When I first began studying at Bible College, I didn’t expect to fall in love with church history. But one subject, Story of the Church, completely transformed the way I saw the past — not just as a collection of dates and doctrines but as a living, breathing testimony of God’s faithfulness through the centuries. It was during that time that I was introduced to some of the theologians who would later shape my faith and influence the vision behind Eluit.
Each week, we were assigned analytical reflections on passages from Richard J. Foster’s book, Devotional Classics, a collection of writings from Christian thinkers throughout history. I recall spending hours carefully distilling their profound insights into 150-word summaries, striving to condense some of the most wonderfully complex Christian thoughts that had ever been penned into concise summaries and reflections. As someone prone to over-writing, the process was maddening. But it was through this book that I began to fall in love with powerful Christian writers of the past. Their words were not just theological musings; they were windows into the beauty and depth of God’s truth. In moments when my heart has needed encouragement, their words have shone like beacons — illuminating the character of God, unveiling the mysteries of His gospel, and helping me understand who I am in light of Him.
One of the towering figures of the early church, Augustine’s Confessions remains one of the most influential Christian works ever written. Living in North Africa at the turn of the 5th century, Augustine wrestled deeply with sin, truth, and the restless search for meaning. His famous prayer, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You,” has shaped my understanding of the human longing for God. His reflections on grace and redemption continue to inspire me as I seek to live out my faith.
Fast-forward over a millennium, and we meet Charles Spurgeon, a Baptist preacher in Victorian London whose sermons drew thousands. Known as the “Prince of Preachers,” Spurgeon had an unmatched ability to proclaim God’s Word with passion and clarity. His emphasis on grace, God’s sovereignty, and the believer’s daily dependence on Christ still speaks today.
Though less well-known, Samuel Gandy’s hymns and poetry beautifully capture the glory of Christ and the believer’s eternal hope. Samuel was an English clergyman and hymn writer. Writing in the 19th century, his work reflects a heart saturated with Scripture and longing for heaven. He is best known for hymns such as “What tho’ the Accuser Roar” and “His Be the Victor’s Name.”
In the modern era, C. S. Lewis stands out as a writer who combined imagination with theology. A professor of literature at Oxford and Cambridge, Lewis came to faith as an adult and went on to pen classics such as Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Weight of Glory. His ability to communicate profound truths through both essays and stories, most famously The Chronicles of Narnia, has helped countless readers see God’s beauty with fresh eyes.
These voices, though separated by centuries and cultures, share a common thread: a deep reverence for God’s Word and a longing to communicate its truth in a way that captures both heart and mind.
As my lecturer in Story of the Church often reminded us, “We stand on the shoulders of giants.” Eluit is, in many ways, my attempt to weave that legacy into the everyday — pairing Scripture with the wisdom of those who have gone before us. By surrounding ourselves with God’s Word and the enduring witness of faithful believers across history, we are invited to worship more deeply, see the world more clearly, and live more fully for the glory of God.