One Blood
“Oh, give THANKS to the Lord, for He is
good! For His mercy endures forever.”[1]
Recently, I’ve come to realize I’ve lived a somewhat sheltered life
with regards to Thanksgiving. Oh, I’ve learned of our nation’s history
and read some of the pilgrim’s writings, yet my research, until now, has been
from the settler’s point of view.
Quite by accident, I came across an article from the website: http://Indians.org. The author, Thomas A. Ferguson, called our white,
European American idea of the first Thanksgiving a view
“…based on the mythological concept and approach Western minds have when
dealing with the various Native Populations.”[2] He paints an extremely condescending
and contemptuous picture of the Pilgrims assuring us the Native American does
not view this holiday with the same love and fervor we do.
Mr. Ferguson touts the civility and honor of Native Americans. He
states, “We learned from the wisdom of our elders to thank the Creator for;
Mother Earth... Father Sky...Grandfather Moon... our Uncles the Four Winds...our
Cousins the Stars, and...our Brothers and Sisters the animals.” This writer
goes on to explain, “The Algonquins believed that humans were not distinct from
or superior to nature, but rather part of nature. We also believe that animals
could take human form.” They thank the strawberry, the tree spirit, and “…honor
the animal spirit, who laid down its life in order for the people to go on…It
is said, when the Creator created the Universe, ‘He placed his hand on the
Whole thing... so everything is spiritual.’”[3]
I don’t doubt the natives were civil, moral, and honorable according
to their culture. But, did you recognize this as nature worship? It originated
at the tower of Babel and spread to all parts of the world when God confounded
the languages and then divided the earth in Peleg’s generation[4]. This religion has continued
for millennia with only territorial revisions. It sounds beautiful and
spiritual because it is inspired by the angel of light, Satan.[5] Yet, it’s contrary to
God’s Holy Word and will not lead the worshiper to salvation.
When God completed His creation, He did say it was very good.[6] But then, SIN happened. Now,
every human born from Adam is born with a sin nature.[7] God “…has made from one
blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has
determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so
that they should seek the Lord…”[8]
From one blood? God created Adam. From Adam He formed Eve. Then, from
these two all humans were born. Different gene combinations create different
skin tones, body types and facial features. But ONE BLOOD – HUMAN – tainted with SIN.
Sin inspires arrogance – one people group believing they are superior
to another. The result: The idea the so called
inferior group is less than human. This thinking is the epitome of evil.
All atrocities perpetrated upon mankind are the product of SIN.
So do I see tragedy in our Nations’ history of control and enslavement
of Native Americans and African Americans? Yes, absolutely. Yet, I also see the
good Almighty God has produced from each tragedy.
The Lord brought salvation to this continent because of His great love.
Today we see born-again humans of all colors and ethnicities. This is God’s
true church. In it He is pleased to embrace and inhabit exuberant or quiet praise
and thanksgiving.[9]
God created us from ONE BLOOD. He chose the time in which we live and where.
Can we by political correctness and apology change the anger the Native or
African American feels about their respective histories? No, but the gospel
can. Receiving Jesus changes the heart and where a person spends eternity. So,
let’s give God thanks AND spread the Gospel. Sin will try to
hinder, but you overcome it with good.[10]
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