Many of the hymns we know and love are paired with classical tunes. Today, Stephen Nichols explores how compositions from Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn, and others have shaped our beloved hymns. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/classical-tunes-for-classic-hymns/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

At the Diet of Worms, Martin Luther boldly affirmed Scripture’s authority over all else—including church councils and papal decrees. Today, Stephen Nichols examines this pivotal moment and Luther’s final words, “We are beggars. This is true.” Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/luther-in-5-sayings-defender-of-scripture/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our...

Martin Luther’s journey from monk to Reformer was shaped by a spiritual transformation. Today, Stephen Nichols explores Luther’s early life, including a vow made during a storm and his realization that salvation comes through Christ alone. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/luther-in-5-sayings-convicted-monk/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts:...

Zion Presbyterian Church, founded by John Lafayette Girardeau in 1858, was one of the first integrated congregations in the American South. Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of a historic church in "The Holy City," Charleston, South Carolina. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/zion-presbyterian-church/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts:...

Jonathan Edwards was known for his deep reflections on God’s mercy, sovereignty, and providence. Today, Stephen Nichols examines Edwards’ sermons and writings on these key doctrines. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/edwards-in-5-sayings-key-doctrines/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Jonathan Edwards was a prominent figure in American theology. Today, Stephen Nichols examines Edwards’ reflections on God’s creation, his exaltation of God’s sovereignty, and his heart for sinners in need of Christ’s mercy. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/edwards-in-5-sayings-american-theologian/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts:...

During a period of theological upheaval, J. Gresham Machen firmly defended Christian orthodoxy. Today, Stephen Nichols highlights Machen’s commitment to doctrine, his awe at God’s majesty, and his hope in the active obedience of Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/machen-in-5-sayings-defender-of-orthodoxy/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our...

J. Gresham Machen stood as a stalwart defender of Christian orthodoxy in the early 20th century. Today, Stephen Nichols explores key quotes that reveal the courage and scholarship that defined Machen’s lasting impact on the church. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/machen-in-5-sayings-courageous-scholar/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts:...

Throughout his ministry, R.C. Sproul made theology accessible by applying the deep truths of the Christian faith to everyday life. Today, Stephen Nichols attempts to summarize Dr. Sproul’s major ideas into five key phrases. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/rc-sproul-in-5-sayings/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts:...

Which of Augustine’s teachings and ideas have had a lasting impact on the church? Today, Stephen Nichols explores Augustine’s theological thought through five key sayings from his most influential works. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/augustine-in-5-sayings/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Apocalypse Tapestry was created to teach a mostly illiterate audience about the book of Revelation. Today, Stephen Nichols highlights how biblical storytelling and medieval artistry are combined in this tapestry to instruct and inspire. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-meaning-of-the-apocalypse-tapestry/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Commissioned by Louis I and completed in 1382, the massive Apocalypse Tapestry is a visual representation of the book of Revelation. Today, Stephen Nichols discusses the creation of this masterpiece and its eventual restoration after surviving damage during the French War. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-history-of-the-apocalypse-tapestry/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our...

Jonathan Edwards quickly noticed corruption in the school intended to teach Native American children in Stockbridge, MA. Today, Stephen Nichols explains the dramatic events that transpired around this conflict. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/august-1752/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What was happening in Jonathan Edwards' life in the summer of 1751? Today, Stephen Nichols describes how Edwards was a missionary to the English and Native American people in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/august-1751/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

After her husband suffered a fatal heart attack, Catherine Marshall wrote a bestselling book about his life that was later turned into a film. Today, Stephen Nichols recounts Peter Marshall's days of faithful service to the Lord. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-movie-of-1955/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In 1649, a book and an act of parliament had a significant impact on the spread of the gospel in New England. Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about these two important contributions that occurred in the same year. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/a-book-and-an-act-of-parliament-1649/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In 1966, more than 2,500 people from 150 different countries gathered in Lausanne, Switzerland, for an international congress on global missions. Today, Stephen Nichols takes us back to this remarkable 10-day gathering. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-lausanne-congress/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Margery Kempe is known for her daring travels around the world and her writings about them. Today, Stephen Nichols takes us on the adventures of this English mystic from the Middle Ages. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/margery-kempes-pilgrimage/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What led James Woodrow to be let go from Columbia Theological Seminary in the 1880s? Today, Stephen Nichols tells us about Woodrow's controversial beliefs on the theory of evolution. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/controversy-in-columbia/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

When the pressure of his busy schedule weighed on him, Charles Spurgeon would escape to the woods for rest. Today, Stephen Nichols reads from several of Spurgeon's reflections on peaceful times in nature. Read the transcript: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/stopping-by-a-wood-with-spurgeon/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

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: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-600th-episode/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

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: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/5-things-everyone-should-know-about-john-owen/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

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: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/5-books-for-summer-reading/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

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: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/owens-two-catechisms/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts