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Mar 22, 2026 · 1h 22m
From congregational autonomy to regional presbyteries to episcopal oversight, Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller explain the scriptural reasoning and practical structures that shape how ecclesiology…
Mar 15, 2026 · 44 min
Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller evaluate theological answers generated by ChatGPT and discuss how to engage people who are outsourcing life's biggest questions to AI. PARTNER WITH US -…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Mar 11, 2026 · 5 min
Who was John Cotton, and why was he such an influential Puritan pastor? Today, Stephen Nichols welcomes Stephen Yuille to discuss several key facts about Cotton's life, ministry, and legacy. Read the transcript:…
Mar 8, 2026 · 42 min
How are social media platforms shaping women's beliefs about identity, faith, and the good life? Mary Van Weelden joins Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller to examine influential online trends and compare…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Mar 4, 2026 · 5 min
Adoniram Judson lived by the conviction that missionary service required total dedication. Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of how God sustained Judson through danger, imprisonment, and loss to bring the gospel to the people of…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Feb 25, 2026 · 5 min
How did a sudden storm and a simple prayer meeting spark a global missions movement? Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of the Haystack Prayer Meeting and the five college students whose faith helped shape American foreign missions.…
Feb 22, 2026 · 48 min
How has Nietzsche's philosophy gained traction online and in the hearts and minds of young men? Caleb Wait joins Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller to trace the philosophical roots of the RedPill and…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Feb 18, 2026 · 5 min
What do definitions of words like "truth" and "theology" reveal about a person's beliefs? Today, Stephen Nichols revisits Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary and its deep Christian roots. Read the transcript:…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Feb 11, 2026 · 5 min
An encounter with Christ struck Paul blind. When he couldn't see anything else, Paul finally saw Jesus for who He really is. Today, Stephen Nichols revisits the year 401, when Augustine delivered a marvelous sermon on Paul's conversion.…
Feb 8, 2026 · 50 min
Adam Francisco from 1517 joins Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller to discuss how Muslim apologists are using YouTube and social media to reach a new generation. They examine some of the most common…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Feb 4, 2026 · 5 min
Some years stand out in church history: 325, 1054, 1517. But the year 401 is more obscure. Today, Stephen Nichols takes us to a time when Augustine helped Christians in Carthage navigate conflict in the church and pressure from the world.…
Feb 1, 2026 · 45 min
Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller answer audience questions on Jonathan Edwards, deliverance ministries, dispensationalism, infant baptism, recommended reading, and more. PARTNER WITH US -…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jan 28, 2026 · 5 min
Who was Noah Webster, beyond the dictionary that bears his name? Today, Stephen Nichols explores Webster's influence on American language and how his Christian convictions shaped both his life and his work. Read the transcript:…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jan 21, 2026 · 5 min
How did Methodism spread across the American frontier? Today, Stephen Nichols looks at the lives of circuit riders who carried Methodism westward. Read the transcript:…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jan 14, 2026 · 5 min
How did a small group of Oxford students shape a global movement? Today, Stephen Nichols traces the early roots of Methodism, from high moral standards and revival preaching to its growth in Great Britain and colonial America. Read the…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jan 7, 2026 · 5 min
What prompted Jonathan Edwards to publish a collection of sermons during a period of spiritual decline? Today, Stephen Nichols looks at Edwards' Discourses on Various Important Subjects and the pastoral concerns that shaped this…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Dec 31, 2025 · 5 min
Looking for a meaningful way to start the new year? Today, Stephen Nichols offers five practical suggestions for diving deeper into church history in 2026. Read the transcript:…
Dec 28, 2025 · 51 min
PARTNER WITH US - https://solamedia.org/partner/?sc=AS2502V When you become a partner today, you'll receive two remarkable books as our thanks: Rediscovering the Holy Spirit by Dr. Michael Horton and Praying with Jesus by Pastor Adriel…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Dec 24, 2025 · 5 min
Why is the incarnation at the center of our hope as Christians? Today, Stephen Nichols looks to Jonathan Edwards' sermon on Revelation 5, reflecting on the humility and majesty of Jesus' birth. Read the transcript:…
Dec 21, 2025 · 45 min
Sophia Holcomb joins Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller to explore how C. S. Lewis portrays a theology of creation, sin, redemption, sanctification, and new creation throughout The Chronicles of Narnia. From…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Dec 17, 2025 · 5 min
In the 1700s, Delaware witnessed powerful movements that shaped American Christianity. Today, Stephen Nichols continues exploring this colony's church history, from George Whitefield's Great Awakening preaching to the rise of Methodism.…
Dec 14, 2025 · 46 min
Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller explore Galatians 4–6, unpacking Paul's contrast between the Covenant of Works, the Covenant of Grace, and the New Covenant, as well as the freedom of life in the Spirit,…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Dec 10, 2025 · 5 min
Though Delaware is small, its church history is rich. Today, Stephen Nichols explores how this middle colony was shaped by William Penn's vision of religious freedom, Anglican and Swedish influences, and enduring places of worship that…
Dec 7, 2025 · 45 min
Many have criticized the Reformation's understanding of justification, claiming it is either overstated or fundamentally mistaken. In this episode, Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller walk through Galatians…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Dec 3, 2025 · 5 min
On November 5, 1605, a plot to destroy England's Parliament was foiled. Today, Stephen Nichols reflects on how this event has reminded generations to give glory to God for His providential deliverance. Read the transcript:…
Nov 30, 2025 · 41 min
Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller play a fun game ranking theologians through church history. PARTNER WITH US - https://solamedia.org/partner/?sc=AS2502V When you become a partner today, you'll receive two…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Nov 26, 2025 · 5 min
What shaped the Thanksgiving holiday as we know it? Today, Stephen Nichols explores the holiday's roots in colonial America, significant presidential proclamations, and enduring reflections on gratitude drawn from great figures in church…
Nov 23, 2025 · 52 min
Neo-Orthodoxy, fundamentalism, and the black church. Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller explore the important figures who resisted or compromised with theological liberalism in the early 20th-century.…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Nov 19, 2025 · 5 min
John Newton preached three sermons on the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. Today, Stephen Nichols explores how Newton used these sermons to remind believers that Christ reigns as King of kings and calls all people to repent and…
Nov 16, 2025 · 43 min
What do Charles Finney, Ellen G. White, and Joseph Smith have in common? They come from the "Burned-Over District." From revival tents to utopian communes, Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller explore how…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Nov 12, 2025 · 5 min
Though few know his name, many know his work. Today, Stephen Nichols introduces Charles Jennens, who compiled the biblical texts for Handel's Messiah to proclaim Christ's glory and defend the truth against deism. Read the transcript:…
Nov 9, 2025 · 41 min
Meet Friedrich Schleiermacher, the "Father of Modern Liberal Theology." Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller explain how Romanticism, culture, and personal doubt shaped Schleiermacher's theology and how he…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Nov 5, 2025 · 5 min
Amid persecution and turmoil, Cyprian of Carthage stood firm in his faith and led the church with wisdom. Today, Stephen Nichols reflects on Cyprian's call for unity, repentance, and steadfast faith in times of suffering. Read the…
Nov 2, 2025 · 45 min
Pietism promised renewal but redefined the teachings of the Reformation. Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller trace how Pietism's focus on heartfelt devotion replaced the Reformation's core doctrines, paved…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Oct 29, 2025 · 5 min
The third century brought afflictions, instability, and opposition for Christians in the Roman Empire. Today, Stephen Nichols examines how the Lord preserved His church in the midst of these adversities. Read the transcript:…
Oct 26, 2025 · 45 min
Is Anglicanism merely a "via media" without convictions? Was Cranmer only Henry's pawn? This conversation shows the depth of Anglican theology, the doctrinal weight of the Prayer Book, and the enduring mission of a communion shaped by the…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Oct 22, 2025 · 5 min
What can archaeology teach us about the world of the Bible and the early church? Today, Stephen Nichols highlights how archeological discoveries bring historical context to the life and faith of God's people. Read the transcript:…
Oct 19, 2025 · 43 min
Baptists are often dismissed as anti-creedal individualists or confused Anabaptists. Walter Strickland shows instead their rich protestant heritage and why their convictions are not merely sectarian. PARTNER WITH US -…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Oct 15, 2025 · 5 min
In AD 230, Christians in Galilee left behind a remarkable testimony to their faith in Christ. Today, Stephen Nichols examines the Megiddo Mosaic, uncovering five insights it provides into early church life. Read the transcript:…
Oct 12, 2025 · 43 min
Calvin was no tyrant presiding over a joyless Geneva. Nor was predestination the "center" of his theology. Michael Horton helps to unpack the true heart of Reformed teaching: union with Christ, God's glory in salvation, and a vision of…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Oct 8, 2025 · 5 min
What did the earliest Christian churches look like? Today, Stephen Nichols traces their history and introduces the Megiddo Mosaic, the floor of one of the oldest church buildings ever discovered. Read the transcript:…
Oct 5, 2025 · 45 min
Luther wasn't a mad monk or the founder of "individualism." Flawed though he was, he was a pastor-theologian gripped by the gospel. Bob Hiller helps clear away caricatures of antinomianism, antisemitism, and profligate monk, setting the…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Oct 1, 2025 · 5 min
Why did many of the Reformers identify the pope as the antichrist? Today, Stephen Nichols continues his survey of Christian views on the antichrist and interpretations of the number 666, moving from the Reformation to the present day.…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Sep 24, 2025 · 5 min
Who is the antichrist? The beast? The man of lawlessness? Today on episode 666 of the podcast, Stephen Nichols explores how several church fathers and medieval theologians wrestled with these questions—and whom they named as the…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Sep 17, 2025 · 5 min
Have you read My Utmost for His Highest? And did you know it was published 10 years after its author died? Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of Oswald Chambers and his wife Biddy, whose copious notes from Oswald's sermons turned into…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Sep 10, 2025 · 5 min
In addition to being our Redeemer, Jesus is our perfect example for the Christian life. Today, Stephen Nichols considers a stirring sermon that B.B. Warfield preached on the humble, self-sacrificial life that Christ modeled for us. Read…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Sep 3, 2025 · 5 min
What can sermons from over a century ago teach us today? Today, Stephen Nichols introduces The Savior of the World by B.B. Warfield, a collection of Christ-centered sermons that invite us to marvel at the good news of the gospel. Read the…
Aug 31, 2025 · 46 min
FREE BOOKLET - https://solamedia.org/offers/thewarwecantsee/ This essential guide examines what the Bible actually teaches about Satan, demons, and spiritual warfare. Michael Horton and Justin Holcomb speak with Joseph Byamukama and…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Aug 27, 2025 · 5 min
What is sin, and why must we take it seriously? Today, Stephen Nichols highlights Not the Way It's Supposed to Be by Cornelius Plantinga Jr., a book that explores the biblical view of sin and our deep need for God's redeeming grace. Read…
Aug 24, 2025 · 45 min
Recording from East Africa, Michael Horton and Justin Holcomb consider how Christians today can discern between true and false spiritual influences. Drawing from 1 John, the hosts discuss how orthodoxy is spiritual warfare, how Western…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Aug 20, 2025 · 5 min
What does it mean to live in community with other Christians? Today, Stephen Nichols explores the wisdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together, offering insights into how believers grow together in grace under God's Word. Read the…
Aug 17, 2025 · 46 min
FREE BOOKLET - https://solamedia.org/offers/thewarwecantsee/ This essential guide examines what the Bible actually teaches about Satan, demons, and spiritual warfare. The hosts have an eye-opening interview with author Ashley Lande about…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Aug 13, 2025 · 5 min
Why study church history? Today, Stephen Nichols celebrates the twelfth anniversary of 5 Minutes in Church History by reflecting on twelve ways church history has enriched his faith and deepened his understanding of God's work through the…
Aug 10, 2025 · 42 min
Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller take a theological and biblical deep dive on demons. Drawing from Scripture and the Reformers, the hosts outline the origin, activity, and limits of demonic forces. FREE BOOKLET -…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Aug 6, 2025 · 5 min
What's on your reading list? Today, Stephen Nichols introduces On the Incarnation by Athanasius, a timeless book defending the deity of Christ and the hope of the resurrection. Read the transcript:…
Aug 3, 2025 · 41 min
Are angels real, personal beings or just ghosts from bygone eras? Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller unpack biblical texts, theological insights from the Reformation, and discuss the role of angels as messengers, ministers,…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jul 30, 2025 · 5 min
What can a map teach us about the Bible? Today, Stephen Nichols explains how understanding Scripture's geography can deepen our grasp of redemptive history. Read the transcript:…
Jul 27, 2025 · 39 min
Bishop Barron argues that the Reformation's legacy is 30,000 denominations and doctrinal chaos. Is Protestantism fatally fractured? Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb address the charge of division by…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jul 23, 2025 · 5 min
Jonathan Edwards' writings reveal profound insights into theology, philosophy, and the human condition. Today, Stephen Nichols explores the rich content of Edwards' works and explains why his writings are still relevant to the church…
Jul 20, 2025 · 40 min
Does sola scriptura lead to chaos and individualism? Catholic theologian John Bergsma and Catholic podcaster Matt Fradd claim that rejecting the magisterium leaves Protestants without interpretive authority. Michael Horton, Bob Hiller,…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jul 16, 2025 · 5 min
In his first published sermon, Jonathan Edwards emphasized the glory of God in redemption. Today, Stephen Nichols revisits this early message to reflect on our need for dependence on Christ and the grace that secures our salvation. Read…
Jul 13, 2025 · 43 min
Responding to Bishop Robert Barron's interpretation of Paul and James, Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb walk through the biblical case for justification as a forensic, declarative act. The hosts contrast…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jul 9, 2025 · 5 min
What books have most shaped your faith? Today, Stephen Nichols continues his conversation with Joel Kim as he adds more titles to his deserted island library, each offering timeless encouragement for the Christian life. Read the…
Jul 6, 2025 · 42 min
Catholic apologist Trent Horn argues that sola fide leads to spiritual insecurity and confusion about salvation. Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb respond and share what the Reformers meant by "faith…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jul 2, 2025 · 5 min
If you could take only five books to a deserted island, which would you choose? Today, Joel Kim joins Stephen Nichols to share titles he'd bring, and what they reveal about leadership, perseverance, and history. Read the transcript:…
Jun 29, 2025 · 39 min
What makes someone a Christian? Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb show how the Nicene Creed draws a clear line between true faith and false gospels—then and now. From ancient heresies to modern distortions,…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jun 25, 2025 · 5 min
What makes a great preacher? Today, Stephen Nichols is joined by Derek Thomas to reflect on the life and legacy of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a medical-doctor-turned-pastor whose powerful preaching marked the church in the 20th century. Read the…
Jun 22, 2025 · 40 min
What does it mean for Protestants to believe in "one holy catholic church"? Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb unpack how the Reformers saw themselves as truly catholic—distinct from Roman claims and from…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jun 18, 2025 · 5 min
What impact did the 1904 Welsh Revival have on the church and on culture? Today, Stephen Nichols is joined by Derek Thomas to reflect on this remarkable season of gospel awakening in Wales and how its legacy endures today. Read the…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jun 11, 2025 · 5 min
Augustine's legacy is well known, but what about his closest friend? Today, Stephen Nichols introduces us to Alypius, a faithful companion who walked alongside Augustine from their days as students to bishops in neighboring towns. Read…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Jun 4, 2025 · 5 min
Behind several well-known names in church history stand faithful brothers whose stories are often untold. Today, Stephen Nichols shares how these men, though less recognized, played meaningful roles in the life of the church. Read the…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
May 28, 2025 · 5 min
What was it like to grow up in a missionary home on the edge of the American frontier? Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of Esther and Jonathan Edwards Jr., two of Jonathan Edwards' children, and their unforgettable years in…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
May 21, 2025 · 5 min
What was trending in the 18th century? Today, Stephen Nichols walks through five key developments that shaped the church, including revival, hymnody, and the early sparks of global missions. Read the transcript:…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
May 14, 2025 · 5 min
John Witherspoon was an integral figure in American Presbyterianism. Today, Stephen Nichols and Kevin DeYoung explore this Scottish pastor's legacy as a theologian, patriot, and president of Princeton University. Read the transcript:…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
May 7, 2025 · 5 min
What would you read on a deserted island? Today, Stephen Nichols is joined by Dr. Kevin DeYoung to discuss five of his most treasured books—each reflecting his love for theology, church history, and pastoral ministry. Read the transcript:…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Apr 30, 2025 · 5 min
Raymond Lull devoted his life to proclaiming the gospel to Muslims and Jews. Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of this medieval missionary whose love for Christ led him to a ministry of study, debate, and bold witness. Read the…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Apr 23, 2025 · 5 min
Raised in India and trained in London, Dr. Paul Brand combined medical skill with gentle compassion. Today, Stephen Nichols explores how this missionary doctor's care for leprosy patients reflected the heart of Christ. Read the…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Apr 16, 2025 · 5 min
In the early days of the Reformation, not all voices were united. Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of the Zwickau Prophets, a group of radical preachers whose mystical and apocalyptic teachings clashed with Martin Luther's…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Apr 9, 2025 · 5 min
On December 27, 1657, a group of Dutch colonists in New Netherland took a stand for religious liberty. Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of the Flushing Remonstrance, one of the earliest American documents to defend religious…
5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols
Apr 2, 2025 · 5 min
Isaac Watts' influence extends far beyond the hymns he penned. Today, Stephen Nichols reflects on five powerful sayings from Watts, revealing his deep theological insight and enduring impact on Christian worship. Read the transcript:…