Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples, and Middle East Peace

It’s been quite a week celebrating Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples, and Middle East Peace including the release of the remaining Israeli hostages from captivity. 

Also, Erika Kirk received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on behalf of her deceased husband, and last weekend thousands of believers “broke bread” on a mile-long “Communion Table” on the D.C. Mall.

Let’s examine what is true about these important events.

Truth is always based on evidence.

Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples, and Peace in the Middle East

When I think about knowing what’s true, several Scriptures come to mind. 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

All truth centers in the Person of Jesus who possesses more evidence for his life and teaching than any individual in history. Jesus said:

 “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31,32).

He emphasized studying well and holding onto his teaching. A disciple is a “learner” by definition. When we seek to discover truth, its rightness and power sets us free in all areas of life. Finally: 

“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160).

I determined decades ago to make the Bible my spiritual, moral, and historical compass. It contains perfect truth about reality. I must measure everything by the principles in God’s Word.

Another key point: truth is always based on evidence. It’s not blind, pie-in-the-sky, believe whatever you want to believe. If something is true, then actual evidence will point to it. Thus the Old Testament idea of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15) and the Western (biblical) practice of using evidence in court to determine guilt or innocence.

This “discovery” in a fallen world is never perfect because human beings make mistakes and certain confirming evidences can be missed. But we believe in due process. 1) Find out as many facts as possible. 2) Lay them out clearly and honestly, and 3) Believe what the evidence reveals (the truth).

For many years, I taught “The Conscience of a Christian” in various parts of the world. It was such an important topic that I turned it into the book Restoring America’s Conscience. It reveals that human beings can develop a “seared conscience” through unbelief and disobedience (1 Timothy 4:2).

When that happens, evidence makes very little impression upon you. You believe what you want to believe. The facts don’t move you to change your position.

That’s an extremely dangerous path because your hardened heart/mind blinds you to the truth.

Now let’s apply these ideas to current events. 

Columbus Day

It’s worth celebrating in America because Christopher Columbus was a man of faith who sailed across the ocean for the glory of God, and whose courage and vision led to the establishment of the greatest biblically-based nation in history–the United States of America. 

Columbus had his faults (as we all do), but his strengths far out-weighed them in discovering the New World. 

For a marvelous set of facts about Columbus’ important role in world history, please read “Christopher Columbus and the Birth of the Modern World” by Rod Martin.  (He’s one of my favorite thinkers.)

Here are some excerpts:

Columbus is accused of “ending paradise.” But what did he actually end? He ended the isolation that kept both hemispheres’ peoples impoverished and parochial. He ended a technological and commercial segregation that shackled human advancement. He ended the Middle Ages in Europe, expanded the physical and intellectual horizons of millions, and helped birth the modern world.

Because Columbus sailed, a civilizational exchange unlike any before it was set in motion. The Columbian Exchange eventually sent crops, animals, ideas, technologies, and people back and forth across the Atlantic. It made possible the rise of nations in the New World that would, in time, proclaim and protect the rights of man. It created the conditions for the American experiment, which — despite our sins and struggles — has been, aside from salvation, the greatest blessing to the greatest number in the history of the world.

Indigenous Peoples

The past administration ignored Columbus Day and did all they could to promote “Indigenous Peoples Day” every October. Why? Because of their disdain for America’s godly heritage and desire to create a secular state.

Native peoples in America prior to and after the 16th century were no different than primitive peoples worldwide for thousands of years (including my savage German ancestors). They had many cultural strengths (due to general revelation) because they were made in God’s image. But lacking biblical “special revelation,” most lived in cultural darkness including constant warfare, human torture, child sacrifice, cannibalism, and poverty.

They also owned slaves (like many others)–which today’s history books fail to mention.

Please take time to read Dr. Paul Kengor’s “Indigenous Slavers: American Indians Who Whipped and Owned Blacks” for a an honest perspective on indigenous peoples. 

We should honor all the good aspects of peoples that preceded us. But Christopher Columbus uniquely changed the world for good–and should be celebrated. 

Middle East Peace

The State Department argues that President Trump ended seven wars in seven months–and just completed the eighth–an amazing peace accord between the Palestinians (Hamas) and the nation of Israel. How touching it was to see the remaining hostages united with loved ones after two years in terrorist hell. 

No one can honestly argue about Trump’s record. The fast accomplishment of these diplomatic victories is unprecedented. And the final victory–Trump’s 24-hour whirlwind to Israel and Egypt to sign the peace accord, accompanied by various world leaders–is a stupendous accomplishment.

He should have been a shoo-in for the Nobel Peace Prize.

But the Norwegian group has a seared conscience. The evidence of Trump’s triumphs made no impression on them.

Here’s the main reason. It’s not that they dislike him for his flamboyant past or bellicose temperament. No, the primary reason for the secular world’s hatred comes from his strong commitment to renew the biblical foundations in America and beam that light around the world. 

The heart of this Administration was most clearly seen in the array of national leaders who talked about God/Jesus at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.

It was like an American tent revival. 

Satan hates Donald Trump for delaying his plans to destroy faith in America. So do many others (world leaders, secular media and academia etc.) who’ve allowed the demonic world to sear their consciences.

As I stated in a former post, President Trump is Resetting the World.  Like it or not, that’s reality. 

President Trump said in Jerusalem:

“This is not only the end of a war. This is the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God… It’s the start of a grand concord and lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a truly magnificent region. I believe that so strongly. This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”

What Trump has accomplished short term is probably best summed up by Newt Gingrich in “The President of Peace.” Gingrich lays out the truth based on evidence.

It’s the same with Columbus Day, indigenous people, honoring Charlie Kirk, and Communion Table on the Washington Mall.

Don’t miss the revival of truth God is bringing to the USA and the world.

His truth march includes you.