For a reminder of the history and significance of Thanksgiving, I hope you will read this interview with Dr. Stephen McDowell, president of Providence Foundation and prolific author, who reminds us of the true story of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving.
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The Stand: What is the greatest threat today to the truth
about the Pilgrims and their history?
McDowell: While some books and educators directly lie about
the Pilgrims and their primary Christian motive for starting a new colony in
America, the greatest threat to the truth about their story is what is left out
when their story is told.
Revisionist
history gives a false picture of these devoted Christians. For example, one
elementary public school textbook gives 30 pages to present the story of the
Pilgrims without once [making] any reference to religion; thus at the end of
[the Pilgrims’] first year, they “wanted to give thanks for all they had.” But
there is no mention it was God they were thanking.
Teaching
about the Pilgrims without referencing God causes people to think that
Christianity was not important to them. Revisionist history is a primary reason
for the secularization of America. People are taught our history without
mentioning Christianity, or if it is cited, it is often presented in a negative
light, when in reality it is the most important influence in the birth, growth,
and development of the nation.
The
Stand: Why do some contemporary educators revise U.S.
history, particularly the story of Thanksgiving?
McDowell: Most teachers in our schools today are ignorant of
the true story of Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims. They never learned it in
school and few search out primary source documents so as to get to know the
Pilgrims via their own writings.
William
Bradford, governor of the Pilgrims for 33 years, wrote their history -- Of Plimoth Plantation -- which is one of the great historical and literary works of all American history, but few teachers have even heard of it, much less read it. You only need to read a few pages to see the sincere and deep faith of these men and women who served as "stepping stones" for those who would follow.
Some
educators who know the history yet ignore it, evaluate the Pilgrims through
their own secular bias – that is, the Pilgrims may have had a deep faith, but
God is a construction of the human mind and consequently is not relevant, so
they do not need to mention God when recounting their story. Or they have such
a dislike for God that they do not want to give Him any place in history.
The
Stand: Why is it important that we remember and pass on
the truth about the Pilgrims?
McDowell: The Pilgrims’ story teaches us many lessons. We
learn of the great sacrifice they paid to exercise their freedom of religion
and to plant the early seeds of our nation. Half of them died the first winter
after arriving at Plymouth, and most of the others suffered from sickness and
hunger. At one time, only six or seven could get out of bed, but they toiled
night and day to assist their brethren.
In
the words of Bradford they “fetched them wood, made them fires, dressed their
meat, made their beds, washed their loathsome clothes, clothed and unclothed
them. In a word, they did all the homely and necessary offices for them which
queasy stomachs cannot endure to hear named – and this willingly and
cheerfully, without any grudging in the least.” Their care for one another
reveals their Christian character and practical love, “a rare example and
worthy to be remembered.”
Their
motive to spread the gospel is evident from Bradford’s words (which are
inscribed on his monument in Plymouth): “A great hope and inward zeal they had
of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way thereunto, for the
propagating and advancing of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in those
remote parts of the world.”
The
Mayflower Compact, a document the Pilgrims drafted and signed before going
ashore, shows their ability to reason biblically regarding civil affairs:
“Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith
… [we] do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and
one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body
politic.”
Learning
the unique covenant nature of our founding political documents is an important
lesson in understanding why America was founded as the freest nation in history.
The
Stand: What is the most important aspect of the
Thanksgiving story that parents can teach their children?
McDowell: The most important thing parents can teach their
children about the Thanksgiving story is the most obvious: We call it
Thanksgiving for a reason. Our Pilgrim forefathers, who are reflective of most
of the founders of America, were firmly devoted to Almighty God and His Son
Jesus Christ. In recognition of His gracious hand upon them, they set aside
regular public days to give thanks and glorify Him.
This
was not done merely once or twice but regularly throughout their entire
lifetime. They set an example that was followed by those who came after them,
even up until today. Throughout most of our history, Americans understood
thanksgiving days were to thank God. The Pilgrims’ love and devotion to God,
and their reliance upon Him in abundance and lack, are evidenced not only by
their private lives but also by their public days of thanksgiving.
This
Thanksgiving, I hope you will keep the real Thanksgiving story alive in your
children and grandchildren. I also hope that you will join me and my family as
we follow the example of our Pilgrim forefathers in making it a special day of
praise to God.
I suffered and was ashamed.