You see it every year during the State of the Union Address, delivered by the President of the United States. After each major announcement one side of the room applauds their approval, while the other side sits stoically, demonstrating disapproval. This is just one manifestation of the fact that America is a divided nation. The differences of Americans have not always been as polarizing as they are today. So the question is, what has changed, and can unity be regained in such a vast nation of different peoples?
People do not desire disunity. Philosophers have sought the secret of unity out of diversity from the very beginning of recorded history. The university was created to bring unity out of diversity – thus the combining of the two words to give us the word university.
The day after the state of the union address the conversation in the work place went something like this, “do you think the American people want to see their leaders divided like that?” To which a very wise man replied, “Do they not need to see how divided this nation is?”
The philosophers are correct in thinking that a common understanding of life can explain unity in diversity. The dominant philosophy of 21st century America, however, is impotent to accomplish this desired unity. The state-established religion in America today is Secular Humanism. It is taught in the government schools; it rules the court rooms and the halls of the legislature. In the institutions of higher learning, notice, they are not even referred to as universities very often any more. Secular Humanism is not satisfied with dominance. It seeks to kill the philosophy that stands in opposition to it.
With Secular Humanism's devotion to tolerance it may not be readily apparent to those brought up in this system why unity cannot be achieved by it. The Secular Humanist is taught to tolerate all beliefs and opinions as equally valid. On the surface, if everyone would adhere to this principle without exception peace and harmony would reign among a diverse people. However this view of tolerance breaks down both practically and logically. First, on the practical level, no one really holds to this principle without fail. Every one has something that they absolutely will not tolerate, even if the only thing that they wont tolerate is intolerance. Secondly, a complete adherence to this tolerance violates the laws of logic. A belief in and a denial of the existence of God is a logical impossibility. God either exists or doesn't. Both of these views cannot be equally valid.
This nation was not founded upon the philosophy of Secular Humanism. It was founded upon the principles of Biblical Christianity. As long as the American culture was grounded in true Christianity there was a unity among the diverse peoples of this nation. The farther the culture diverts from a Christian worldview the more polarized the people become. So the answer to the question, “What has changed? And can unity be regained in such a vast nation of different peoples?” is that America has rejected the only philosophy that makes sense out of a unity in diversity, and a return to ordering society by a Christian worldview will accomplish the unity that Americans desire.
Showing posts with label Christian worldview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian worldview. Show all posts
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Noah Webster's Distinctly Christian Education System Shielded the Republic From the Enlightenment
Noah Webster invested his entire life into the task of placing every aspect of life under the authority of Jesus Christ. In his personal and family life he ordered every activity by the principles of the Word of God. Having graduated from Yale at about the same time as the birth of America, he was burdened with the need to maintain America as a Christian Constitutional republic. He believed that in order to maintain liberty all ties with the old world must be severed. It would require a distinctly Christian education system to avoid propagation of foreign philosophies of government that may jeopardize this Christian Constitutional government.
The early life of Noah Webster was dedicated to building an educational system that would impart, “a love of virtue, patriotism, and religion”, based on scripture. These were the three characteristics that he deemed as necessary to maintaining the American Christian republic. He, like most Americans of his time time “affirmed that the principles of republican government have their origins in the Scriptures.”
Noah Webster provided a steady stream of text books that were rooted in Christian morality. In his Moral Catechism he wrote, “God's Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct.” Noah Webster published his “Speller” in 1783, followed by a “Grammar” in 1784, and a “Reader” in 1785. These works were shortly followed by his “Elements of Useful Knowledge”, which contained the history and geography of the United States. The crowning glory of all of his works was the Dictionary of the American English Language. All of these works were based in the Christian worldview. Mr. Webster comprehended that only a public educated in this Christian worldview would be equipped to withstand an onslaught from anti-Christian philosophies.
Indeed it was his text books that carried Biblical principles over the American countryside. His “speller”, which became popularly known as the “Blue Backed Speller”, sold over one hundred million copies over a one hundred year period. As a result the American public was prepared to accept Mr. Webster's analysis of the philosophies of the French Revolution when her missionaries launched their attacks on Christianity and republicanism.
Noah Webster took up the pen against these subversive doctrines in his Minerva Magazine during 1790's. He warned that “If...that system of raising a multitude of isolated private clubs over the nation as its guardian – should spread thro the country, we may bid adieu to our Constitution.” The Christian nature of America's education system overcame the attacks of the Jacobins. The Enlightenment thinking of the French Revolution was never able to gain a foothold in the thinking and activities of 18th and early 19th century America. It wasn't until the 20th and 21st centuries, long after Americans began to reject Biblical Christianity, that these anti-Christian and anti-republican philosophies were able to hijack the American system of government.
The early life of Noah Webster was dedicated to building an educational system that would impart, “a love of virtue, patriotism, and religion”, based on scripture. These were the three characteristics that he deemed as necessary to maintaining the American Christian republic. He, like most Americans of his time time “affirmed that the principles of republican government have their origins in the Scriptures.”
Noah Webster provided a steady stream of text books that were rooted in Christian morality. In his Moral Catechism he wrote, “God's Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct.” Noah Webster published his “Speller” in 1783, followed by a “Grammar” in 1784, and a “Reader” in 1785. These works were shortly followed by his “Elements of Useful Knowledge”, which contained the history and geography of the United States. The crowning glory of all of his works was the Dictionary of the American English Language. All of these works were based in the Christian worldview. Mr. Webster comprehended that only a public educated in this Christian worldview would be equipped to withstand an onslaught from anti-Christian philosophies.
Indeed it was his text books that carried Biblical principles over the American countryside. His “speller”, which became popularly known as the “Blue Backed Speller”, sold over one hundred million copies over a one hundred year period. As a result the American public was prepared to accept Mr. Webster's analysis of the philosophies of the French Revolution when her missionaries launched their attacks on Christianity and republicanism.
Noah Webster took up the pen against these subversive doctrines in his Minerva Magazine during 1790's. He warned that “If...that system of raising a multitude of isolated private clubs over the nation as its guardian – should spread thro the country, we may bid adieu to our Constitution.” The Christian nature of America's education system overcame the attacks of the Jacobins. The Enlightenment thinking of the French Revolution was never able to gain a foothold in the thinking and activities of 18th and early 19th century America. It wasn't until the 20th and 21st centuries, long after Americans began to reject Biblical Christianity, that these anti-Christian and anti-republican philosophies were able to hijack the American system of government.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The Marxist View of History
If you truly understand the goal of Marxism it is not difficult to see its influence on American culture today. Marx stated in his Economics and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, “The entire so-called history of the world is nothing but the creation of man through human labor...” His historical materialism views man as a mere economic unit trapped in a class struggle.
Look around you, the struggle at work between management and labor, the struggle between the so-called races permeates the culture, the feminist movement has elevated the struggle between men and women to levels never before seen in history. None of this has come about by accident. One of the most prolific authors, disseminating the materialistic worldview of Marxism through his writings on history was Charles Beard. He purposely de-emphasized the Biblical influence on the founding of America, and tainted the character of the founders.
It is important to point out the fallacy of neutrality. To apply the providential view of history to your interpretation of history you must presuppose that the Christian God is the one and only true God and that He has revealed himself in the pages of Holy Scripture. The Christian must not shrink from this admission, for it is true. The materialist, or Marxist, must presuppose that the only thing that matters is matter. Just as the Christian has not scientifically proven the existence of God and the truth of the Bible, the materialist cannot scientifically prove the truth that matter is all there is.
Moving forward under the presupposition that God is sovereignly in control of history you can interpret history based on this truth. Any view of history that denies the sovereignty of God must of necessity distort the facts of history. Everyone has the same basic facts to deal with when interpreting history, but a Christian thinker will interpret history based on God's Providence, while the Marxist will interpret the same facts based on materialism. Compare this to evolution. The Christian sees millions of fossils buried in mud and interprets that as evidence of a great flood. The Marxist sees millions of fossils buried in mud and sees that as evidence of the survival of the fittest. Same facts, same evidence, but diametrically opposed conclusions. It is the same with historical facts. A Christian thinker reads the First Amendment to the Constitution and sees God, by His supreme authority over both church and state, distinguishing the authority that is be exercised by the church from the authority that is to be exercised by the state. The Marxist reads the First Amendment to the Constitution and sees a repudiation of God's authority over the state. Same facts, same evidence, diametrically opposed conclusions.
An effectuation of the Christian worldview would dispense with the class struggles caused by the divisions of the materialists. The struggle between management and labor would be smoothed over by following the scriptural guidelines for masters and slaves. There could be no racism, because scripture only recognizes one race – the human race. The struggle between men and women ceases when men and women recognize and fulfill their God-given roles within the family, and live as one complete unit. The divisions caused by the Religious Secularist denies Biblical standards of good and evil remain to the extent that secularism is present in the culture, but as the Christian worldview becomes more effectual the influence of secular humanism will win. Finally, there will probably always be divisions within Christendom, however, these divisions are a result of wrong doctrine. Though Christians are as guilty of interpreting scripture based on their presuppositions, the more the Christian worldview captures the church the more Christians will reconcile differences within the church. When you are willing to admit that you are starting with presuppositions then you are willing to examine those presuppositions to determine their validity.
Look around you, the struggle at work between management and labor, the struggle between the so-called races permeates the culture, the feminist movement has elevated the struggle between men and women to levels never before seen in history. None of this has come about by accident. One of the most prolific authors, disseminating the materialistic worldview of Marxism through his writings on history was Charles Beard. He purposely de-emphasized the Biblical influence on the founding of America, and tainted the character of the founders.
It is important to point out the fallacy of neutrality. To apply the providential view of history to your interpretation of history you must presuppose that the Christian God is the one and only true God and that He has revealed himself in the pages of Holy Scripture. The Christian must not shrink from this admission, for it is true. The materialist, or Marxist, must presuppose that the only thing that matters is matter. Just as the Christian has not scientifically proven the existence of God and the truth of the Bible, the materialist cannot scientifically prove the truth that matter is all there is.
Moving forward under the presupposition that God is sovereignly in control of history you can interpret history based on this truth. Any view of history that denies the sovereignty of God must of necessity distort the facts of history. Everyone has the same basic facts to deal with when interpreting history, but a Christian thinker will interpret history based on God's Providence, while the Marxist will interpret the same facts based on materialism. Compare this to evolution. The Christian sees millions of fossils buried in mud and interprets that as evidence of a great flood. The Marxist sees millions of fossils buried in mud and sees that as evidence of the survival of the fittest. Same facts, same evidence, but diametrically opposed conclusions. It is the same with historical facts. A Christian thinker reads the First Amendment to the Constitution and sees God, by His supreme authority over both church and state, distinguishing the authority that is be exercised by the church from the authority that is to be exercised by the state. The Marxist reads the First Amendment to the Constitution and sees a repudiation of God's authority over the state. Same facts, same evidence, diametrically opposed conclusions.
An effectuation of the Christian worldview would dispense with the class struggles caused by the divisions of the materialists. The struggle between management and labor would be smoothed over by following the scriptural guidelines for masters and slaves. There could be no racism, because scripture only recognizes one race – the human race. The struggle between men and women ceases when men and women recognize and fulfill their God-given roles within the family, and live as one complete unit. The divisions caused by the Religious Secularist denies Biblical standards of good and evil remain to the extent that secularism is present in the culture, but as the Christian worldview becomes more effectual the influence of secular humanism will win. Finally, there will probably always be divisions within Christendom, however, these divisions are a result of wrong doctrine. Though Christians are as guilty of interpreting scripture based on their presuppositions, the more the Christian worldview captures the church the more Christians will reconcile differences within the church. When you are willing to admit that you are starting with presuppositions then you are willing to examine those presuppositions to determine their validity.
Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary is the Christian's Standard for Understanding the Founding Era
A man has accomplished much when he earns approval from Englishmen for his work, over the work of an Englishman. That is what Noah Webster was able to accomplish. The excellence of Noah Webster's work is the reason he surpassed Samuel Johnson as the premier lexicographer in world history. His commitment to applying a Christian worldview to every area of life is the reason for the excellence of his work.
Noah Webster was defining the characteristics in his life at the same time that America was being birthed. The events that take center stage always define the leaders who emerge in any time and place in history, no matter the course that they choose to travel. Noah Webster's dictionary incorporates the three main principles that defined Noah Webster's life activities. It manifests a Christian worldview, a Christian philosophy of government, and a distinctly Christian philosophy of education.
Mr. Webster saw, with the rise of a new form of government, which necessitated new modes of life, ideas, laws, and institutions, a need for new words, new uses and new standards for words. There was already emerging a great difference between American English and its predecessor in England. Noah understood that just as America had replaced the chains of British tyranny in her government, she must replace the corrupted standards of the British language.
What Noah Webster understood, that is lost on most Americans in the 21st century, is that every area of life and thought is influenced by the worldview that predominates in a society. British culture had long discarded Christianity as the standard for government and language. In his Master's thesis from Yale College, in 1781, he wrote, “This country must in some future time, be as distinguished by the superiority of her literary improvements, as she is already by the liberality of her civil and ecclesiastical constitutions.”
A centerpiece of His lexicography was the principles that he advanced concerning change and immutability. He shifted “standard usage” from the literati to the common man. He recognized that authors and writers were more prone to increase the use of modish, capricious improprieties in language than the common man. This was especially true of the American common man, because he was nothing like the illiterate peasants of England. America's common man was well educated. He read a newspaper weekly, as well as the Bible, sermons, treatises on the Christian religion, ethics, geography, and history.
Four things lifted Noah Webster to preeminence as a lexicographer for his time. One, he surpassed Samuel Johnson, England's leading lexicographer, by 12,000 words with his dictionary, and that was after he eliminated about two thirds of the vulgar words of Johnson. Mr. Webster's selection of words set it apart from British English, in that his selection of words related to the distinctly Christian form of government, view of liberty, property, and the individual. Two, he believed that the etymology of all meanings could be found in one fundamental idea. Three, He maintained a high standard of purity in language. Lastly, He placed American authors, such as Washington, Adams et. al. on par with British authors.
The 1828 Webster Dictionary is a great source for understanding the founding era. His commitment to applying a Christian worldview to all areas of life are demonstrated throughout his writings. His writings on politics reveal his understanding of the Biblical model of republicanism. His text books unwrap his commitment to a distinctly Christian education. Finally, the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary confirms his dedication to applying a Christian worldview to language.
It is the opinion of the staff at Christian Worldview of History and Culture that every Christian family should own a copy of the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary. Therein you will find Biblical definitions applied to American English. The 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary is your source for understanding the writings of the founders, as they were in large part the standard for the use of language as Noah Webster recorded it.
Noah Webster was defining the characteristics in his life at the same time that America was being birthed. The events that take center stage always define the leaders who emerge in any time and place in history, no matter the course that they choose to travel. Noah Webster's dictionary incorporates the three main principles that defined Noah Webster's life activities. It manifests a Christian worldview, a Christian philosophy of government, and a distinctly Christian philosophy of education.
Mr. Webster saw, with the rise of a new form of government, which necessitated new modes of life, ideas, laws, and institutions, a need for new words, new uses and new standards for words. There was already emerging a great difference between American English and its predecessor in England. Noah understood that just as America had replaced the chains of British tyranny in her government, she must replace the corrupted standards of the British language.
What Noah Webster understood, that is lost on most Americans in the 21st century, is that every area of life and thought is influenced by the worldview that predominates in a society. British culture had long discarded Christianity as the standard for government and language. In his Master's thesis from Yale College, in 1781, he wrote, “This country must in some future time, be as distinguished by the superiority of her literary improvements, as she is already by the liberality of her civil and ecclesiastical constitutions.”
A centerpiece of His lexicography was the principles that he advanced concerning change and immutability. He shifted “standard usage” from the literati to the common man. He recognized that authors and writers were more prone to increase the use of modish, capricious improprieties in language than the common man. This was especially true of the American common man, because he was nothing like the illiterate peasants of England. America's common man was well educated. He read a newspaper weekly, as well as the Bible, sermons, treatises on the Christian religion, ethics, geography, and history.
Four things lifted Noah Webster to preeminence as a lexicographer for his time. One, he surpassed Samuel Johnson, England's leading lexicographer, by 12,000 words with his dictionary, and that was after he eliminated about two thirds of the vulgar words of Johnson. Mr. Webster's selection of words set it apart from British English, in that his selection of words related to the distinctly Christian form of government, view of liberty, property, and the individual. Two, he believed that the etymology of all meanings could be found in one fundamental idea. Three, He maintained a high standard of purity in language. Lastly, He placed American authors, such as Washington, Adams et. al. on par with British authors.
The 1828 Webster Dictionary is a great source for understanding the founding era. His commitment to applying a Christian worldview to all areas of life are demonstrated throughout his writings. His writings on politics reveal his understanding of the Biblical model of republicanism. His text books unwrap his commitment to a distinctly Christian education. Finally, the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary confirms his dedication to applying a Christian worldview to language.
It is the opinion of the staff at Christian Worldview of History and Culture that every Christian family should own a copy of the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary. Therein you will find Biblical definitions applied to American English. The 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary is your source for understanding the writings of the founders, as they were in large part the standard for the use of language as Noah Webster recorded it.
A Christian Worldview; What is it and Why do I Need One?
Some non-believers see the Bible as a collection of myths and fairy tales. Others view it as a collection of moral precepts to be held up with other great religious works. Many Christians look at the Bible as a blueprint for how to order the spiritual compartments of their life. The Christian who sees his faith as relevant to all of life and culture is in the process of developing a Christian worldview.
Marshall Foster says there is no dichotomy between the sacred and the secular. If Jesus is Lord then everything is sacred. If, as Revelation 4:11 says, all things are created by Him and for His will's sake, there is nothing outside the compass of His instructions. To state this simply, every area of life must align with the principles revealed in His holy word. When the Christian orders every area of life with the word of God that is a Christian worldview.
The dirty little secret is that everyone has a worldview, whether he realizes what his worldview is or not. A worldview is the system of thought one utilizes to make decisions in life. The worldview that one adheres to determines how he will act and react in his daily life. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that everyone has a blended worldview. To truly please God it is incumbent upon the Christian to be constantly adjusting his worldview to fit scripture. The thing that is often more difficult is the application of Biblical principles to each unique situation in life. This requires wisdom, and a multitude of counselors. In other words, Christian, do not try to go it alone. Lean on God and His word, and commune together with other Christians who are seeking to understand His word through His wisdom, peeling away all philosophies that are foreign to scripture.
There are grave consequences when alien philosophies are added to a Christian worldview, or when it is divorced from any realm. When business is not ordered by Biblical standards you can never be sure of the quality or integrity of a contract made. When a Christian worldview is excluded from recreation the result is a morally debauched fare for the choosing. The American government illustrates the problem with replacing Christ as King; legalized murder, theft, and an attempt to force false doctrines on the church. Replacing a distinctly Christian education with secular philosophy results in an illiterate culture and an exodus of the youth from the church. When Biblical principles do not reign in all areas of life men and women replace the one true living God with a false god, resulting in lost souls going to hell.
Religion is not merely an individual pursuit. When your worldview strays from Biblical principles the affect does not merely affect your life, but it affects all of culture. The Christian develops a Christian worldview by “...bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ...” (II Cor. 10:5). Every Christian will admit that he is responsible to participate in the fulfilling of the great commission If the Christian does not have his mind renewed by the word of God he can not “teach all nations..to observe all things, whatsoever I [Jesus] have commanded you...” (Matt. 28:19 – 20).
Marshall Foster says there is no dichotomy between the sacred and the secular. If Jesus is Lord then everything is sacred. If, as Revelation 4:11 says, all things are created by Him and for His will's sake, there is nothing outside the compass of His instructions. To state this simply, every area of life must align with the principles revealed in His holy word. When the Christian orders every area of life with the word of God that is a Christian worldview.
The dirty little secret is that everyone has a worldview, whether he realizes what his worldview is or not. A worldview is the system of thought one utilizes to make decisions in life. The worldview that one adheres to determines how he will act and react in his daily life. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that everyone has a blended worldview. To truly please God it is incumbent upon the Christian to be constantly adjusting his worldview to fit scripture. The thing that is often more difficult is the application of Biblical principles to each unique situation in life. This requires wisdom, and a multitude of counselors. In other words, Christian, do not try to go it alone. Lean on God and His word, and commune together with other Christians who are seeking to understand His word through His wisdom, peeling away all philosophies that are foreign to scripture.
There are grave consequences when alien philosophies are added to a Christian worldview, or when it is divorced from any realm. When business is not ordered by Biblical standards you can never be sure of the quality or integrity of a contract made. When a Christian worldview is excluded from recreation the result is a morally debauched fare for the choosing. The American government illustrates the problem with replacing Christ as King; legalized murder, theft, and an attempt to force false doctrines on the church. Replacing a distinctly Christian education with secular philosophy results in an illiterate culture and an exodus of the youth from the church. When Biblical principles do not reign in all areas of life men and women replace the one true living God with a false god, resulting in lost souls going to hell.
Religion is not merely an individual pursuit. When your worldview strays from Biblical principles the affect does not merely affect your life, but it affects all of culture. The Christian develops a Christian worldview by “...bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ...” (II Cor. 10:5). Every Christian will admit that he is responsible to participate in the fulfilling of the great commission If the Christian does not have his mind renewed by the word of God he can not “teach all nations..to observe all things, whatsoever I [Jesus] have commanded you...” (Matt. 28:19 – 20).
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