1.4 – Read Quotations on the Study of History

ASSIGNMENT:

1. Read the following quotations.
2. Write a short essay or discuss with your instructor the following question: How do these quotes demonstrate the purpose and value of studying history?

SELECTION: Quotation by Oscar Cullman.

“If we consider the Christian faith from the point of view of time we should say that the scandal of the Christian faith is to believe that these few years, which, for secular history, have no more, and no less, significance than other periods, are the center and norm of the totality of time. But the New Testament claims no less than this: ‘When all things began, the Word already was, but the Word became flesh, he came to dwell among us and we saw his glory, such glory as befits the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.'”

SELECTION: Quotation by John Briggs.

“The Christian faith does not have to contort itself to embrace the hard facts of history. It admits that the tragedy of history cannot be avoided, but claims that there is power that redeems tragedy.”

SELECTION: Quotation by Cicero.

“Not to know what took place before you were born is to remain forever a child.”

SELECTION: Quotation by Aldous Huxley.

“That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons of history.”

SELECTION: Quotation by T. S. Eliot.

“Even now in sordid particulars the eternal design may appear.”