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2019.11

Podcast Throwback: How to Become A Good Historian

, · June 14, 2022

How should Christians think about the past? Of course, some historical events are unavoidably important for the Christian. Our faith is, after all, a historical faith, hinging ultimately on the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ—the historical figure. But what about other events in history? Is the past worth consulting for the future? Should we not think simply about progressing forward?

C.S. Lewis used to warn his readers about the vice of “chronological snobbery,” which assumes that the present is superior to the past by default. Important for cultivating vigilance against the vice of “chronological snobbery” is the habit of becoming a good historian. In this episode of the Credo Podcast, Matthew Barrett interviews historian Thomas Kidd about what makes a good historian.

Matthew Barrett

Matthew Barrett is the editor-in-chief of Credo Magazine, director of the Center for Classical Theology, and host of the Credo podcast. He is professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the author of several books, including Simply Trinity, which won the Christianity Today Book of the Year Award in Theology/Ethics. His new book is called The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. He is currently writing a Systematic Theology with Baker Academic.

Thomas S. Kidd

Thomas S. Kidd is the Vardaman Distinguished Professor of History at Baylor University. He also serves as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Church History at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Kidd is the author of several books including George Whitefield: America’s Spiritual Founding Father (Yale University Press, 2014).

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