Reading History, Learning from Imperfect Voices with John Wilsey
Feb 8, 2023
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Caleb talks with John Wilsey, professor of church history and philosophy, about the significance of history and the challenges of viewing it through a simplistic lens. They explore the concept of historical thinking and the importance of humility and self-reflection when engaging with imperfect voices from the past.
Approaching history with humility and recognizing the flaws and virtues of historical figures allows us to learn and grow.
Reading biographies can serve as an engaging entry point to history, deepening our understanding of faith and sacrifice.
Deep dives
The Value of Reading History
History is not about winners and losers, but about understanding the complex nature of humanity and ourselves. By recognizing our own imperfections and the sin nature within us, we can approach the lives of historical figures with humility and charity. We can learn positive wisdom from their lives and also learn what not to do. It serves as a reminder that no one is inherently superior or inferior, as we all share the same sinful nature. History also functions as a memento mori, reminding us of our mortality and the need to live our lives in a way that leaves a positive legacy for future generations.
Reading History Well
To read history well, we need to adopt certain principles. Recognizing that human nature is sinful and that we are not inherently better than those who lived in the past is crucial. We should also reject the idea that history is a moral judge or a story of winners and losers. Instead, we should approach history with humility, recognizing that individuals and events have both positive and negative aspects. This mindset allows us to learn from the past and cultivate virtues such as discernment, charity, and humility. It also reminds us that our own lives will be subject to future scrutiny, urging us to strive for a positive testimony.
Getting Started with History
For those new to history or occasional readers, biographies are a great entry point. Biographers like David McCullough and Herman Selderhuis offer engaging and vivid storytelling, providing insight into the lives of historical figures. Military histories and stories from the history of missions can also be captivating. Exploring Christian biographies and martyrdom studies can deepen one's understanding of faith and sacrifice. As readers delve into these narratives, they can develop a taste for history and expand their appreciation for the complexities of the human experience.
Resources for Further Exploration
For further exploration, David McCullough's biographies, such as those on Theodore Roosevelt and John Adams, offer compelling accounts of significant individuals. Alan Gelso's books on the Civil War, including 'Faithful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction,' provide comprehensive insights into this crucial period. Biographies of missionaries like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and stories of martyrs can inspire and deepen one's faith. Understanding the history of wars and exploring theological works also offers valuable perspectives on past events and figures.
In this episode Caleb talks with John Wilsey (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) professor of church history and philosophy at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary about how to read history well and how to learn from imperfect voice of the past. What is history and why should we care about it? How do we listen to and learn from imperfect and sinful people without minimize their flaws or neglecting to look in the mirror of our own hearts to see our own fallenness and shortcomings?
Books by Dr. John Wilsey
God’s Cold Warrior: The Life and Faith of John Foster Dulles: https://a.co/d/b4pjCOv
American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea: https://a.co/d/8v2mf0n
One Nation Under God?: An Evangelical Critique of Christian America: https://a.co/d/cuz7pbn
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