History of the Church

Jerry and Terri Wolfe and Julie and I teach a theology class on Friday nights to people from our church. We were discussing the history of the church, specifically the 2nd century controversies concerning the deity of Jesus. How is it we have raised people up who are ready to throw out centuries of Church heritage just because they can "read the Bible for themselves."? I do not believe it is that easy to throw out centuries of God using His people in history. Where would we be with out the Church fathers? Where would we be without Martin Luther? Is that attitude rooted in something else. Are we too individualistic? Does God even recognize us outside the community of faith--his churchh? I do not understand how we can just toss the history of the God's church out like we toss out the garbage? Maybe we need to asking for forgiveness!