Apprentice2Jesus
Ramblings of a Confessing Pentecostal
Archive for the category “History”
For the LOVE of History!
In the past few days I have had students tell me what they are learning in our history class is directly impacting a lesson they are learning in their lives right now. It’s exciting to see history come alive for them!
HERE are some other reasons to learn church history. It’s a good, quick read.
This Day in History
There are dates that pop up from time to time that shock me. On this particular date in 2008 the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologized to aboriginal families that had suffered for 100 years because their children had been ripped from their homes. The children were taken from their families and forced into institutions where they were often not allowed to speak their native language. They were given new names and birthdates. Some estimates show that between 1910 and 1971 55,000 children were taken from their families.
There are events that need healing. There are times when those not directly responsible can stand up and offer repentance.
Daniel did it in his time. As did Nehemiah.
May we resolve in our hearts to truly love our neighbor in the power of the Spirit.
Now, Algeria?
Tunisia is in our rear view mirror. It’s hard to remember those events with our American short attention spans. Egypt has undergone a huge change. The change will be ongoing.
Now, Algeria? Calls for justice, freedom, and a voice are ringing all across North Africa. What an amazing time.
Continue to pray for the church in this area of the world. Change may not always be good for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Study War No More
I love reading biographies of American Presidents. Eisenhower is a personal favorite since he is from Kansas. This article in The Atlantic Monthly reminds us of this general’s view of war and the industry that grows with it.
Even in his day the numbers are astounding as to how much money was spent on “defense.”
The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities … We pay for a single fighter with a half million bushels of wheat. We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people.
One of the key beliefs Eisenhower had is trust in the American people. The PEOPLE needed to voice their views on how dollars were spent. Wishful thinking, as it has turned out. We cede power over to government all the time. If we are conservatives, we don’t question dollars spent on defense. If we are liberals, we don’t question dollars spent on social programs. We the people just assume. As Eisenhower prophetically pointed out: bad mistake.
A Proclamation
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;– for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;– and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;– to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington
Christian Nation?
Yet more fodder for the debate. Michael Gerson writes a great column on the myth of this nation being founded as a “Christian” nation. I say myth not because I’m an atheist, obviously. Nor is it my wish to give aid and comfort to organizations like “Americans United for Separation of Church and State.” I say myth simply because of the history of our nation. Gerson elaborates this point well, so please read his column.
I do take Gerson to task for one point, however. He invokes Jefferson’s very famous phrase of “separation of church and state” and then misuses it. He says the Constitution requires “separation of church and state” at an institutional level. This is simply misreading the Constitution and using Jefferson’s statement as case law.
The amendment says this:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
There is no case to be made for “separation” as most liberals would define that today. The point of the amendment, and Jefferson’s point in his letter to the Danbury Baptists, is that the United States government cannot establish a national denomination. It does NOT mean Christians can’t have a voice in government! It does NOT mean Christians must remain silent on political issues (on their own personal time, not from church pulpits).
As to Gerson’s assertion that our founding fathers didn’t make this a Christian nation, I agree. They used Judeo-Christian values and leaned heavily on the Law of Moses and so many other sources. We have those values bred into the fiber of our nation. That does not, by default, make us a Christian nation. I pray it never does, quite frankly. If you wonder why I would make such a brazen statement, I would ask you to thoughtfully study European history, especially from the Reformation on. Then, get back to me. Our founding fathers were not interested in the violent sectarianism of Europe that was based on theological positions. They wanted freedom to worship in the manner each person chose according to their conscience, and to do so without threat of losing their life.
This is what Jefferson referred to in addressing the situation with the Danbury Baptists. It was not some permanent “separation” where Christians would not have any voice in their government or culture. We have the right to believe and express that belief.
But, let us please more historically honest as Christians as to the founding of this nation. I love our heritage. I love our nation’s dedication to freedom of worship. Let’s not cloud it up.
Essence
Imagine you live in a small town in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). It’s the First Century and you part of a small group following the teachings of Jesus.
What would essential for you as a group? What would be essence of what you believe?
Here is to the 4th
One greeting that catches my attention every year is “Have a happy and SAFE 4th of July.” Or, “Have a SAFE holiday.”
I would suppose they simply mean, “Don’t go blow yourself up.”
Have a SAFE 4th of July? As I reflect on independence, “safe” isn’t one of those words I come up with. That is not to say I want you to go blow yourself up. But, we’ve taken a national holiday and turned into safety camp.
This is a day of celebration, for Americans, concerning independence. Something declared in the cauldron of war with the risk of being executed if they could not win that war. “Safe” just isn’t one of those words that should be associated with well wishes on this holiday.
Freedom.
Liberty.
Courage.
And don’t go blow your hand off, okay?
CEB
