The Importance of Studying Biography

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
~Hebrews 13:7

I have never been one to read a lot of biographies. Sure I have read historical people in history books but not many biographies which center specifically on them. Usually, when I am not reading God's Word, you will find me reading a commentary, theological work, or a Christian living book by MacArthur or Piper, which due to the very nature of the authors is always grounded and centered on God's Word. However, for a recent paper I have done on four great leaders of the Christian church (Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Moody), I encountered some wonderful biographies which I gleaned so much from. The paper led me to read Piper's The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, and portions of Augustine's autobiography, The Confessions. The biographies themselves are not what encouraged me but the lives of these saints. I may not fully agree with each of their theology, I cannot deny the passion and zeal they lived out for the Lord and what we can gain from their examples. I think that there are at least three things we can benefit from reading biographies of those in church history.

Biographies Can Help Remind Us That God Has a Purpose for Each of Us
Like Pharaoh (Romans 9:17), God had a purpose for each of these men as well as us today. Reading their life stories reveals God's sovereign hand secretly directing them to the point He opens their eyes and awakens them to spiritual life and where they realize the role in which He had been preparing them to do. Like Joseph, they experienced much in their lives and while they may not have realized it at the time, God directed each of their steps. Right after being betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, the author of Genesis reminds us that the LORD was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2) and as Joseph himself realized later, all of the terrible events which occurred in his life were part of God's working to bring him to the position to save his family from dying in the famine which would have resulted in God's promise to Abraham becoming broken (Genesis 45:5-8; 50:20). These men played a part in God's plan and reading them we should not forget that we do as well.

Biographies Can Encourage Us to Press On No Matter the Cost
These men did not have easy lives but experienced several problems daily. In fact, I think some of them might have even experienced more problems than we ever do. While I have my critics, I don't think they are as fierce as Luther's who excommunicated him or Calvin's who banished him from Geneva after he had poured out his life to them. Also, their work load was much greater than my hectic schedule (and trust me, it gets hectic sometimes) of work, seminary, RAing, and the occasional opportunities God grants me to preach a few times a month. Augustine was a bishop who taught God's Word regularly, wrote several theological treaties, as well as defended the faith against the Manicheans, Donatists, and Pelagious. Luther averaged the equivalent in four years of preaching a sermon every two and a half days and in addition to his church work, teaching the students at the university, had a wife and six children to tend to (including the grief of losing one at a very young age). He also produced numerous works during his life in his many battles for truth he engaged in. Calvin never slowed down in his ministry of the Word but preached ten sermons every two weeks, wrote a mass load of commentaries and other works, all the while performing the traditional pastoral duties of visiting the sick and church administration. Moody at one time was a successful businessman, Sunday School organizer, Sunday School conference speaker, and president of the Y.M.C.A. Yet, God gave them the drive to not quit the roles He had called them to but to persevere for His glory. Some of the greatest testimonies comes from those missionaries whom willingly give up their life for Christ and never back down in spite of persecution, even to the point of death. When I get discouraged due to my work load, the reminder of their zeal and passion which God gave them is a good impetus not to give up. If God can push them forward through the toughest of tasks, surely He can us as well.

Biographies Reveal God's Glorious Work in That Which is Not Glorious Itself
Also, these men were full of flaws. They were sinners saved by God's grace. Augustine had some mistaken views on sex and baptism (holding to infant baptism), Luther did not do well at bridling his tongue or controlling his anger, and unfortunately Calvin may always be remembered for his execution of Michael Severtus. Moody also was not the most accomplished speaker. Yet, their names live on in history because of the work that God has done in them and through them and not because of themselves. God so often uses us in spite or even because of our weaknesses. All of the accounts of those in Scripture bear this well. None of them were perfect except for Jesus but God's strength was shown through their weaknesses. Moses was not that great of a speaker. Abraham, though being the quiessential example of justification by faith in the New Testament, had moments where his faith lacked (such as the incident with Hagar and the two cases of lying about Sarah being his wife). The time of the judges had leaders full of problems such as Gideon and his constant need of a sign in spite of God's clear direction and Jephthah and his tragic vow. David, the king after God's own heart, had the tag line: because David did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:2). Jeremiah thought that he was too young while Jonah even rebelled against God's command, wanting to see God's wrath fall upon Nineveh instead of His mercy. Yet none of this stopped God from using these men. Likewise, all of the flaws we have does not hinder God's ability to use us. In spite of ourselves, He can and may still use us for His glory. We are not disqualified due to our inadequacies as we all are inadequate apart from Christ. Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Praise God for His work!

So I encourage you to read a biography of one of the leaders that God has rose up in the past whom He has used to make His name great and bring Him glory. May He use us for the purposes which He has in store.

In Christ,
Lee
Soli Deo Gloria!!!

As the Lord has used my study of the lives of these men mentioned to encourage me and draw me to glorify Him as His hand was apparent in each of their lives, I intend to share a section of my paper which corresponds to one of the saints each day this week, starting with Augustine today. May God use their stories to encourage you at what He has done in their lives knowing that He has things in store for us as well.