I found three fundamental concepts that should underpin the work of every Christian historian.

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The first concept was God's absolute authority as the author of history from its beginning to its eventual conclusion. Saint Augustine put it into more understandable terms. He argued that history began with creation, culminated with the coming of Jesus Christ, and has since moved toward humanity’s "final judgment and eternity".(2) God is sovereign over time and history.

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The second idea was found in Colossians 3:17, "...whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (King James Version). In clearer terms, those who would call themselves Christians should always put forth their best effort in whatever profession that their God has given them. Therefore a Christian historian should be as objective as possible, kind even when critical or challenging another’s opinion, and provide the best feasible results within human constraints. A Christian historian, just as a Christian anything, should be the best in their craft.

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The final concept was that all humans were made in the image of God with each individual granted the freedom to decide their destiny. As Dr. Samuel Smith put it, “Man is an image bearer of God, yet fallen and sinful.”(5) When God created man, he did not want another animal that simply followed its inputted commands. Instead, God wanted someone who would choose Him back. With this viewpoint of one’s fellow man, love and respect for others becomes easy for the Christian who consistently strives to become more like God.

Footnotes:

1. Saint Augustine of Hippo, painting. https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-saint-augustine-hippo-painting-church-altar-image90219389

2. Roger Schultz, "Augustine the Multi-disciplined Scholar," interviewed by Samuel Smith, (video interview in HIST 491 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, 2019).

3. Book of Colossians, digital photograph. https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-book-colossians-one-books-bible-image38716276
4. God`s helping hand with the white cross on sunset background, digital photograph. https://www.dreamstime.com/god-s-helping-hand-white-cross-sunset-background-day-remembrance-good-friday-concept-god-s-helping-hand-image114060253

5. Samuel Smith, "Christian Worldview and History," (video lecture in HIST 491 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, 2019).