

5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Ligonier Ministries
This weekly podcast provides an informal and informative look at church history. Join us each week as we take a brief break from the present to go exploring the past. Travel back in time as we look at the people, events, and even the places that have shaped the story of Christianity. Each episode offers an easily digestible glimpse of how the eternal, unchangeable God has worked in the church over prior generations and how this can encourage us today. This is our story—our family history.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 22, 2022 • 5min
Hodge’s Systematic Theology
Before English textbooks were common in American higher education, many were written in Latin. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes how Charles Hodge responded to linguistic shifts at Princeton by writing a three-volume work for his students. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/hodges-systematic-theology/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Jun 15, 2022 • 5min
John Witherspoon
Do you know the story of the only clergyman whose signature is on the Declaration of Independence? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols presents John Witherspoon: university president, esteemed preacher, and American patriot. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/john-witherspoon/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Jun 8, 2022 • 5min
F.F. Bruce
F.F. Bruce was a biblical scholar who traversed the secular academy with devotion to the truth of the gospel. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces a theologian who was marked by his love of God's Word. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/ff-bruce/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Jun 1, 2022 • 5min
Louis Berkhof
In his fervent study of God's truth, Louis Berkhof spent years crafting and refining his systematic theology. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols presents this theologian's life and work. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/louis-berkhof/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

May 25, 2022 • 5min
Deserted Island with Michael Reeves
Do you find it challenging to choose a favorite book? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols invites special guest Dr. Michael Reeves to share which five books he would take with him on a deserted island and why. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/deserted-island-with-michael-reeves/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

May 18, 2022 • 5min
Deserted Island with Harry Reeder
What five books would you take with you on a deserted island? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols interviews special guest Dr. Harry Reeder about several books that have impacted him. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/deserted-island-with-harry-reeder/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

May 11, 2022 • 5min
William Perkins
Upon his conversion to Christianity, William Perkins devoted his life to the preaching of God's Word. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols shares several of Perkins' influential writings, which later impacted many Puritan preachers. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/william-perkins/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

May 4, 2022 • 5min
John Nelson Darby
John Nelson Darby sacrificed a promising law career to pursue Christian ministry, but it wasn't until a horse-riding injury that his theological ideas took full shape. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces the founder of dispensationalism. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/john-nelson-darby/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Apr 27, 2022 • 5min
The Liddell Family of Missionaries
Eric Liddell gave up a life of athletic prestige to serve the Lord as a missionary, joining others in his family who had committed their lives to advancing the gospel. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols introduces the Liddells. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/ the-liddell-family-of-missionaries/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/

Apr 20, 2022 • 5min
Trending in the 11th Century
If social media had existed in the 11th century, one might have scrolled to find commentary on the Crusades called by Pope Urban II. On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols describes several memorable people and events from the 11th century. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/trending-in-the-11th-century/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/donate/