The Whole ChurchExemplo

WHO & WHAT WE ARE

Exploring family ancestry is a big business right now. Thanks to the miracle of modern DNA testing and the internet, we’re all one cheek swab and a mouse click away from tracing our bloodlines across continents and through multiple generations. Such discoveries exhilarate us … but why? 

Perhaps, deep down, it’s because we want to understand ourselves. We want insight into our here and now and, instinctively, we know that means going back to there and then. By investigating our past, we might stumble upon the roots of present-day problems as well as their solutions. Or we might draw strength from the hard-won victories of our ancestors. Whatever we may find in our yesteryears has a direct bearing on our todays.

Why, then, do we neglect our ancestry as the family of God? Whether on purpose or not, many Christians tend to ignore the historical foundations of the church. When we do so, we mistakenly assume modern Christianity has nothing to learn from its origins. Who we are as the body of Christ today has everything to do with the wisdom and sacrifices of those who came before us. Yet we often live as if the contemporary church were an island in time, cut off from the influence of the past and without regard for its impact on the future.

The truth is, nothing comes from nothing. And as counterintuitive as it may sound, we can find a better way forward by looking back.

So where does your faith come from? For some, faith in Jesus is almost like red hair, a distaste for cilantro, or a quick-wit—it’s an inheritance handed down through the generations. For others, following the Lord was an unexpected detour from family expectations or cultural traditions. Yes, salvation is solely the work of Christ through the Holy Spirit, but no believer is born again without spiritual midwives. These are the Sunday school teachers, relatives, evangelists, friends, and strangers who ushered us from death to life. 

And we wouldn’t be here without their faithful witness.

Learning to value church history requires curiosity, yes, but more importantly, humility. When we start exploring and honoring our roots, we’re acknowledging we didn’t get here by ourselves. Take some time to look at your personal faith family tree and embrace the opportunity to learn from other Christians. Appreciate new revelations hidden within old traditions and discover a fresh perspective on your place in God’s redemption story. Whether zooming in or zooming out, always remember to widen your gaze beyond the here and now.

Keep in mind how the Lord identified Himself to John in the book of Revelation: “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come’” (1:8). That means encountering God involves recognizing He’s not just everywhere but everywhen. And embodying Him on earth as His church requires a more holistic view or our past, present, and future with Him.

Digging Deeper

• Write down your spiritual family tree—who were the people who shaped your walk with God? In what ways does your faith look like theirs? What beliefs and behaviors did you inherit from them? Repeat this process, going back as many “generations” as you can to sketch a full picture of your spiritual DNA.
• Think about your personal history with God. What experiences with Him bring you joy, encourage your heart, or soothe your fears?
• Conduct an informal interview with someone from a different Christian tradition than yours. Don’t worry about resolving any differences in theology—just relax, be curious, and enjoy learning from your brother or sister in Christ.

Prayer

Father, I praise You for the rich tapestry You’re weaving together through countless lives surrendered to Your will. Thank You for including me in this long story of Your redemption. Help me to be humble and curious as I look beyond my personal experience of faith in the here and now. Show me how You’ve been working in ways, places, and people that are foreign to me. Guide me as You open my eyes to the history of the faithful. Amen.