Contradictory Ideas

U.S History is full of heroes and villains… as well as figures who might qualify as both! We’re nearing the start of the American Civil War in 11th grade, and the students are often thunderstruck by the contradictory ideas and people which populate the early and middle 1800s. For instance, I could tell the students were surprised to learn that abolitionists were not necessarily for equal rights—that one could still be prejudiced, bigoted, or condescendingly paternal, while advocating the abolishment of slavery. I told them that people 100 years from now might look at our views as surprisingly contradictory or hypocritical, so we shouldn’t be quick to judge. As Christians, we must first LEARN from the men and women of history, and not initially jump to critique them. We should honor them by allowing them to critique us first—they are, after all, are forefathers and foremothers, and thus deserving of respect. We are their children, and we are bound to partake of their glory and of their shame. Thank God for Jesus, our Savior, who is not a respecter of persons!

Mr. Poe

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Topics: 11Eleventh Grade
Date: Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 1:08 pm