Lessons from the Past, Questions for the Future

There's a lot of confusion about history these days. Was Columbus a courageous explorer who saved the way to freedom, or a greedy European intruder who spoiled a pristine land? Was Pocahontas a long-haired beauty who wandered around singing about the wind and the flowers? The Mayflower Compact—isn't that some kind of small car? The Louisiana Purchase—isn't that something your parents bought while vacationing in New Orleans?

His Story

Historical illiteracy, though, is no joke. Christians are interested in truth. Our faith is rooted in reality, not legends and fairy tales. The Bible shows that history is not a long spiraling chain of meaningless incidents. It's "His Story"—the unfolding of God's purpose and plan. A culture that overlooks God's work in history is like a flower with no roots or a building without a foundation.

The Old Testament required parents to teach their children about God's past deeds (Deuteronomy 6:20-25). God's faithfulness in history was celebrated in music and worship (Psalm 136), and proclaimed in New Testament preaching (Acts 7:2-53, 13:16-41). Christians have much to learn from the mistakes and heroism of others who lived long ago (1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Hebrews 11:32-40). What was written in the past can give us endurance, encouragement, and hope (Romans 15:4). We can't live in the past, but we dare not forget it.

God's Hand in Our Homeland

Faith in God has played a major role in world history, and that's certainly true in North America.

Faith inspired the settlement of America. Why did European pioneers dare to come to the New World? Some, because of money or land. But for many, religious freedom was the driving force.

Faith influenced the education of America. Timothy Dwight (1752-1817), grandson of the famous preacher Jonathan Edwards, served as president of Yale. Dwight preached in chapel services and made it his goal to lead students to Christ, resulting in significant revival. Until the latter half of the twentieth century, the Bible was assumed to be an essential textbook for use in public schools.

Faith encouraged the leaders of America. Despite their flaws, our greatest national leaders have declared their dependence on the wisdom and guidance of God. On February 11, 1861, when he prepared to leave Springfield, Illinois to begin his presidency, Abraham Lincoln declared, "I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail."

Faith shaped the heart of America. Even amid the ragged violence of war (including the recent war with Iraq), our history contains many examples of heroism and compassion—feeding the hungry, defending human rights, protecting the innocent, opening doors for the gospel of Christ. Why do volunteers give billions of dollars to charitable causes? Why spend hours tutoring and coaching children? Why care for the sick and the dying? The love of God and neighbor, not patriotism alone, explain why.

What role will faith have in the future of America? In an age of increasing multi-culturalism and religious pluralism, will our faith be distinctly Christian, or a mishmash of pop spirituality? Will we "live as free men," and use our freedom to advance the cause of Christ instead of "as a cover-up for evil" (1 Peter 2:16)? Will our lifestyles overflow with so much Christ-likeness that others will ask the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15)? Will we remember that first and foremost, "our citizenship is in Heaven" (Philippians 3:20)?

The answer is up to us, and there is a lot at stake. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). Let's choose wisely.