Cedric Moss
10-30-03, - 12:57 AM
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Ignoring History – Part 2
By Apostle Cedric Moss
Today I conclude my commentary on our nation ceasing to celebrate October 12th as Discovery Day in favour of a National Heroes Day holiday on the same date.
Why October 12th?
Perhaps it was shared and I missed it but I’m still wondering why the historically rich date of October 12th was chosen as the holiday to be eliminated in favour of National Heroes Day. Choosing this date seems to have been an easy decision. Perhaps it is related to the ongoing comments that ridicule the idea of Columbus happening upon an island with inhabitants on it and then laying claim to having “discovered” it. In my view, while it is true Columbus did not discover San Salvador and the New World in a legal sense, he did do so in the historical sense in which his discovery is understood. And for this reason it is significant and the date ought to have been left alone.
Perhaps the Discovery Day holiday was ceased because it is not disputable that Columbus’s arrival to San Salvador resulted in the tragic exploitation and eventual extinguishment of the Indians and facilitated European domination of the New World. On this point, I get the impression that some are more concerned with trying to take revenge for those atrocities by demolishing the Discovery Day holiday than they are about celebrating national heroes. I might be wrong on this, but it is the impression I get. And if I’m right, it is a double tragedy. First of all, ceasing the Discovery Day holiday does not undo the darkness directly and indirectly related to Christopher Columbus. And second, I believe our national heroes deserve better than being celebrated on a date that is now controversial for the very reasons I have put forward.
God’s Providence
Scripture is full of so many assurances that God Almighty exercises His supreme providence in the affairs of men and nations. Simply put, God does not leave us to ourselves and He works out His eternal purposes (see Psalm 103:19) in a time space world. He did this in the watershed event of October 12, 1492.
The Bible Book of Isaiah has numerous prophetic references about the islands of the sea in the purposes of God, and the Bahamas, like other islands, would be included in these references. In his book, Paradise Restored, David Chilton makes the case that, more than finding a new trade route, a major part of Christopher Columbus’ motivation in his expedition was unfulfilled prophecy regarding the islands of the sea. According to Chilton, “before he began his expeditions, Columbus crammed his journals with quotations from Isaiah and other Biblical writers that referred to the islands of the sea in which he detailed prophecies that the Great Commission to disciple all nations of the world would be successful…He figured that if the Indies were to be converted, a sea route would be a much more efficient way to bring them the gospel; and he credited his discoveries not to the use of mathematics or maps, but rather to the Holy Spirit, who was bringing to pass what Isaiah foretold.” (Paradise Restored, pages 6-7). I find it significant that Columbus recognized and credited the Holy Spirit for his discoveries. In doing so, he acknowledged God’s providence in history and we should too.
Beyond Columbus
To my mind, Columbus’ initial landing in this archipelago we call home is no accident. Behind it is God who, although transcendent, is also immanent and He demonstrates it by His involvement in the affairs of man. So when we consider October 12th, we need to look beyond Columbus to a providential God. Therefore, I’m not trying to make any case for celebrating Columbus. My case is about a providential God who in the midst of history tells His Story. And if we ignore His Story, we might very well negate our history.
The Bahamas in Prophecy
An emerging Bahamian Prophet, Micklyn Seymour, has produced a booklet entitled, “The Bahamas in Prophecy”, and I recommend its reading. While I do not agree with everything in the booklet, I do agree with the bottom line conclusion: Just as God sovereignly chose the nation of Israel around 1492 B.C. to bring glory to His name, He has similarly chosen this nation around 1492 A.D. Now this should humble and not puff us up because, just as the Lord often reminded Israel, we did not and can never deserve to be chosen. I don’t quite know what all this means or entails. But I do know this: He has chosen us as nation. And October 12th reminds us of His choice. Let’s not ignore it.
Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Comments and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org (apostle@kingdom-life.org).
Ignoring History – Part 2
By Apostle Cedric Moss
Today I conclude my commentary on our nation ceasing to celebrate October 12th as Discovery Day in favour of a National Heroes Day holiday on the same date.
Why October 12th?
Perhaps it was shared and I missed it but I’m still wondering why the historically rich date of October 12th was chosen as the holiday to be eliminated in favour of National Heroes Day. Choosing this date seems to have been an easy decision. Perhaps it is related to the ongoing comments that ridicule the idea of Columbus happening upon an island with inhabitants on it and then laying claim to having “discovered” it. In my view, while it is true Columbus did not discover San Salvador and the New World in a legal sense, he did do so in the historical sense in which his discovery is understood. And for this reason it is significant and the date ought to have been left alone.
Perhaps the Discovery Day holiday was ceased because it is not disputable that Columbus’s arrival to San Salvador resulted in the tragic exploitation and eventual extinguishment of the Indians and facilitated European domination of the New World. On this point, I get the impression that some are more concerned with trying to take revenge for those atrocities by demolishing the Discovery Day holiday than they are about celebrating national heroes. I might be wrong on this, but it is the impression I get. And if I’m right, it is a double tragedy. First of all, ceasing the Discovery Day holiday does not undo the darkness directly and indirectly related to Christopher Columbus. And second, I believe our national heroes deserve better than being celebrated on a date that is now controversial for the very reasons I have put forward.
God’s Providence
Scripture is full of so many assurances that God Almighty exercises His supreme providence in the affairs of men and nations. Simply put, God does not leave us to ourselves and He works out His eternal purposes (see Psalm 103:19) in a time space world. He did this in the watershed event of October 12, 1492.
The Bible Book of Isaiah has numerous prophetic references about the islands of the sea in the purposes of God, and the Bahamas, like other islands, would be included in these references. In his book, Paradise Restored, David Chilton makes the case that, more than finding a new trade route, a major part of Christopher Columbus’ motivation in his expedition was unfulfilled prophecy regarding the islands of the sea. According to Chilton, “before he began his expeditions, Columbus crammed his journals with quotations from Isaiah and other Biblical writers that referred to the islands of the sea in which he detailed prophecies that the Great Commission to disciple all nations of the world would be successful…He figured that if the Indies were to be converted, a sea route would be a much more efficient way to bring them the gospel; and he credited his discoveries not to the use of mathematics or maps, but rather to the Holy Spirit, who was bringing to pass what Isaiah foretold.” (Paradise Restored, pages 6-7). I find it significant that Columbus recognized and credited the Holy Spirit for his discoveries. In doing so, he acknowledged God’s providence in history and we should too.
Beyond Columbus
To my mind, Columbus’ initial landing in this archipelago we call home is no accident. Behind it is God who, although transcendent, is also immanent and He demonstrates it by His involvement in the affairs of man. So when we consider October 12th, we need to look beyond Columbus to a providential God. Therefore, I’m not trying to make any case for celebrating Columbus. My case is about a providential God who in the midst of history tells His Story. And if we ignore His Story, we might very well negate our history.
The Bahamas in Prophecy
An emerging Bahamian Prophet, Micklyn Seymour, has produced a booklet entitled, “The Bahamas in Prophecy”, and I recommend its reading. While I do not agree with everything in the booklet, I do agree with the bottom line conclusion: Just as God sovereignly chose the nation of Israel around 1492 B.C. to bring glory to His name, He has similarly chosen this nation around 1492 A.D. Now this should humble and not puff us up because, just as the Lord often reminded Israel, we did not and can never deserve to be chosen. I don’t quite know what all this means or entails. But I do know this: He has chosen us as nation. And October 12th reminds us of His choice. Let’s not ignore it.
Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Comments and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org (apostle@kingdom-life.org).