A presidential proclamation in honor of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Va., whose settlers were dispatched from England with the primary goal of furthering the Christian faith, doesn't mention Christianity, and the leader of a group working to have that history accurately portrayed is troubled.
"America looks to our leaders in moments of historic importance to remind us of our foundations as a free people. Historically American presidents have taken the opportunity of the celebration of Jamestown to point out that this experiment in liberty was first dedicated to God," said Doug Phillips.
He is president of Vision Forum Ministries and the founder of the Jamestown Quadricentennial: A Celebration of America's Providential History, Vision Forum's own series of events to celebrate the quadricentennial June 11-16...
"Capitalists corporately as a group are, it is safe to say, never altruistic."
Agree, just as workers aren't collectively altruistic either; they have often conspired with business against the public in lobbying for things like auto-part domestic content laws. All parties, being sinful, tend to have interests prejudicial towards themselves. That is why equitable (IMHO Biblical) business law is vital if capitalism is not to degrade into Russian-style corporate gangsterism, where "justice is the interest of the stronger" (Plato).
Although the profit motive was certainly involved, Jamestown was more an example of chartered statist merchantilism than what we normally think of as free-market capitalism. Such colonies were founded to be a source of raw materials for home, & a market for finished products. Trade with other colonial powers was illegal. With respect to rivals, this system was in effect a form of warfare, which explains the numerous shooting wars it fomented.
And as for "poor Christians," I wonder if we are really any better.
One has to remember the people of Jamestown weren't all that great Christians, as a group. They were good capitalists and poor Christians. I suppose this is why the Puritans were more highly respected than these people. Jamestown was an important part of American history, however, ask any Indian or Black. Jamestown should have been an example to native Americans about poor immigration policies.
"Until Christians from the pulpits to the pews once again show their faith is of first foremost importance and of greatest passion to them we simply cannot expect the world around us to value what they see isn't in the churches."
A-men Brother !!!
It is a blind and stupid people who allow their TRUE HISTORY to be tossed aside and lies put in ITS PLACE !!!
What Michael Hranek said above IS SO TRUE !!!
If we were really living what it is that we say we BELIEVE, on the whole as a nation, we wouldn't be in the state of moral shipwreck we find ourselve today... just going from bad to worse...
"COMPROMISE" has become a most coveted friend and men perceive not that it is a toxicly infectious foe.
What should be said of a people that will not **STAND TOGETHER** on the side of RIGHT (RIGHTEOUSNESS) and make it KNOWN that ENOUGH IS ***ENOUGH*** ???
"IN GOD WE TRUST" ??? -- From the looks of things in this country that is no more TRUE than if the Devil said it himself...
Hipocrisy ??? This nation and this people are the epitome of the word...
AB'-BAH - FATHER - GOD ALMIGHTY - this is a people that will not HEAR. A people without excuse... who speak of TRUTH yet will not SHOULDER IT !!!
Sometimes I just want to shout at... I don't know... the ACLU, maybe. And say, 'This is all your fault! What are you so afraid of? It's benign history, for Pete's sake. You treat it like some kind of genocide that you're trying to sweep under the carpet.' And they're doing it and causing it to be done everywhere. But, sadly for them; we know why that is.
You're absolutely right, Michael Hranek, as regards what's needed; the shame is, what you can get is everything from the ridiculous to the sublime, across the pulpit.
Yes, Neil. I believe I remember you mentioning Mr. Baxter. His treatise on Self-Denial is a treasure.
Publican, The Albert N. Martins are rare these days. Or said another way there are not many preachers who fear God and preach His Word with passion and let the chips fall where they may.
And the few there might be are often sabotaged by their own congregations or denominations, too often being left high and dry - abandoned to face the assult of the devil alone, or if they are a layman by their pastors.
It is truly an evil time we are in with much to lead us to compromise, for example many Free Presbyterians are mourning over the recent actions of the beloved Ian Paisley who has stood so strong in the past and now gives us the painful example even one who has stood strong can be pressured whatever to back down, to compromise.
Until Christians from the pulpits to the pews once again show their faith is of first foremost importance and of greatest passion to them we simply cannot expect the world around us to value what they see isn't in the churches.
I gather, Neil, that you read some of the same material that I do. It seems that there was a time when preachers from different denominations would share pulpits without fear. But I guess that was when we knew the essentials would be proclaimed rightly. It still astounds me that so many preach 'another gospel, which is no gospel.'
This is a part of church history which is outside the "comfort zone" of modern churches (assuming history interests them at all). I have a theory as to why: invidious comparisons to churches of the past might become apparent.
It is nothing less than heartbreaking to see our leaders, in spite of the rich and innumerable blessings bestowed on this land, at the hand of our Lord, to repeat that lamentable denial in the words of Peter; 'We know not the man.' Is there no fear of God?
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Jamestown should have been an example to native Americans about poor immigration policies. 
barry from ky from northern ky: "well, i don't see what the problem here would be,..."
