The Importance of a Christian View Of History

I have been studying Galatians for our home group and been drawing mainly on Stott's commentary as well as Ryken's.

In Gal. 3 Paul, in the span of eight short verses, summarizes about 2000 years of biblical history as he teaches about the purpose of the promise to Abraham, the law given to Moses and the fulfillment of Jesus Christ.

Stott comments on page 92 of his commentary:

"There is a great need in the church today for a biblical , Christin philosophy of history. Most of us are short-sighted and narrow-minded. We are so preoccupied with current affairs in the twentieth century, that neither the past nor the future has any great interest for us. We cannot see the wood from the trees. We need to step back and try and take in the whole counsel of God, His everlasting purpose to redeem a people for Himself through Jesus Christ. Our philosophy of history must make room not only for the centuries after Christ but for Adam, through whom sin and judgment entered the world, and for Christ, through whom salvation has come. If we include the beginning of history, we must include its consummation also, when Christ returns in power and great glory, to take His power and reign. The God revealed in the Bible is working to a plan. He 'accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will' (Eph. 1:11)"