MA (Church History/Historical Theology)

Examining church history at LCU has been instrumental for my faith and education. Seeing how the church has responded to the gospel over time not only helps me make sense of Christianity today, but also helps me to be more prepared to lead the church tomorrow. With my education I hope to learn from mistakes of the past and capitalize on how the faithful have succeeded in following God. My time at Lincoln Christian Seminary is helping me to see how God continually raises up workers to bring His kingdom to the world in each succeeding generation.

My work in Church History/Historical Theology under Dr. Bob Rea profoundly impacted my view of the church, spirituality, and practical ministry. Under his patient guidance, I grew to love the church more deeply and practice my own spirituality more dynamically. Furthermore, my own ministry to students was put in the perspective of great thinkers like Augustine, Thomas à Kempis, and Martin Luther. A previously foggy understanding of the legacy of the church through the ages was made more clear, and I gained access to ancient insights that are just as valuable today as they were when first recorded by their authors. Perhaps most importantly, I did not simply learn facts. Instead, with Dr. Rea’s unique teaching style providing the framework, I learned to think in new ways. My processes of observation, critique, and methodology were permanently affected. I no longer see the church, society, or myself the way I once did. My education, full of individual and community learning settings, transformed me.

Lincoln Christian University provided me with the tools to work at the intersection of Christ and culture in a key point in our world, the secular university campus. I am grateful for the knowledge of scripture, theology and church history I acquired at Lincoln, as well as the tools that have enabled me to be a lifelong learner and continue to learn after graduation. Perhaps even more than that, I am grateful for the example of professors who showed ministry is not just about knowledge, but is about loving and serving those we come in contact with.

I had high expectations as I entered the church history/ historical theology program at Lincoln Christian Seminary. Upon completion of my degree, I can say with confidence that I gained much more than I could have ever dreamed during my time as a student, both academically and spiritually. Dr. Rea’s passion for the subject is evident in every aspect of his teaching. My personal devotional life has been forever impacted by his challenge to learn from spiritual masters throughout history. Both in and out of class, he encouraged me to think as an individual and to engage in the material being presented. In each step of the academic process, I was challenged to view theology from a historical perspective. As I began to understand the development of doctrine and the evolution of religious movements and theological positions, my own faith was challenged as well. I was forced to seek answers for questions that I had never asked before. Through this journey, class discussions provided a time to engage in genuine dialogue with Dr. Rea and other students who were also seeing how church history matters in their own lives and ministries. I am honored to say that I had the opportunity to be impacted by Dr. Rea and that my life is changed because of my time as a student at Lincoln Christian Seminary.

At LCU I learned to think and live my life along with the Church, through the ages, and for today. My theological and philosophical horizons were greatly expanded and enriched in terms of exposure, access, and personal development in the vast riches of the Christian tradition…. I have been prepared for my doctoral education and whatever lies ahead as a Christian leader in the world today.