Thursday, October 03, 2019
Criminals, Heroes, History, and Church
I love history. Restoration history, church history, American history, Civil War, Revolutionary War. So when we were in Vermont recently, my sweet wife let me take her by the Ethan Allen homestead. I knew he was considered a Revolutionary War hero from Vermont.
Some things I remembered about him. Others I learned on this visit.
Allen was part of a intense land dispute between New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In fact, his "army" was considered by some to be nothing more than common criminals and thugs. Until they were needed for the attack on Canada.
He was the co-commander (with Benedict Arnold) of the military campaign that captured Fort Ticonderoga. Even had a famous verbal exchange with the British commander who surrendered the fort. Then Arnold lost a battle at Montreal. Ended up spending much of the war in prison in England.
He was also very religious, tho he was a Deist -- basically believed God would the world up like a watch and left it alone to run. So he did not believe God would actively act in the affairs of men.
So is he a war hero leading the Green Mountain Boys, or a criminal? Is he a great military strategist or just in the right place at the right time? Was he witty with a gift for the striking statement or did he repeat consistently what he wished he had said?
So here a few things I do believe.
Winners write history. Their version of how it went. Always pure motives and strong hearts.
Perspective is everything. I wonder how Benedict Arnold felt about the Arnold public relations campaign? Well, actually we do know. Frustrated that he was not recognized for his contributions.
Repeat something loud enough and often enough and it may become history. Or legend. True or not.
So what does all of this have to do with church?
Winners write church history too. Churches have disputes and fights. Winners write the history.
Perspective matters. My holding to the truth is someone else's clinging to tradition. My using newer and different ways to do ministry is someone else's failing to hold to the faith. Judgmental or true to Scripture?
And repeat something often enough and loud enough and some will believe it. Whatever it is.
So how do you know who or what is right?
Well, with Ethan Allen I am not sure it really matters all that much.
As for church, Jesus is still the head and it will survive. No person is going to be able to destroy it. They cannot. And God gave you a Bible. Read it for yourself.
Maybe repeat this over and over again.
Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord.
Truth.
Some things I remembered about him. Others I learned on this visit.
Allen was part of a intense land dispute between New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In fact, his "army" was considered by some to be nothing more than common criminals and thugs. Until they were needed for the attack on Canada.
He was the co-commander (with Benedict Arnold) of the military campaign that captured Fort Ticonderoga. Even had a famous verbal exchange with the British commander who surrendered the fort. Then Arnold lost a battle at Montreal. Ended up spending much of the war in prison in England.
He was also very religious, tho he was a Deist -- basically believed God would the world up like a watch and left it alone to run. So he did not believe God would actively act in the affairs of men.
So is he a war hero leading the Green Mountain Boys, or a criminal? Is he a great military strategist or just in the right place at the right time? Was he witty with a gift for the striking statement or did he repeat consistently what he wished he had said?
So here a few things I do believe.
Winners write history. Their version of how it went. Always pure motives and strong hearts.
Perspective is everything. I wonder how Benedict Arnold felt about the Arnold public relations campaign? Well, actually we do know. Frustrated that he was not recognized for his contributions.
Repeat something loud enough and often enough and it may become history. Or legend. True or not.
So what does all of this have to do with church?
Winners write church history too. Churches have disputes and fights. Winners write the history.
Perspective matters. My holding to the truth is someone else's clinging to tradition. My using newer and different ways to do ministry is someone else's failing to hold to the faith. Judgmental or true to Scripture?
And repeat something often enough and loud enough and some will believe it. Whatever it is.
So how do you know who or what is right?
Well, with Ethan Allen I am not sure it really matters all that much.
As for church, Jesus is still the head and it will survive. No person is going to be able to destroy it. They cannot. And God gave you a Bible. Read it for yourself.
Maybe repeat this over and over again.
Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord.
Truth.
