Inviting people to know Jesus
by telling stories from the past.

The Christian faith is more than 2000 years old, but often we forget the lives of those who came before us–who modeled for us the way to live as Jesus taught us to live. No one is perfect, but life is about decisions. As a Christian, the call is to "take up your cross" as the Gospel teaches. Work Out Your Faith wants to better showcase the great cloud of witnesses who believed and provided their lives as a pointer to Jesus. Some are famous; some are not.

Guiding Principles

“History” is not a synonym for “the past.” The past refers to what happened. Doing history is the act of reconstructing past worlds in light of available evidence and best practices defined by the discipline. The guiding principles below are meant to help in this endeavor and are based on the “5 C’s” of historical thinking: Context, complexity, continency, change over time, and causation. 

The past is foreign to us and must be understood in context.  
Contrary to popular notions, the past does not repeat itself. Although we see similarities or ways in which the past “rhymes,” the context in which people lived in the past has always differed. By being mindful of this, we understand people within their specific time and place without extrapolating simplistic “lessons” about the present. 

People throughout all time have much in common. 
Although eras in the past differ significantly from each other, people nonetheless have much in common across time and place. They are motivated by similar desires, longings, sensibilities, and fears. This includes the shared experiences of Christians. Thus, it is meaningful to see ourselves in those who have lived before. 

The past has great explanatory power.
More than allowing us to see into the lives of those who have gone before, the historical record is relevant for its power to explain why the present has come to be as it is. In looking at Christians in the past, we come to understand the legacy of their decisions and actions. We seek to be mindful of nuance and complexity, change over time, and how their lives have helped shape the world we now inhabit. 

All people are significant as image-bearers of God.
Although historical narratives often focus on those who have had cultural influence or power, all people are significant for understanding the big picture in all its complexity. Similarly, as image-bearers of God, all people exhibit the realities of both sin and common grace. In light of this, we seek to be broadly inclusive as we enter into the past, honoring what is honorable while being honest about what is not.