The First Thanksgiving: The Back Story

The First Thanksgiving

Of Plimoth Plantation by William Bradford

“In this precious volume…is told the noble, simple story ‘of Plimoth Plantation.’ In the midst of suffering and privation and anxiety the pious hand of William Bradford here set down in ample detail the history of the enterprise from its inception to the year 1647. From him we may learn ‘that all great and honourable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be both enterprised and overcome with answerable courages.'” (Roger Wolcott, Governor of Mass., 1897)
The First Thanksgiving
“The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth”
by Brownscombe

What American isn’t familiar with the story of the Pilgrims? Well, I think MANY Americans don’t know the whole story, and some people nowadays talk as if it’s nothing but a legend or exaggeration of what really happened. Of Plymouth Plantation is an account that should be required reading in every American high school, as well as one that every American Christian should be familiar with.

There are only two primary sources which give firsthand accounts of the landing of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving: Bradford’s History (written in 1647) and Mourt’s Relation, attributed to Edward Winslow (published in 1622). Mourt’s Relation (named after the publisher) describes only the events of the first year, from the landing at Cape Cod in November 1620 until the following November. It’s interesting to look at this comparison of the two accounts we have of the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth.

Continue reading “The First Thanksgiving: The Back Story”

Liberating the Nations: Can a Nation Ever Truly by Free?

Liberating the Nations: Biblical Principles of Government, Education, Economics, & Politics by Stephen K. McDowell & Mark A. Beliles

“To the degree that nations have applied the principles of the Bible, is the degree to which those nations have prospered, been free, and acted justly.”

With all that has been happening in our country and local communities in 2020, one of the questions being asked is: which is of greater value to us as a society – freedom or safety/security? Can we have both, or must one be sacrificed for the sake of the other? One of my favorite books for youth that I’ve written about is The Giver by Lois Lowy, a book that explores this dilemma.

Liberating the Nations is another book that I believe is relevant and helpful in today’s climate. The questions explored and discussed in this book are essentially:

  1. Is it possible for a nation to be really free?
  2. What is a Christian Nation?
  3. Can such a thing ever exist, and if so, how is one to be built?
Continue reading “Liberating the Nations: Can a Nation Ever Truly by Free?”

The First Thanksgiving: The Back Story

The First Thanksgiving

Of Plimoth Plantation by William Bradford

“In this precious volume…is told the noble, simple story ‘of Plimoth Plantation.’ In the midst of suffering and privation and anxiety the pious hand of William Bradford here set down in ample detail the history of the enterprise from its inception to the year 1647. From him we may learn ‘that all great and honourable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be both enterprised and overcome with answerable courages.'” (Roger Wolcott, Governor of Mass., 1897)

The First Thanksgiving
“The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth”
by Brownscombe

What American isn’t familiar with the story of the Pilgrims? Well, I think MANY Americans don’t know the whole story, and some people nowadays talk as if it’s nothing but a legend or exaggeration of what really happened. Of Plymouth Plantation is an account that should be required reading in every American high school, as well as one that every American Christian should be familiar with.

There are only two primary sources which give firsthand accounts of the landing of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving: Bradford’s History (written in 1647) and Mourt’s Relation, attributed to Edward Winslow (published in 1622). Mourt’s Relation (named after the publisher) describes only the events of the first year, from the landing at Cape Cod in November 1620 until the following November. It’s interesting to look at this comparison of the two accounts we have of the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth. Continue reading “The First Thanksgiving: The Back Story”

America: a Christian Nation, Like it or Not

One Nation Under God by Dr. David C. Gibbs

Book-OneNationUnderGod-JerryNewcombe-FrontCover-275x423“Although traders, explorers and businessmen also had a hand in the founding of America, historical revisionists cannot erase the fact that the first people who founded colonies in this land were primarily religious nonconformists.”

 

The statement, “America is a Christian nation,” has become very controversial. One reason this is so is because I think people interpret what it means to be a Christian nation in different ways. I think most of us would agree that what we aren’t saying by that term is that we believe the majority of citizens are Christians. But another reason this statement is controversial is because secular historical revisionists have been on a mission for quite some time to suppress, distort, and completely erase, if possible, all evidence of the religious foundation of this country. In One Nation Under God, David Gibbs, President of the Christian Law Association, sets forth “Ten Things Every Christian Should Know about the Founding of America.” In his Forward to the book, Dr. D. James Kennedy asserts,

There is no doubt that this is a nation which was built upon the Christian faith — that the Lord, indeed, was the God of this nation, that it was founded upon the principles of God’s Word, upon the teachings of Christianity, and for the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ.

Continue reading “America: a Christian Nation, Like it or Not”