Why Church History Matters

Over at America magazine’s blog, Michael Sean Winters has this to say about Church history:

Reading the history of the Church is important for all Catholics. Some who fashion themselves “traditional Catholics” do not seem to recognize that this is redundant. To be a Catholic is to be rooted in a tradition. It is also the case that many who invoke the tradition never really took the time to learn it. Nostalgia for the 1950s should not be confused with tradition. Our traditions are rich, intellectually vibrant, spiritually compelling, confusing and inspiring often in the same moments, complicated, persistent, all at the same time. In that history we see the notes of the Church: holiness, oneness,Catholicity and apostolicity, as well as their opposites. History is always clarifying reading. So, as we get ready for some time at the beach, instead of a trashy novel, get the real thing. Pick up a book of Church history and see what you uncover. I’ve been at this stuff for twenty years but I still find myself surprised by what I find.

Read the whole thing here.