5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

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.

The 600th Episode 06/19/2024

The 600th Episode According to the early church historian Bede, Caedmon was an illiterate herdsman at a monastery who was miraculously gifted with a poet's hand. Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about the poem on Genesis attributed to Caedmon. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/31792182

5 Things Everyone Should Know about John Owen 06/12/2024

5 Things Everyone Should Know about John Owen In his lifetime, John Owen wrote more than eight million words. Today, special guest John Tweeddale joins Stephen Nichols to discuss the life of this prolific writer and renowned Puritan theologian. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/31657082

5 Books for Summer Reading 06/05/2024

5 Books for Summer Reading The summer months can be a great time to catch up on reading. Today, John Tweeddale, vice president of academics at Reformation Bible College, joins Stephen Nichols to share several book recommendations. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/31599397

Owen’s Two Catechisms 05/29/2024

Owen’s Two Catechisms When political unrest drove John Owen to a small English village, he began ministering at the local church. Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about the two catechisms that Owen wrote to serve Christians of all ages in his congregation. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/31496137

5 Cites in Calvin’s Institutes 05/22/2024

5 Cites in Calvin’s Institutes John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion have been cherished by students of theology for centuries. Today, Stephen Nichols opens the Institutes and points us to five portions of this influential book. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/31176837

5 Sites in Calvin’s Geneva 05/15/2024

5 Sites in Calvin’s Geneva What sites should you visit if you were to take a trip to Geneva, Switzerland? Today, Stephen Nichols points out five landmarks from this city filled with a treasury of history from John Calvin's life. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/31176717

Travels with Anselm 05/08/2024

Travels with Anselm Over the course of his life, Anselm took five important journeys. Today, Stephen Nichols takes us on the road with Anselm, pointing out notable events from this medieval theologian's travels. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/31176587

Calvin at College 05/01/2024

Calvin at College Where did John Calvin go to college? Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about Calvin's time at the College de Montaigu and how his educational experiences helped shape him into the prominent Reformer that we know today. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30952933

W.H. Griffith Thomas 04/24/2024

W.H. Griffith Thomas Before he died, W.H. Griffith Thomas helped found Evangelical Theological Seminary, known today as Dallas Theological Seminary. Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about the life and career of this dedicated Anglican theologian. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30951328

John Murray 04/17/2024

John Murray During his time at Westminster Theological Seminary, John Murray skillfully trained many pastors and theologians in the truth of God. In this episode, Stephen Nichols tells us highlights from the life of this gifted theologian. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30797078

Billy Graham 04/10/2024

Billy Graham The evangelist Billy Graham remains one of the most well-known figures of the 20th century. In this episode, Stephen Nichols walks us through his life, from humble beginnings on a dairy farm to preaching to millions of people. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30583193

Carl Henry 04/03/2024

Carl Henry Who was Carl Henry? What part did he play in shaping modern evangelicalism? Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about the tremendous influence that Henry had in his roles as an academic, apologist, author, theologian, and more. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30583148

The French and a Doctrine of Scripture 03/27/2024

The French and a Doctrine of Scripture The fifth article of the 1559 French Confession of Faith contains rich descriptions of the doctrine of Scripture. Today, Stephen Nichols draws out five points from this article that help us understand this key doctrine. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30446823

The 95 Theses in a Sermon 03/20/2024

The 95 Theses in a Sermon In his 95 Theses, Martin Luther addressed many unbiblical practices that the Roman Catholic Church endorsed. Today, Stephen Nichols recounts a sermon that Luther preached based upon this famous historical document. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30446488

Calvin and the Psalter 03/13/2024

Calvin and the Psalter When John Calvin set out to produce a French psalter, he knew he couldn't do it alone. Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about the many people who contributed to creating French editions of the Psalms for singing. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30140673

5 Enlightenment Figures 03/06/2024

5 Enlightenment Figures What were the hallmarks of the Enlightenment? What impact did it have on the church? Today, Stephen Nichols provides an overview of this philosophical movement and introduces us to five major Enlightenment thinkers. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30040123

Robert Moffat 02/28/2024

Robert Moffat Even in the face of many dangers, Robert Moffat was dedicated to obeying the Lord's call on his life. Today, Stephen Nichols recounts the life and adventures of this Scottish missionary and Bible translator. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30040048

Luther’s Confession of Faith 02/21/2024

Luther’s Confession of Faith Martin Luther wanted to ensure that no one would misuse his Reformation writings as an excuse for creating divisions in the church. Today, Stephen Nichols examines a confession of faith that Luther wrote to defend essential Christian truths. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/30039928

Luther on Medieval Piety 02/14/2024

Luther on Medieval Piety Many people in the medieval church believed their works could earn God's favor. Today, Stephen Nichols looks at a sermon that Martin Luther preached against this false idea, expounding the true riches of God's grace in salvation. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29824598

Bonhoeffer on Fear 02/07/2024

Bonhoeffer on Fear Only weeks before the Nazi party gained power over Germany in the 20th century, Dietrich Bonhoeffer preached a sermon titled "Overcoming Fear." Today, Stephen Nichols takes us back to this poignant moment in church history. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29824368

5 Pieces of Art from Chicago 01/31/2024

5 Pieces of Art from Chicago Throughout history, many painters have chosen biblical themes as the subject for their artwork. Today, Stephen Nichols describes five paintings that are housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29667178

Francis Scott Key 01/24/2024

Francis Scott Key Francis Scott Key is famously remembered as the man who penned "The Star-Spangled Banner." Did you know that he wrote hymns as well? Today, Stephen Nichols discusses several of these hymns. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29360763

The Second Great Awakening Overlook 01/17/2024

The Second Great Awakening Overlook What took place during the Second Great Awakening? Today, Stephen Nichols offers a bird's-eye view of this significant movement in 19th-century America. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29360663

Asahel Nettleton 01/10/2024

Asahel Nettleton When health challenges stopped Asahel Nettleton from becoming an overseas missionary, he took his ministry local. Today, Stephen Nichols recounts the life of a lesser-known yet influential 1800s evangelist. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29307983

1827 01/03/2024

1827 When Charles Finney introduced his "New Measures" for practicing Christianity, a group of ministers met to discuss their concerns. Today, Stephen Nichols sets the scene for the New Lebanon Conference of 1827. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29307823

5 New Year’s Resolutions 12/27/2023

5 New Year’s Resolutions At the start of a new year, many people like to set goals for the year ahead. Today, Stephen Nichols shares several of Jonathan Edwards' life resolutions, made when he was a young man far from home. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29098138

Three Christmas Greetings 12/20/2023

Three Christmas Greetings The message of Christmas is rich with the good news of Jesus Christ. Today, Stephen Nichols brings us Christmas greetings from three individuals in church history: Augustine, Martin Luther, and D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29098028

London on Location: St. Giles Cripplegate 12/13/2023

London on Location: St. Giles Cripplegate St. Giles Cripplegate church is home to more than 1,000 years of church history. Today, Stephen Nichols is on location in London, discussing the many notable figures who ministered at or attended this historic church. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/29040163

London on Location: The English Reformation in 5 Acts 12/06/2023

London on Location: The English Reformation in 5 Acts Iconic sites from church history can be found around many corners of the city of London. Today, Stephen Nichols is on location to discuss five acts of legislation that shaped the English Reformation. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/28951358

London on Location: The Great Awakening in London 11/29/2023

London on Location: The Great Awakening in London During the Great Awakening in England, God used faithful preachers to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Today, Stephen Nichols introduces us to several prominent figures from this period of church history. Read the transcript: A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: Explore all of our podcasts: /episode/index/show/5minutesinchurchhistory/id/28546520

5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

TOPICS