5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

Latest Episodes:

5 Things Everyone Should Know About John Cotton: A Committed Congregationalist Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

How did Puritan pastor John Cotton end up on England's most wanted list? Today, Stephen Nichols continues his conversation with Stephen Yuille, exploring Cotton's flight to New England and the convictions that shaped his ministry.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/5-things-everyone-should-know-about-john-cotton-a-committed-congregationalist/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5 Things Everyone Should Know About John Cotton: A Pastor's Heart Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Who was John Cotton, and why was he such an influential Puritan pastor? Today, Stephen Nichols welcomes Stephen Yuille to discuss several key facts about Cotton's life, ministry, and legacy.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/5-things-everyone-should-know-about-john-cotton-a-pastors-heart/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

To Burma Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Adoniram Judson lived by the conviction that missionary service required total dedication. Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of how God sustained Judson through danger, imprisonment, and loss to bring the gospel to the people of Burma.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/to-burma/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Haystack Prayer Meeting Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

How did a sudden storm and a simple prayer meeting spark a global missions movement? Today, Stephen Nichols tells the story of the Haystack Prayer Meeting and the five college students whose faith helped shape American foreign missions.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/the-haystack-prayer-meeting/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Noah Webster: More Words Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

What do definitions of words like "truth" and "theology" reveal about a person's beliefs? Today, Stephen Nichols revisits Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary and its deep Christian roots.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/noah-webster-more-words/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

401 Again Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

An encounter with Christ struck Paul blind. When he couldn't see anything else, Paul finally saw Jesus for who He really is. Today, Stephen Nichols revisits the year 401, when Augustine delivered a marvelous sermon on Paul's conversion.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/401-again/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

401 Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Some years stand out in church history: 325, 1054, 1517. But the year 401 is more obscure. Today, Stephen Nichols takes us to a time when Augustine helped Christians in Carthage navigate conflict in the church and pressure from the world.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/401/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Noah Webster's Dictionary Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Who was Noah Webster, beyond the dictionary that bears his name? Today, Stephen Nichols explores Webster's influence on American language and how his Christian convictions shaped both his life and his work.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/noah-websters-dictionary/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Early Methodism: Circuit Riders and Camp Meetings Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

How did Methodism spread across the American frontier? Today, Stephen Nichols looks at the lives of circuit riders who carried Methodism westward.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/early-methodism-circuit-riders-and-camp-meetings/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Early Methodism: Beginnings and Revival Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

How did a small group of Oxford students shape a global movement? Today, Stephen Nichols traces the early roots of Methodism, from high moral standards and revival preaching to its growth in Great Britain and colonial America.

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/early-methodism-beginnings-and-revival/

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/

Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

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