Many people would rather stick a pencil into their eye than
to read a book of history. That
really is a shame, because history helps us to understand where we have been
and how that affects where and who we are now. Christians, especially, are a historically based
people. To really understand
Christianity, it is necessary to learn about the mindset and history of a world
almost totally alien to our modern world but on which our modern world is
based.
All Christians worldwide are part of the same family. All those who belong to Jesus, have the
Mind of Christ. Yet, often, we
misunderstand one another. How
much does a Christian in Norway know about Christians in China? How much does a Christian in Belarus
know about Christians in Greece?
Do you know about the military saints or the Fools for Christ? How much do we know about Christians in
other religious traditions existing side by side with us in our own home areas?
In the United States, how much do white Christians know
about black Christians and vice versa?
We have lived together for four hundred years but many whites have never
been into a black church and many blacks have never been into a white church. Study of books such as An Encyclopedia
of African American Christian Heritage (Judson Press, 2002) can help us understand
one another.
The book by Marvin A. McMickle is divided into chapters of
short essays on the following subjects: Denominational Founders and Leaders,
Preachers, Teachers and Scholars, Politicians, Prophets, Nationalists, Cult
Leaders, Singers and Songwriters, and Movements, Terms, and Events. Good historical studies do not turn
away from discussing the unpleasant along with the positive and this book
exposes the warts along with the beauty. I heartily recommend this interesting and useful book.
Posts
