History is the continuous, systematic narrative of past events as it relates to a particular group of people, country, period, person, etc. (Dictionary.com). We should note that since history has its place in everyone’s life, it is inevitable that there will be many versions of mankind’s systematic narrative. Many of those narratives are influenced by the varying perspectives of those who are telling or writing the story at that time. For instance, did you know that there are some who say that there were only 12 original colonies?
We were taught from elementary school and into higher education that there were 13 original colonies that lead the revolt against Britain. This has become a part of our narrative in America and we accept it. Most of us never saw the need to challenge this information because someone of authority, a teacher perhaps, taught this to us. It was repeated over and over and over and over and over again… until we believed it, never questioned, and took it for a fact.
Here is one version of history about the “Thirteen Original Colonies”:
When the rebellion initially began against Britain, there were actually only 12 colonies. Delaware wasn’t included in this number because it wasn’t a legal colony yet. Originally founded by the Dutch, it was a territory that was controlled by New York, and then went back and forth between Maryland & Pennsylvania. Ownership of Delaware finally landed in the hands of William Penn (the owner of Pennsylvania) and it remained apart of PA until the Revolutionary War. Delaware was actually called “The Three Lower Counties” and it wasn’t dubbed Delaware until 1776, which was well after the start of the American Revolution (1765) (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014).
Why the mathematical error? There may be a plethora of reasons why however, let’s just go with timing… The American Revolution began in 1765 and during this time there were a number of political and social movements that led to the actual American Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783). Since “The Three Lower Counties” officially changed their name to Delaware in 1776, which was after the rebellion but during the revolution, we can gather this is the reason it was included with the original 12 colonies as the plus one colony, hence making it the “Thirteenth Colony”. Some would say that information is not a big deal and is just a technicality; however, others would say it could be considered to be a bit deceptive. There are many other variances of our American narrative i.e. America’s wasn’t actually independent until after the American Revolutionary War ended and the Treaty of Paris signed on September 3, 1783, Betsy Ross never designed and sewed the first American flag and it still remains a mystery who did. Another twist in history, Abraham Lincoln efforts to free the slaves weren’t so much that he was against slavery; in fact his concerns had nothing to do with slavery. In his own words in a letter to Horace Greeley, his primary concerns were to save the Union:
“My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union” (Lincoln, 1862).
Clearly by his words if Lincoln could have saved the Union without abolishing slavery he would have done so and of course our American Narrative would be a very different story today! Again, these are just a few examples of man’s account of American History and of course if we study human history worldwide we will see many stories or narratives. I am in no way implying that man’s account of history is not relevant to our lives because of its has many apparent flawed “facts”, on the contrary it is very important. I am only stating that since our perceptions of history can be warped by flawed “facts”, we should be very careful how we perceive man’s account of his own history. It is crucial that we understand what God wants us to know about what really happened as opposed to the various versions of what happened. As Believers, we should be seeking the truth about how we arrive to a place and study not only man’s history but what God is saying about said events.
The definition of truth is the quality or state of being true, a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true; the real facts about something (Merriam-Webster.com). “… ) Also in biblical terms, truth is described as “that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God (Grace to You, 2009). Truth is also declared to be the way things are according to how God sees it or as He has made it.
Our history is very important not only because it gives us details of our past it also is the primary tool in which God speaks to us. God uses historical events to fulfill Biblical prophecy! This fact is very foreign to most Believers because the Body of Christ has been dumbed down and refuses to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Instead of being students of scripture, we are students of vain philosophies that are designed by the enemy to keep us trapped in this world’s mindset and of course will only lead to our own destruction.
So we should all be asking ourselves… Why should I be concerned about past and current events in mankind’s history?
Until Next Time…. Be on the watch for PART II!
VMarie aka Thr33
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If My Words Could Speak 