Plz, plz plz plz plz plz plz someone answer this question!?

It's absolutely important; you can see what horrors Christians have committed throughout the ages, (and realize that faith is not synonymous with morality) with a few Mother Theresas thrown in there to balance things out.

One of the most important writings in history for a Christian is Foxe's Book of Martyrs. In it, you will find the mistakes made by those professing to be Christian, and also the fact that there have been worse times than our own in which to be a Christian. You will learn about faith, in that it can take torture, it can be called faith and be an urighteous act ( the Roman Catholic Inquisitions called the persecution of Protestants and others an 'auto de fe', an act of faith).

Like all history, it is a chance to learn from the mistakes of the past. It is a chance to see why the Founding Fathers of America sought to keep religion and government as apart as possible. Having as little to do with one another as possible.

So learning history will show you what not to do, and hopefully give you an understanding that a lot of people here don't have a clue of.

It is very true that many horrors have been committed through the ages in the name of Christianity. Learning about these things I believe is important though, as well as just Christian history as a whole.

One must keep a few things in mind however while studying this history. For one, simply because something is done in the name of Christianity, or by someone claiming to be a Christian, does not mean that it is good, (obviously,) or that God is behind it. The word "Christian" is not a magic word, like "open sesame." Simply saying it or using it as a justification doesn't force God to approve - we can't put God in a box.

Also, true Christianity is very different in my opinion from what most people view it as. What the whole of the Bible message declares as Christianity is a relationship with God, not a system to be followed or an organization to bend one's will too. Since true Christianity is a relationship with God, it can also be characterized as a journey; specifically a journey towards getting closer and closer relationally to a Heavenly Father who desperately loves you.

Since it is a journey, every single person in a relationship with God will have a very unique experience. Just like we can't put God in a box, we can't put the Christian "experience" in a box; God has a specific plan for each and every one of His children.

That being said, keep it mind while studying the history of Christianity. Yes, you will find lots of things that will be done by people only claiming to be Christians. But you will find many wonderful things as well. People like George Muller, Fanny Crosby, Jim Elliot and many others will have stories that uplift and encourage. That is one reason why studying the history is important, it can show you a glimpse of WHY these people did the things that they did, it can portray a small picture of what it means to have a relationship with God.

But remember, every person's individual journey, no matter what they believe, is going to be different. So don't let history dictate how you must live or be if what you are studying doesn't give you insight to who you are personally. If it does, wonderful! But not every story will reach you and affect you the way it may reach and affect another.

Basically, don't have any expectations. If you want a relationship with Father, if you want to go on an incredible journey with Him, trust Him and listen, He will take you down a path you could never have imagined, because it will be unique to you!

I think it is just really interesting to learn about the past of christianity. The bible shows and tells us how jesus taught, lived and loved. The same too goes for the christians in the early church, shortly after Jesus' resurrection. Some of the letters or writings in the new testament were written by those who had seen, heard and/or lived with him.

Apart from the bible, there are other historical writings (including non christians), who confirm Jesus' ministry and the things which happened in his time. They explain all the political unrest at that time and the tension between the Roman Empire and the oppressed Jewish people.

Of course over the time of history, there have been many who have killed in the name of Christ, who are clearly wrong, misguided and by there actions confirm that they were NOT "for Christ".

It is a very shallow and immature argument that some have given that say "look at all the evil things christians have done in history." As in all and every group of people, whether they are black, white, muslim, christian, atheist, agnostic, american, british etc. etc.. there are always those who do evil things, in the name of culture differences, religion, greed, hatred, superiority, intolerance etc.. It is NONSENCE to say that christianity is evil, because of those that have killed in the name of Christ. Just as today there are those who may give a different religion or country a bad reputation, because of a "leader(s)" who is/are corrupt or misguided.

There are those who believe that Jesus did not exist. However there are those who proclaim the holocaust never existed too! Just keep away from nonsense.

My advice is, it will enrich your understanding about christianity. It has enhanced my understanding of the bible, and increased my faith loads. The bible is one of the best history books. In the new testament is full of letters and teachings, which were directed at the jews and gentiles and shows how the new name of "christian" was given to those who followed the teachings of Christ (the promised Messiah, prophesized in the old testament) in the first churches which were set up very soon after Jesus' resurrection, some of them had know Jesus and were true to his teachings of love, grace, hope, faith etc.. Today, we are still learning from the teachings of the bible. God bless X

I believe it is important to learn about the history of

Christianity for anyone considering it. There have been many influences over history that have changed the path of Christianity.

On the other hand, a pure belief is great for some time if it really does set one free and allows them to be fully human and choosing without condemnation.

It is not only important about the history but with the culture of

the time as well. That's why it says "To the Jew first, then the

Greek". Once I began to get a handle on the Jewish culture,

and why they did what they did, and do as they do the rest of

the bible really opens up and comes alive.

Try these: Christianbook.com has great books on history and

culture.

I also like listening to a guy named Chuck Smith of Calvary

Chapel in Costa Mesa, CA. You can listen to him on MP3

or live stream over the internet. He is perhaps one of the best

bible expositors alive today. Please, please give him a

listen. The name of the program is "The Word for Today".

He really has a handle on the history and culture and he

goes through the bible book by book, chapter on chapter,

line by line, word per word.

Just do these things with a sincere heart and the Lord will

bless you as He did me.

xx,

Least

Christianity is heavily engrained into culture. Anytime you want to learn about culture, you must dive into its history to see how and why its been shaped into what we see today.

At the same time, its easy to argue the opposite. The nature of Christianity is that it is relevant not just yesterday, but today and tomorrow. So, how its been practiced has no effect on the Absolute Truth that through faith in God we can be saved. The Bible stands on its own in any time, and its teaching principles do not need to be set in the era it was written. It's written for all generations.

Good luck!

You should always learn about the past, it puts the present in perspective. Religion can be a sticky subject sometimes, people literally put their heart and souls into their beliefs. There are a lot of interesting and important details about christianity that can help a person more fully connect with their faith (assuming it is their faith).

There is never anything to gain by hiding the truth of the past, nor anything to lose by exposing it. One cannot find enlightenment in ignorance.

If you study the past of any religion you might find that it's roots are at odds with it's present day teaching . This may very well invalidate some of the claim to a connection with it's "God" .

For instance study the history surrounding the birth of Lutherism and you could very well determine that the Catholic Church is a religion that could not be supported by God ( if he existed , but which there is no proof of ) .

The past is never as important as the present. The history of Christianity is only important if you make a living contribution to it now, and be a faithful servant for future generations.