text: what are christians taught about the history of the church? i was raised as a christian, and i think my religious education was very thorough.  i also have done a lot of independent reading as an adult to expand my knowledge, but surprisingly i have met many christians who do not know what the council of nicea was, who don't know about the political and social conditions of the world during the lifetime of jesus and things i would think any well-informed religious person should know about their faith.  my question to you all is, what do you actually learn about the history of the church from your religious education?  do you only study scripture?  how does church history influence your beliefs?  please keep this civil.  it's a genuine question, not meant to be malicious or attacking. there are a lot of things that is not taught in "christian education" most of the knowledge i have learned from personal study.  many ministers unfortunately are not really educated in such matters. scriptures say  2ti 2:15  study to present yourself to god as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  however many people don't that.  with that said i feel that all my studying has not weakened my faith but strengthened things that are practiced in the church that seemed to be not biblical based i have found out that it was changed by "church leaders" for often political not spiritual reasons. things like the changing of the sabbath from sat to sun among other things.    it has made me really realize that god and his word does not change but we try to change his word to fit us.  more people need to study, return back to what scripture really says and give up their traditions of men.