Enjoy Early American History?

Do you enjoy early American history? If so, then I encourage you to check out and bookmark these three early American history blogs...

American Revolution & Founding Era (written and administered by yours truly)

American Revolution Blog (founded by my good friend Brad Hart, with a few contributions from yours truly - but mostly the work of Brad, which makes it a great blog!)

American Creation (a group blog focused on the cultural and religious aspects of America's founding -- yours truly being one of several contributors)

Happy New Year!

To all my family, friends, and readers....allow me to wish you a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year's!

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." -3 John 1:2

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If you haven't done so already, please bookmark my new pastoral blog...

www.PastorTubbs.com

Thanks, Grandpa

From December 16, 1944 through mid-Jan 1945, Allied forces resisted a heavy German offensive in what became known as the "Battle of the Bulge." This was the most serious and determined offensive launched by the Germans on the western front, following the successful Allied D-Day Normandy landings in June of 1944.

Initially successful, the German attack would eventually be thwarted by stubborn Allied resistance.

Right in the thick of the fighting was a young, newly married James Gibson -- my grandfather! An infantry sergeant, my Grandpa would win the Silver Star for bravery during this action.

Thanks, Grandpa, and thanks to all U.S. World War II veterans for what you did for our country!

Merry Christmas!

To all my family, friends, and readers....Merry Christmas!! Have a safe, happy, and enjoyable Christmas!

Consolidation of Blogs

Hey Everyone,

In the interests of consolidation, focus, and time management, I'm not going to be posting on this blog very much.

This doesn't mean I'm stopping my writing. Far from it. :-) It just means I'm consolidating.

My theology and ministry-related articles, blog posts, etc. will be housed at PastorTubbs.com, Protestantism at Suite101.com, and Olney Baptist Church.

My history-related stuff will be at American Revolution & Founding Era blog, with a few contributions being made at American Creation and American Revolution as well.

And most of my personal blog posts will shift to my new site...www.BrianTubbs.com.

But...heads up...at THAT site (www.BrianTubbs.com), my focus is more toward a secular, mainstream audience.

The main reason is...I'm going to try to get a motivational speaking and writing business started on the side. Kind of my "tent-making" ministry. Recall that the Apostle Paul made tents to supplement his ministry income. I need to do something similar, as my wife and I are trying to pay down some debts, build up savings, and make a move out closer to Olney, Maryland (where I currently pastor).

To be clear...our needs are met and God has truly blessed us these last few months. Compared to our situation six months ago, God has definitely answered our financial prayer requests! We have no complaints. It's just that we're setting new goals as we look ahead, goals that we believe are consistent with what God wants for our family.

So...with that in mind...I will be developing a personal brand and "platform" in the area of personal development (leadership training, communication skills, self-esteem, etc.) and pursuing opportunities to write for print publication and speak at organizations. This will be a part-time thing, as my primary focus (which right now is easily 50 or more hours a week) is on Olney Baptist Church. But, given the fact that the folks at OBC want us to move from Northern VA to the Olney area, it's something I need to do.

If you want to hear my take on theology, ministry, etc., stay tuned to PastorTubbs.com and the Olney Baptist Church site (which is currently being developed).

I will still occasionally post here, but not nearly as much. My main focus will be on the above sites.

Just wanted you to know where to find me, as my posts here will get more scarce.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Shame on The History Channel

The History Channel has cozied up to one of the most deplorable and (dare I say it) dishonest "historians" in all of American history. On December 13, The History Channel will air "The People Speak."

The program "The People Speak" is inspired by Zinn's flagship "textbook" titled A People's History of the United States. I'm absolutely livid over this decision. The History Channel no longer deserves to have the word "history" associated with it, after this decision!

To be fair, the tagline of "The People Speak" is catchy and true. "Democracy is not a spectator sport." Well said!

What's more, Zinn does shine a light on the "little guy" of history, and has done much to illuminate some of the conditions and challenges faced by certain pockets of everyday Americans in the course of U.S. history. Had he stopped there, his legacy would have been positive and worthwhile. But, Zinn doesn't stop there.

It isn't enough to simply spotlight everyday Americans - sometimes Americans that have suffered in the shadows. And, again, shining this spotlight is noble. I have no problem with that. Only praise. But Zinn doesn't stop there. He takes it further, begins to bend the truth, push the boundaries, and advance his own agenda. An agenda that he admits is "radical."

In his own words, Zinn says of his journey to Marxism: "I was no longer a liberal, a believer in the self-correcting character of American democracy...I was a radical, believing that something fundamental was wrong with this country…something rotten at the root.”

Well, let me be clear...

The United States of America is not the Kingdom of God. It is not a perfect or holy nation. There have been terrible wrongs and injustices committed within the U.S. and by the U.S. government over the course of its history. As a former history teacher, I never hid away these facts or denied them. The list of America's transgressions includes (but is not limited to) slavery, segregation, the Trail of Tears, sweat shops employing 5 and 6 year old kids, legalized abortion, etc.

The presence of sin in the world insures that any nation made up of sinners (which describes every nation in the world) will commit sins. The USA is no exception. The United States has not always done the right thing. Sometimes, the US government has done terrible things.

Because of this, I cannot say that Howard Zinn and those of a like mind (such as Naom Chomsky) are always wrong. Some of the sins they point out in our nation's past are true. And, I'll be the first to say that it IS beneficial to, at times, cast history's eye at the "little guy" and not always at the "Great Man." (Zinn rejects the "Great Man" approach to history, preferring to focus his lens from the bottom up).

Having said all that...no nation in the history of the human race has been founded on ideas and principles in the way the United States was in the summer of 1776. (The only exception to this would be ancient Israel, which was directly founded by God). America's Founding Fathers based the United States not on geography, but on principles.

Were those principles perfectly lived up to - even then? Of course not, but they formed a baseline sense of purpose, destiny, and aspiration. Indeed, the aspirational nature of America's founding is what inspired not only the Founding Fathers, but later generations of great leaders. Contrary to what leftists like Zinn argue, it was these principles that inspired and powered the greatest reforms in American history. Our nation has progressed, not by rejecting its past, but by seizing the best of its past and living UP to it!

The United States of America is not a perfect nation, but it is one of the noblest nations ever to have existed. It has, on balance, been a force for good in the modern world. And those of us who live in the United States should count that as one of our greatest blessings.

Regardless of all that the Howard Zinns of the world have to say, I am still proud to be an American!

Speech on America's Founders

This past October, I had the privilege of speaking to the Olney, Maryland Republican Women's Club on the subject of the role of religion in America's founding.



When preaching from the pulpit, I steer clear of partisanship. I never encourage a congregation to vote for a particular party or candidate. I don't believe God should be pigeonholed that way. However, in this video, I was speaking to a Republican organization, and I felt it was okay for me to "let my hair down a bit" and show my Republican colors. (I say that with all due respect and affection to my many Democrat friends and relatives. :-) ).

If you believe a political speech will cause you offense, then feel free to skip this one. If not, then I hope you enjoy it.