Dwarfs On The Shoulders Of Giants -- By: Alan W. Gomes

Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 01:1 (Winter 1991)
Article: Dwarfs On The Shoulders Of Giants
Author: Alan W. Gomes


Dwarfs On The Shoulders Of Giants

Alan W. Gomes1

The Value Of Historical Theology For Today

Chauvinism of the present. That is the expression I use to describe the attitude which assumes that we are the best and brightest generation of Christians. Chauvinism of the present says, “we have got it all together, so we do not need to consider what anyone before us has had to say about Christian truth.” Those who are infected with this attitude act as if God stopped working in history shortly after the death of the Apostle John and began again only in recent times.

I teach the historical theology courses at Talbot School of Theology. Many students approach a history class with the enthusiasm they have for a visit to the dentist. So I take the bull by the horns and begin the semester by asking the class, “Why study historical theology? After all, you could be at the beach instead of sitting here.” Now, I believe in the total depravity of seminary students, and I know that most of the students sitting in front of me are not there for the sheer joy of historical inquiry. Therefore, I start the ball rolling by giving one obvious answer: “You cannot get a degree from Talbot without these courses!” All heads nod in vigorous assent.

“But,” I ask, “could there possibly be more noble reasons? Is there a chance that you might benefit significantly from courses in historical theology? Can they make you more effective in your ministry? In your own walk with the Lord?”

Let me suggest a few benefits of seriously considering the great thinkers of the past, thus avoiding the chauvinism of the present.

We Learn From Past Mistakes

A knowledge of historical theology can help us identify and refute false teaching. As Talbot’s Dr. Henry Holloman has stated in his inimitable Southern style, “The teachings of the new cults are really just old heresies dressed up in space suits.” Robert and Gretchen Passantino, experts in the field of religious cults, observe, “almost every doctrinal deviation held by the cults today was held by other cults in the first four or five centuries of the Christian church. Reading an account of the heresies in the early church reads like a catalog of the beliefs of the major cults today.”2

The church rose to the challenge of false teaching and refuted early “isms” like Gnosticism, modalism, Arianism and Pelagianism. In studying the writings of church fathers like Augustine, Tertullian, Irenaeus, and Athanasius, one can discover much good “ammunition” for re...

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