The Christian Understanding of History

An examination of the problems of our historical existence, in the context of God’s revelation through His Son as the key to historical meaning.


The problem of world-history and its meaning is acute. In a scientific age we are also becoming historically conscious, realising how many of our contemporary problems cannot be solved without an understanding of their historical perspective. The whole conception of world-history is rooted in Christianity, and the Christian faith proclaims God’s special revelation through His Son as the key to historical meaning.

How does this Salvation History relate to the complex events of our historical existence? Does God only work in Salvation History or is there also a general revelation of His presence? In this comprehensive and magisterial study, the author suggests answers to these and other questions, believing that only by examining the problems in the light of the biblical revelation, and the meaning it gives to history, can they be understood.

Dr Eric Charles Rust (-1992), evangelical philosopher and ethicist, trained at Oxford in Old Testament theology and later taught Christian philosophy at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, USA). He was visiting Hayward Lecturer at Acadia Divinity College in 1972, and Staley Distinguished Scholar Lecturer at Cumberland College 1982-83. Publications: Science and Faith, 1968 Nature - Garden or Desert?: An Essay in Environmental Theology, 1971