Winter 2009

Totomundo

[the whole world]

Jan-Feb

Vol. 2, Is. 1

Doing History for the Glory of God Does the Bible have anything to say about the academic study of History? Does a Christian have anything unique to offer the field of historical studies compared to a scholar writing from another view? If so, how does a Christian “do history” for the glory of God? Is Church History the only kind of history in which God’s character and presence in the world has been displayed? Or, do political, artistic, and technological histories have stories to tell about our great God and King? To answer these questions, one must have an idea of Christianity as a total worldview. Francis Schaeffer often exclaimed, God’s truth is “true truth.” He meant that the worldview found in the Bible and in Jesus, over all other worldviews, best accounts for all of reality. A conscious application of a biblical worldview to history involves four areas: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. These four areas make up the essential components of a worldview.

Likewise, the cyclical pattern of history in Eastern traditions does not account for the obviously purposeful view of human history described in the Bible. Despite the common experience of “history repeating,” the biblical view is that history truly is linear, not cyclical. As Christian students and teachers, we must beware of unconsciously building on a false metaphysical base of impersonal determinism or meaningless cycles. Also, the Christian who is researching the past, whether the subject is explicitly religious or not, should give ample thought to what lies beyond the physical subject matter he or she is addressing always keeping the infinite-personal God, as revealed in Scripture, at the center.

Many history textbooks look with skepticism upon the impact of Christian beliefs and thought on historical events, like the founding of the American Republic. For example, consider the “inalienable rights” described in the Declaration of First, let’s discuss the metaphysical aspects of “The worldview found in the I n d e p e n d e n c e . O n e historical inquiry. Metaphysics is the answer to historian may emphasize these two questions: What is real? and, What is Bible and in Jesus, over all other the deism of Jefferson the nature of reality? So if God, humans, and the worldviews, best accounts for all and the apparently earth exist, metaphysics still asks what kind of of reality.” humanistic origin of his God exists, what are humans in essence, etc. (borrowed) phrase. Another historian may link History is greatly impacted by the underlying metaphysical this concept to the stream of Reformation principles beliefs every historian carries with him or her. Beliefs about coming down from British Common Law, founded on the the origins and purpose of the universe affect historical existence of a Law-giver who has endowed His imageinvestigations and accounts. bearers with inherent dignity and rights. More often still, historical accounts which should include the activity of God The particular philosophy of history one uses is a and his people are summarily deleted from the story. One metaphysical issue. For example, a historian may look at textbook may have a chapter on the Great Awakening of events in a very mathematical fashion, more in tune with a the 18th century. Another may have just one sentence. mechanistic or naturalistic view of the universe. People This is metaphysical bias at its worst. and events and dates are merely cogs in the machine of history, jumbled together in a deterministic way to produce The second dimension of historical inquiry is epistemology, inevitable results. Or, he may read into history patterns and the study of knowledge. Epistemology answers the cycles which are more in line with an Eastern religious questions: How do you know what you know? And, What view of the universe – history repeats itself, without amount of confidence can we have about our knowledge? exception. Epistemology has been the focus of recent conflict within The Bible does not allow for a completely deterministic history. The conflict has centered around the well-known view of history. The historical accounts in Scripture concern “revisionist” theory, which has both positive and negative real people and take place in a personal universe under aspects. Revisionist history does allow for free inquiry into the holy and loving reign of an infinite-personal God. the historical status quo, cultivating new interpretations that Humans are agents in the world, and exercise freedom may actually be closer to the truth than commonly held and choice underneath God’s sovereignty. assumptions. One bright example has been David

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Totomundo

Jan-Feb Vol. 2 Is. 1

Doing History for the Glory of God cont. McCullough’s resurrection of John Adams as perhaps the central character on the stage of the American Revolution. The detrimental side of revisionist theories is that they have led some so-called historians to deny the existence of major events, like the Jewish Holocaust. Although this example is rather extreme, some of these theories have become wildly popular. For instance, Dan Brown’s goddess-worshiping version of Christian history can still be found in bookstores worldwide.

But, the biblical worldview does ground historical methods of inquiry in our image-bearing capacity for reason and in the logical order of the natural world. The physicianhistorian Luke displayed this kind of epistemic confidence when he wrote the following introduction to his history of the life of Jesus: “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” (Lk. 1:1-4).

The root problem with revisionism is that it is set on a relativistic base. It does not accept any criteria or guidelines for establishing the validity of any claim and any proposed criteria are quickly dismissed. The revisionist may operate out of pure skepticism, but the raging “...the biblical worldview sea of perpetual doubt will historical never land us on the fixed [ g r o u n d s ] methods of inquiry in our shore of certainty (James 1:6). image-bearing capacity for

Luke provides some first steps toward a Christian epistemology: (1) multiple sources, including eyewitnesses and even the personally invested, are sufficient for trustworthy evidence; (2) close examination is required, for the truth will not always obvious in a fallen world; and (3) an orderly reason and in the logical be Now, history is not a account is a fit vehicle for the narrative to make c o m p l e t e l y s c i e n t i f i c order of the natural world.” sense to the reader. The historian can investigate endeavor. We can’t use the the past with integrity through these kinds of scientific method or repeatable experimentation to pin methods. The results will be knowledge that is absolutely down a historical theory. “By the standards of science, it true, however finite it may be. We can therefore make makes a lousy laboratory,” says Wilfred McClay. “But the conclusions about our research with substantial problem is, it is all we have. It is the only laboratory confidence, even to the point of forming penetrating available to us for assaying the possibilities of our human critiques and serious moral applications. This feeds directly nature in a manner consistent with that nature.” That is the into the ethical questions that face historians. key phrase. The revisionist says that perpetual skepticism is the manner consistent with our nature. The Bible The third realm of inquiry is the ethical realm. We have disagrees. already touched on some ethical ideas in the first two realms. Historians have a moral responsibility with regard Scripture provides a balance of epistemic inquiry that sees to metaphysical bias and epistemic integrity. What is left to human knowledge as substantial, but not exhaustive. This be said? Well, the historian plays another ethical role in balance replaces the revisionist’s skepticism with a the area of assigning moral judgments, implicit and explicit, humble, yet confident footing. In fact, this balance to the subjects he or she is writing about. Whether his provided the catalyst for the modern scientific revolution thesis is to vilify some historical figure, or he is just leaving which began with Isaac Newton. While early scientists like a vague sense of disgust about a character while claiming Newton understood they could never know exhaustively, moral neutrality, the realm of ethical judgment is powerful they took confidence from the existence of a transcendent and relevant to the Christian historian. Law-giver, who gave such order to His universe that substantial knowledge of it could be obtained through The Christian may immediately feel the pull to condemn the careful study. unrighteous and vindicate the godly of the past. This is a natural instinct which is often inversely shared by nonToday, however, the relativist denies all absolute truthChristians, especially atheists. However, these ethical claims, and to an extent we can understand his frustration. pronouncements are a great opportunity to display sincere The plurality of truth-claims we face is overwhelming. How civility. Christians indeed have a duty to uphold the can anyone, including a historian, say with any certainty reputation of godly men and women throughout history. We that something has truly happened? The scientific method, should be grateful for the special role that church historians useful in many other situations, does not apply to history. play in this regard, yet the arm of fellowship should be

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Totomundo

Jan-Feb Vol. 2 Is. 1

Doing History for the Glory of God cont. extended to historical characters and events which are not “sacred” or church-related, but do display goodness and aspects of true humanity. As Christians, we are called to cultivate, draw out, and emphasize true humanity whenever possible.

In addition to being an aspect of a subject, the research, study, writing, and composition itself is an opportunity for beauty (or ugliness). The historian has a wonderful role to play as painter of human nature, covering his canvas in a way that is fitting to the medium. This task calls for creativity, diversity in methods and forms, and opens up a Christian historians have a responsibility to hold up their world of possibilities. Evangelicals too often cringe at these subjects to the light of God’s Word and see what shines concepts because of their unswerving commitment to and what does not. This is the opportunity to paint human absolute truth and the authority of God’s Word. Instead of nature in a way that is in tune with the biblical balance: cringing, we must grow in our appreciation of the diverse mankind is noble, but fallen. We cannot fall into extremes forms of beauty in God’s good creation. In general here, in either our individual revelation we find the spectrum judgments or in the body of our of light as it passes through the work. As Christians, we are called to cultivate, changing phases of water (a We see nebulae, draw out, and emphasize true humanity rainbow!). For example, the student of galaxies, worlds without Nazi Germany may come away whenever possible. Christian historians number, apparently created for from his studies with incredible have a responsibility to hold up their the pleasure of God alone. In despair over the realities he is subjects to the light of God’s Word and special revelation we find the facing. Mechanized murder. amazing story of God’s Sterilized ethnic-cleansing. Will see what shines and what does not. relationship with mankind, told to Power. These are very real through a diversity of literature: and deserving of our moral condemnation. But generally psalms, narratives, parables, visions, letters, and more. speaking, the Christian must be careful in the body of his And all of them are history! work to paint both sides of human nature. Even in the darkest of moments there have been slivers of light and Finally, the historian must impart his vision of beauty in a beauty. form that is fitting. He must be winsome in argument, colorful in illustration, and civil in all moral This is not naïve optimism, but an absolute necessity in pronouncements. These efforts will make historical today’s academy, which is driving thousands of young endeavor deeply personal, taking the names and dates off Christians from zealous faith into abject despair. This the dusty shelf and animating them into an unforgettable unbalanced emphasis on the fallenness of mankind is often and intimate encounter. held by believers who have held to the self-deprecating extreme and thought that such attitudes were increasing “...we must grow in our appreciation admiration for the holiness and grace of God. I wish it were of the diverse forms of beauty in the case. More often, the absence of any inherent dignity in God’s good creation.” mankind, rooted in the image of God, has driven believers to despair of life itself. It is my hope that the academic field of history will be This leads directly into the fourth and final category of greatly impacted by a generation of Christians who inquiry, that of aesthetics. Aesthetics answers the question: consciously apply a biblical worldview to history– who see What is beautiful? The realities of beauty and ugliness are the God-centered purpose of human history, the hope of recurrent subjects in historical study. In a world that says substantial certainty in inquiry, the both noble and fallen “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” the Christian nature of its subjects, and the wonderful diversity of its historian has an awesome responsibility to show forth a form. And, may God receive all the glory. standard of beauty in the subject matter of his work. The basic litmus test for absolute beauty is whether the subject -Jason Shaw, Louisville, KY accords with what is True and what is Good. For example, a courthouse that is aesthetically pleasing on the outside Jason has a B.A. in History and Religion from Florida State may be home to gross injustice on the inside. In this case, University and is currently researching PhD programs in despite subjective appeal, this courthouse could never be history and communicating with potential PhD mentors. He truly beautiful. is also working on an MA in Theology at Southern Seminary.

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