“6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. ‘Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.'” – Hosea 4:6 NIV
The third common historical device that tears down is Modernism, which examines historical events and persons as if they occurred and lived today, rather than in the past. It severs history from its context and setting; misrepresenting historical beliefs and events.
Modernists would look at what American Methodists believe today, for example, recognizing that they are among the most socially liberal of the Christian mainline denominations, and then declare that John and Charles Wesley, as well as George Whitefield, were also socially liberal as they were the ones who founded Methodism. In actuality, however, these men held numerous beliefs and practices which would be considered anathema to most Methodist congregations today. This includes the overtly evangelical nature of the denomination at its founding, its outdoor camp meetings and revivals, and its tendency for demonstrative behavior that observers in that day described as emotionalism and fanaticism—behavior that would make many Methodists today extremely uncomfortable. In fact, it is highly unlikely that the Wesleys or Whitfield would ever be invited into the pulpits of the modern Methodist churches! Modernists assume that everything is static; that as it is today so it was then, but to accurately portray history each group or individual must be measured not by today’s modes of thinking, customs, and usage but rather, by the context of their own times.
One of our grandsons’ teachers at Rosemont Ridge Middle School in West Linn taught The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and commented about the word “orgy” used in the book. Without knowing or giving the correct meaning of the word as used in Tom Sawyer’s day, he completely misrepresented the meaning of the word, instead giving the perverse modern understanding of, “orgy.” He explained the gross details to these young impressionable minds. Our grandson was sickened when he heard such a vivid explanation of something so terrible. Our son-in-law did an excellent job in responding to the teacher, clarifying the true meaning and then asking him to refrain from inappropriate information to such a young audience.The word “orgy” in the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, meant to celebrate with party, drinking and gambling with not even a hint of sexual perversion. Modernism is alive and well even in our grade schools.
You and I must speak up or nothing will change! If you are not finding out what your children are being taught, how else will the system change? Remember, YOU are the paying customer. Use your right before the State takes it away.
In Christ,
Dale
dale@daleebel.org