When history, as it seems today, becomes nothing more
than dates, places, names, and events, there is less incentive to take the time
to learn from history, but when history is more than just a record of dates,
places, names, and events, and is presented as having something to do with the
present course of our society, then there becomes more of an incentive to learn
from it.
If one wants to learn the cause of the present
condition of the nation in which he lives, or that of any other nation, he
needs to, if at all possible, learn from the history thereof to determine the
cause. In doing so, we learn about how a
nation or empire is built and the cause of its deterioration and eventual
downfall.
But in order to understand history, we also be
well educated in the founding ideas, philosophies, doctrines, and
religions upon which a civilization is built, and in those that direct its
course for good or ill, and which shaped and inspired those men and women
of throughout history to carry out those actions that have shaped and
directed the course of events (both good and bad).
For a people who are well informed and well educated
in the principles that shape the course of history, inspire the figures whose
actions affect the course of events, and are made aware of the forces working
behind the scenes (both good and evil), will be less likely to perpetuate the evil
of generations past and to repeat the mistakes of the past, and more likely to
retain those beneficial principles and standards and to carry on the legacy of
those things which the previous generations have done right but without
repeating the errors of the same, which should be the desire of each successive
generation.
But when history is not carefully preserved and people
neglect to study it carefully, they will be presented with a distorted and
twisted view of history, the affects thereof resulting in eventual ruin.
To his credit, historian David
Barton explains three main causes of distorted history:
"Modernism is the practice of analyzing
historical incidents and persons as if they lived now rather than in the
past. Modernism separates history from its context and setting-a practice
that regularly practices flawed conclusions.
An illustration of Modernism is the manner in
which today's textbooks uniformly portray the colonial Puritans as intolerant
Christians because of the witch trials in which twenty-seven individuals died. But
universally ignored is the fact that witch trials were occurring across the
world at that time, not just in America...Additionally, the American witch
trials lasted two months, but the European trials lasted for years.
Furthermore, the Massachusetts witch trials were brought to a close when Christian
leaders such as the Rev. John Wise, the Rev. Increase Mather, and Thomas
Brattle challenged the trials because Biblical rules of evidence and Due
Process were not being followed in the courts...
Minimalism
is an unreasonable instance on over simplicity-on using simplistic platitudes
to reduce everything to monolithic causes and linear effects. As an
example, citizens today are regularly taught that Americans separated from
Great Britain because of 'taxation without representation' yet that issue was
only one of twenty-seven grievances listed in the Declaration of
Independence...
Deconstructionism...is
an approach that 'tends to deemphasize or even efface the subject'-that is, to
malign or smear the subject by posing a 'continuous critique' to 'lay low what
was once high.' It is a steady flow of belittling and malicious portrayals of
traditional heroes, beliefs, values, and institutions. Deconstructionists
happily point out everything that can possibly be portrayed as a flaw, even if
they have to distort information to do it; yet they remain ominously silent
about multitude of reasons to be proud of America...As a result of the work of
Deconstructionists, most Americans today can recite more of what's wrong with
America and the Founding Fathers than what's right."
I can think of no greater example of a proper
documentation of history than the Bible, the Inspired Word of God of which
things as the Apostle writes, "are written for our admonition." (1
Cor. 10:11)
The scriptures record of those figures (good and evil)
both their accomplishments, deeds, and fallacies that we might follow the good
examples they set, but avoid making the mistakes they made, but it is neither
the purpose of the scriptures to either glorify a heroic figure or to malign a
person of reproach. It was written to proclaim truth in its full counsel
to the glory of its Author, but not only is it a book of history, but a book
that reveals to us the future for which men are destined depending on their
attitude towards their Maker. It contains all things necessary for
knowing our God, redemption and the need of it, right living, how to
retain a close fellowship with our Lord, to live a life filled with purpose and
meaning, and what the future holds for mankind and this creation.
History when properly understood reveals more than
just places, names, and events, but also reveals the ideas, values, and beliefs
that inspire the actions of the figures directing the course of history, their
fallacies and deeds, and the spiritual forces (good and evil) working
behind the scenes who have been battling over the souls of men and the course
of history. But this is all unmentioned by a corrupt media and education
system controlled by those principalities whose dominance is dependent upon the
ignorance of men. For ignorance, lies, and distorted facts are what Satan
uses to keep people blind, but the light of Christ pierces through that darkness
that blinds, enlightening the mind, and bringing liberation to the soul from
the chains of sin and condemnation into which we are all born since the sin of
Adam (Rom. 5:12) from whom all mankind descends, and eventually the entire
creation from the bondage of death and decay resulting from the sin of man. (Rom. 8:19-23)
We are blessed to live in a nation in which we are
able to trace a matter back to its primary source or at least as close to the
primary source as can be traced. Therefore we presently have no excuse
for being ignorant of true history, for with the advent of venues like the
internet and an age in which there is much more access to information than
there ever has been, the only thing that keeps us ignorant and misinformed is
our own selfishness and laziness.
End notes:
1. David
Barton, "John Adams-Was He Really An Enemy Of Christians? Addressing
Modern Academic Shallowness," Wallbuilders
Scripture References:
1. 1 Corinthians 10:11
2. Romans. 5:12
3. Romans 8:19-23
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